The cottage comes complete with all the latest tourist information brochures and suggested excursions for your stay. There is an almost limitless amount to do, from cultural visits to all sorts of sports and outside activities. The owners are more than happy to discuss itineraries including good lunch spots! The nearest town Kinross with its Loch is about 10 minutes drive. Perth is about 20 minutes and Stirling and Edinburgh can easily be reached within an hour (half an hour on a good run!).

A selection of things to do:

(Historic Scotland do a great short term visitors pass which is extremely good value if you want to visit various local attractions including Edinburgh and Stirling Castles, Loch Leven Castle and boat trip.

Sight-seeing

Edinburgh

Stirling (Castle, Wallace Monument)

St Andrews Perth (Scone Palace, races)

Falkland Palace

Kinross House and Gardens

Loch Leven Castle and boat trip

Blair Atholl and Hermitage Woods

Routes up to Gleneagles,

Crieff (Crystal Factory, Whisky tours)

Dunfermline Abbey

Walking

The cottage is surrounded by great walking territory looking out on the Ochil, Cleish and Lomond Hills. There are books in the cottage suggesting walks for all levels and time spans. Not to be missed is the walk up to or around nearby Castle Campbell or for those wishing to go slightly further afield the Trossachs. A particular favourite is the new path around Loch Leven. A flat gravelled route this can be combined with visiting Loch Leven Castle or made into a days outing in itself stopping off at the Larder for lunch and a rest.

Golf

There are numerous golf courses nearby including the championship courses of Gleneagles and St Andrews. The three most local courses all welcome visitors and can supply clubs.

Cycling

The cottage is surrounded by numerous quiet country roads linking into the Fife cycle network. From May 2007 new paths open up around Loch Leven specially designed for cycling/walking/pushchairs. A keen cyclist herself, the owner will happily advise on routes. (From summer 2009 the path round the Loch has now been extended to Vane Farm Bird Sanctuary. A fabulous route with watering holes!)

Horse-riding

There are numerous local stables all tried out personally!. For treking we can highly recommend the Glendevon treking centre over the summer months. For the more serious, book a lesson at Gleneagles or try their cross country course.

Off Road Driving

The Scottish Off Road Driving Centre is in the nearby Gateside village. Equally locally try the Glendevon Off Road Centre or Gleneagles where there are miniature Landrovers and a course for children.

Fishing

Loch Leven in Kinross offers trout fishing as does Gartmorn Dam Country Park (01259 214319).

Gliding/Microlighting

The Scottish Gliding School is on the Loch at Scotlandwell. They offer facilities for experienced pilots but also taster sessions.

A micro-light school is to be found at Balado airfield between the cottage and Kinross

Ski-ing

Nearby Tillicoultry has a dry ski slope (120m) and offers all the usual lessons, hire etc. (01259 751772) Alternatively there is a bigger slope in Edinburgh, the snow dome in Glasgow or the real thing up at Glenshee (approx 2 hours), Aviemore etc

Bird Watching

The RSPB's Vane Farm Bird Sanctuary is just down the road on the shores of Loch Leven with spectacular walks and views over the Loch.

Cinemas/theatre

Perth and Dunfermline both have cinemas within 20 minutes drive. The Stirling Macrobert centre also has a cinema and very good creche running during daytime viewings. There are theatres at Perth, the Macrobert centre and of course Edinburgh.

Children

With young children themselves, the owners can offer plenty of advice. There are plenty of parks and soft play centres which you can add into your itineraries to distract any little ones. Recommended are Craigton Park (towards St Andrews), Blair Drummond Safari Park, Deep Sea World (towards Edinburgh), and the Deer Park. Baby sitting can be arranged if required.

Leisure Facilities

The local sports centre in Kinross has a pool, gym, squash courts etc. Opposite is the new Kinross High School with a climbing wall, badminton courts, mirrored dance studios and library all open to the public.There are tennis courts in the local village.

Shopping

The nearest supermarket (Sainsbury's) is in Kinross. Openning hours are 8 to 10 Monday to Saturday and currently 10-6 on Sundays. Tesco's do deliver, which can be handy. Perth, Edinburgh and Stirling are all good for shopping.

Eating Out

There are plenty of local restaurants and take-aways. Details are in the cottage. If in Kinross try the Kirklands (left at the mini "Sands" roundabout), the Green Hotel further along or the Grouse and Claret at the Dobbies roundabout before you get into Kinross.