The Gardens and surroundings at Appletree self-catering Cottage
Part of the private garden at Appletree Cottage
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Garden
Appletree has its own spacious garden which is mostly laid to lawn with ample space for playing games.. The cottage is supplied with boules and badminton sets for the kids as well as hula hoops. Outside there is ample space on the gravel drive for parking four cars with further space on the private parking bay beyond the gate. |
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Herb Garden
Guests are welcome to make use of herbs from the herb garden they may require for cooking at the cottage. Herbs include mint, sage, rosemary, chives, oregano, thyme and parsley - when in season. |
The Herb Garden
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A gentle ramp runs up to the front door of Appletree Cottage
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Wheelchair ramp
At the front door entrance there is a gentle ramp from the gravel drive up to the front door. Thereafter, for wheelchair users staying in the downstairs bedroom there are no steps up or down as the bedroom, bathroom, living area and patio are all on the one level. For further information about accessibility click below |
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Terrace / Patio
The large south facing patio gets sunshine for most of the day. Complete with dining table and chairs the patio is accessed through a large glass sliding door from the living area. From the patio it is possible to see about 4 miles across Cameron Muir. The views are stunning whatever the weather. |
The patio faces south in this autumnal view
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South face of Appletree Cottage showing the patio and (open) sliding connecting door
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Parking
There is ample parking for four cars with further parking available beyond the gates.. Trailers can be accommodated (with notice) and cycles can be stored in one of our barns - again with a bit of notice given. In the past we have also accommodated a collection of fantastic Harley Davidson motor bikes and on another occasion a fourteen foot boat on a trailer. The space is very flexible. |
Ample parking space for four cars at Appletree Cottage
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Cottage surroundings
The single track road outside the cottage is quiet and mostly used for occasional farm traffic and local inhabitants. There is little if any through traffic, which makes it pleasant to walk along.
Heading towards Croftamie village it is possible to join the old railway line (part of cycle route seven) which after passing through the village crosses a spectacular viaduct over the river Endrick. After joining the West Highland Way the route climbs gently to a plateau from which one has fantastic views across Loch Lomond and its Islands. After about an hour the walk ends in Drymen Village where real ales can be sampled in the three village pubs.
Heading away from Croftamie the road passes the former residence of Sir Hugh Fraser of Frasers Department Stores and follows; the Catterburn before a junction with the forest road. Turning left and following this road through the gates the route becomes a great loop road through the forest. As the track rises great views can be had to the north up Loch Lomond towards the Arrochar Alps and Ben Lomond.
There are many other walks in the area and the owners are only too happy to talk guests through them.
Also, Walk Highlands is a great website for planning walks: www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochlomond/
The single track road outside the cottage is quiet and mostly used for occasional farm traffic and local inhabitants. There is little if any through traffic, which makes it pleasant to walk along.
Heading towards Croftamie village it is possible to join the old railway line (part of cycle route seven) which after passing through the village crosses a spectacular viaduct over the river Endrick. After joining the West Highland Way the route climbs gently to a plateau from which one has fantastic views across Loch Lomond and its Islands. After about an hour the walk ends in Drymen Village where real ales can be sampled in the three village pubs.
Heading away from Croftamie the road passes the former residence of Sir Hugh Fraser of Frasers Department Stores and follows; the Catterburn before a junction with the forest road. Turning left and following this road through the gates the route becomes a great loop road through the forest. As the track rises great views can be had to the north up Loch Lomond towards the Arrochar Alps and Ben Lomond.
There are many other walks in the area and the owners are only too happy to talk guests through them.
Also, Walk Highlands is a great website for planning walks: www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochlomond/
Appletree cottage is on a quiet back road which serves as both the John Muir Way and Sustrans Cycle Route 7. Despite the rural aspect the cottage is handy for accessing Stirling and Glasgow
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This is the quiet, pretty road leading to Appletree Cottage which is also part of the John Muir Way and Sustrans Cycle Route 7
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The John Muir Way
Appletree Cottage lies on the John Muir Way which commemorates Dunbar born John Muir (1838-1914) the man who started the National Parks movement in the United States of America. Known as John of the Mountains and Father of the National Parks he was responsible in the creation and protection of Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Parks as well as many other wildernesses.
