Local Attractions

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Braco Hotel</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Braco Hotel"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U>About Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Accommodation and Rates"><U>Accommodation and Rates</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Typical Menu"><U>Typical Menu</U></A>   |   <B>Local Attractions</B>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Location"><U>Location</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="02ad2c00dkelyh.png"> <div> <IMG SRC="0a8a4190.jpg" border=0 width="420" height="281" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Local Attractions</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>From golf to falconry, hill-walking to motor racing, history to fishing, the Braco locale offers a wealth of pursuits for all, and we are sure that there will be something to suit everyone. </B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Golf</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>In the immediate viscinity, we have the world renowned Gleneagles Golf Courses less than ten minutes away by car.  Now the home of the Scottish Professional Golf Association, The Kings, the Queens, the PGA Centenary and the "Wee" course offer some of the best golfing, as well as some of the most spectacular scenery, in the world.  A round on one of these courses is a must........</B></I></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.gleneagles.com/golf/index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gleneagles.com/golf/index.htm"><U><I><B>http://www.gleneagles.com/golf/index.html</B></I></U></A><I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT></div> <div> <I><B>The resort also offers everything from Horse riding at the Mark Philips Equestrian Centre, clay pigeon shooting at the Jackie Stewart Shooting School, and off road driving</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>The nearby "City" of Dunblane offers an excellent challenge to golfers at the Dunblane New Course.  This 5878 yard course has a SSS of 68 and bookings can be made directly with the club professional, Bobby Jamieson on 01786 823711 ( fax : 01786 825946 ).  Please mention our website when booking.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>There are also courses at Crieff, Muthill, Whitemoss, Comrie, Stirling, Dollar,  and Muckhart to name but a few, offering varying degrees of difficulty, and with varying charges.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Falconry</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Braco hosts the Falconry Centre at the Gardner's Cottages at Braco Castle.  Here, under the supervision of  Adrian and Lynn Halgarth, you can learn the art of Kings, with a variety of birds of prey.   This unusual sport is growing in popularity and is suitable for all ages</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Bookings can be made directly on 01786 880539</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Fishing</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>The fishing in Scotland is second to none, and Perthshire has more than it's fair share of excellent rivers and lochs which can be fished in varying degrees of availability.  You are bound to be hooked by something that we have to offer </B></I></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ilos.co.uk/anglingout.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ilos.co.uk/anglingout.htm"><U><I><B>http://www.ilos.co.uk/anglingout.htm</B></I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Something Wild ???......</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Fancy a day out in the wild ?   The Blair Drummond Safari Park is located on the main road between Stirling and Doune and is very clearly signposted.  For more details, please see the website </B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><A HREF="http://www.safaripark.co.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.safaripark.co.uk"><U><I><B>http://www.safaripark.co.uk</B></I></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <I><B>There is also the Auchengarroch Wildlife park on the Comrie road, some fifteen minutes drive from the hotel at which a variety of animals and birds from artic foxes to pinemartins, and peacocks to owls can be seen and fed. This is a great location for a day out with the kids and is a favourite for the local schools for outings</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Something Ancient ????........</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Well, ignoring the fact that some of the "regulars" to our bar  fall into this category, the entire area is steeped in history.  The village itself is located beside the site of the Roman Fort at Ardoch which was build by the Roman army over 1,700 years ago, and is considered to be one of the best preserved military earthworks to be found in the Roman Empire.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>The camp is believed to have been built in the governorship of Julius Agricola who was sent to govern Britain in the year 77AD.  There is no known website for the Ardoch Fort, but it is within five minutes walk from the hotel.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B>A little more up to date, we have the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 in which William (Braveheart) Wallace turned King Edward's army back "to think again".  His memory lives on with the Wallace Monument  which stands high over Stirling and offers spendid views over the Carse and the Ochills.   More information is available on </B></I></FONT><I><B> </B></I><A HREF="http://www.braveheart.co.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.braveheart.co.uk"><U><I><B>http://www.braveheart.co.uk</B></I></U></A><I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B>After Wallace's death in 1304, his successor, Robert the Bruce, turned back the "Auld Enemy" again in 1314 at one of Scotland's more famous battles, Bannockburn.  There is a heritage centre at Bannockburn which is well worth a visit  </B></I></FONT><A HREF="http://www.robert-the-bruce.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.robert-the-bruce.com/"><U><I><B>http://www.robert-the-bruce.com/</B></I></U></A><I><B>  </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>During the summer months, there is an excellent guided tour of Stirling, hosted by some "spectres of the past".  The Stirling Ghost Walk introduces you to various characters of ill repute, including hangmen, body snatchers, and murderers.  With the tour"guides" dressed in period costume, it gives a great insight on Stirling of old, as well as giving you an entertaining walk around some of the parts of Stirling that you may not normally see.</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>There are two tours nightly and children are more than welcome (often becoming very involved !!!)</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>For more information, please email HeritEvent@aol.com</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Back to Braco, and in 1842 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Ardoch Parish and this is commemorated by their initials and the date carved on a stone at the side of the road near the village..........a free pint to those that find it ( limited to one pint per annum in true Scottish style !!!!)</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>