The John Muir way runs from Dunbar on the east coast, south of Edinburgh, across Scotland to Helensburgh on the west coast, passing by the door of Appletree Cottage. More can be found out about the John Muir Way here: johnmuirway.org
Sustrans Cycle Route 7
As well as forming part of the John Muir Way, the single track road passing the cottage is also part of National Cycle Route 7.
Cycle route 7, part of the sustains system is over 600 miles (966 km) and runs from Sunderland in the north east of England all the way to Inverness in the north of Scotland. There are quite a few cyclists pass by on the quite road outside the cottage but it is unknown how many of them are completing the entire route!
Apart from cycle route 7 there are many other journeys to explore on a bike as the many single track quite backroads are ideal for cycling - and offer great vistas whilst doing so.
Bicycle storage can be arranged in one of the barns with a little notice.
Appletree Cottage lies on the John Muir Way which commemorates Dunbar born John Muir (1838-1914) the man who started the National Parks movement in the United States of America. Known as John of the Mountains and Father of the National Parks he was responsible in the creation and protection of Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Parks as well as many other wildernesses.
The John Muir way runs from Dunbar on the east coast, south of Edinburgh, across Scotland to Helensburgh on the west coast, passing by the door of Appletree Cottage. More can be found out about the John Muir Way here: johnmuirway.org
Sustrans Cycle Route 7
As well as forming part of the John Muir Way, the single track road passing the cottage is also part of National Cycle Route 7.
Cycle route 7, part of the sustains system is over 600 miles (966 km) and runs from Sunderland in the north east of England all the way to Inverness in the north of Scotland. There are quite a few cyclists pass by on the quite road outside the cottage but it is unknown how many of them are completing the entire route!
Apart from cycle route 7 there are many other journeys to explore on a bike as the many single track quite backroads are ideal for cycling - and offer great vistas whilst doing so.
Bicycle storage can be arranged in one of the barns with a little notice.
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Wildlife
Roe deer and pheasants are regular visitors to the cottage garden and surrounding orchard. Recently a large brown hare has been seen lolloping around the cottage garden, eating grass and stopping now and again to clean itself. Red squirrels have made their return to the area - one was recently photographed perched on top of one of the farm gates. Pine Martens have also been seen locally. - most recently one crossing the farmhouse garden. The Pine Martens have apparently an appetite for Grey Squirrels which has assisted the survival of the Red Squirrel and aided its return to many areas of the central belt of Scotland. A recent group of guests spotted over thirty species of bird from the cottage during their stay. They sighted even more down at the Loch Lomond Wildlife Park only ten minutes drive away. The surrounding fields are inhabited by herds of cattle which are always amusing to watch as they graze their way from one end to the other, routinely following the same route every day. So happy spotting when at Appletree Cottage! |
A large hare tries to be invisible in the cottage garden
A red squirrel perches on the gate at Shandon Farm.
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Croftamie Village
Croftamie Village is the closest to Appletree Cottage and is about 2 minutes in a car or twelve minutes enjoyable walk.
In the village the former famous pub "The Wayfarers" is currently undergoing some major refurbishment and hopefully will be open again in the not too distant future.
Croftamie Village is the closest to Appletree Cottage and is about 2 minutes in a car or twelve minutes enjoyable walk.
In the village the former famous pub "The Wayfarers" is currently undergoing some major refurbishment and hopefully will be open again in the not too distant future.
Drymen Village
Drymen village, larger than Croftamie, is about five minutes drive away. It has shops, restaurants and pubs. For more information see the "Local shops, Eating and Drinking" section
Drymen village, larger than Croftamie, is about five minutes drive away. It has shops, restaurants and pubs. For more information see the "Local shops, Eating and Drinking" section