Auchterarder Easter Scavenger Hunt
Looking for something to do with the kids during the Easter Holidays? Why not take part in the Auchterarder Easter Scavenger Hunt?
Designed by our friends at Fawkes Studios to allow the whole family to take part all you need is the clue list and and your phone or digital camera to photograph the answers.
All the answers are within the area of Auchterarder High Street ranging from Coventry for Fencing to Castleton Road. Some are very easy and suitable for young children, others require a bit more detective work.
Once you have all the answers just email them to admin@auchterarder.net and if you have them correct you will be entered into the draw for a cash prize to be drawn on Tuesday 17th April.
You can purchase and download the clues from the online store at Auchterarder.net or follow this link to be taken straight to the page. Auchterarder Easter Scavenger Hunt.
Let us know you are out and about by messaging us on Facebook or Twitter.
Good luck and have fun.
Spring Has Come To Auchterarder
What a beautiful day to be out and about in Auchterarder. Whether you are looking to do some shopping or spoil yourself in one of our cafes, today is a great day to come and visit the High Street.
Did you know that Marie from Great British Bake Off has a delightful shop and café here? You can even purchase a gift voucher for Afternoon Tea for 2 in our online shop. Maybe you would prefer to visit our award winning delicatessen Corbie and Cheip which also has its own café? Don’t forget our other award winner, bakery Sugar and Spice which has some of the best cakes and savouries around.
With a wide variety of shops stocking clothing, footwear, gifts and necessities as well as an excellent art gallery and range of beauty salons it is well worth taking the time to visit as you travel along the A9. With the majority of our shops being independently owned you can be sure of the personal touch each time you visit.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on our online shop as more items become available from local stores and crafters.
Shopping is not the only reason to visit Auchterarder. The local walks have recently been upgraded to make it easier for people of all abilities to enjoy the local countryside. Golf of course is another leisure activity that Auchterarder does so well.
So why not come off the A9 and take some time to visit Auchterarder?
Calling All The Single Ladies
This year why not celebrate “Anti Valentines” starting with this unique cake from Marie’s Little Cake Shop in Auchterarder. Marie has come up with a great way to celebrate singledom this Valentines Day with her unique “No Entry Cupid” cake.
Speaking to Marie this week she was quick to remind me that they are of course still doing traditional valentines cakes but this year thought they would add a bit of fun. “More and more people are using Valentines to celebrate singledom that I thought having their own cake would be a fun thing to do. We are also working with another local company to offer a party kit at only £35 with balloons and nibbles to help make it a party to remember as well as the cake itself.”
If you are looking to celebrate singledom this Valentines Day, why not order your party kit now and get ready to celebrate in style? The first six orders received will also enjoy a complimentary bottle of Prosecco with their party kit. Call 01764 660076 to order.
Driving Home from the Supermarket
When you go to do your shopping do you think about it much? I don’t, I headed off to the shops today with no particular goal in mind.
On the way back I saw this, this is the view on my drive home from the supermarket.
Having spent a week in London recently it made it very clear to me how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. A place where we have views like this as we go about our daily business.
Sometimes living in a rural community can be problematic with a lack of facilities and problems with weather. I would still rather live here than in a city, especially when this is what greets me after doing the shopping.
Real Men Do Their Christmas Shopping in Auchterarder
We all know what a struggle it can be for the guys to get the ladies a Christmas present that they will love. How many sweaters, scarves, red underwear sets and soap sets have ladies received over the years because their other halves had hit desperation point? How many guys are sitting reading this dreading having to go shopping for a Christmas gift that they want to get right but are just not sure?
This year why not do things a bit differently gentlemen? Instead of standing in the middle of a crowded Shopping Centre wondering what you can get, why not come visit Auchterarder? The town is half way between Perth and Stirling on the A9 and it will make Christmas shopping for your other half a whole lot easier.
The shops in Auchterarder are mainly independents with a variety of fantastic gift ideas available. We have ladies clothing and footwear, jewellery, lingerie, perfume, fine art and so much more.
What makes Christmas Shopping in Auchterarder so special is that the staff are here to help. They will be able to help you find something. Our shop owners all know each other and are happy to point you to another shop if they feel that is where you will get something to complement your purchase. Let the staff know some details about your partner and they will be sure to help you on your quest for a gift that shows you care.
There are cafes and coffee shops, bakers and butchers so you can keep your strength up and even take something home for dinner.
How much easier does that sound that a huge shopping centre with children running about and huge queues at the checkouts?
This year make sure you get the gift your partner deserves, do your Christmas shopping in Auchterarder and enjoy the experience of getting it right.
Hot Chocolate at Marie’s Little Cake Shop
Hot Chocolate is just the best thing on a cold and wet morning in Scotland. Thankfully here in Auchterarder it is something that is readily available.
Yesterday I was lucky enough to be able to spend some time at Marie’s Little Cake Shop. A place of wonder for those who enjoy sampling expert baking and light snacks.
Marie’s have recently started offering their morning rolls and lunches to take away. You can have a bacon roll, soup and a selection of sandwiches and of course cake. All at very reasonable prices I may add.
As it was raining and windy, I decided to treat myself to a mug of hot chocolate as I chatted to Marie.
When the hot chocolate arrived, I was delighted to see that it had whipped cream on top and a little bowl of marshmallows with a chocolate flake at the side. Being able to add as many or as little of the marshmallows as I wished was a lovely touch.
A fresh batch of millionaires shortbread had just been put out and as always there were some tasting bits available. Of course, I ended up with a little box of goodies to take away. Who could resist when you have tasted just how good they are?
The Tee Room, Dunning
Recently I had the chance to visit the Tee Room, Dunning. Attached to the Golf Club the Tee Room is small but perfectly formed.
Serving breakfast through to afternoon tea this is a hidden gem that deserves recognition. Less than 5 miles off the A9 in Dunning this is definitely a place to visit.
When I visited I was on my own and sat quietly at the table in the corner. It was a busy afternoon with a couple of tables taken with friends who had come for tea and cake. As they dispersed I recognised a few of them and was lucky enough to be invited to join two as they were staying for lunch.
The ladies I joined were delighted to hear I was in for lunch and would be writing about it. They made sure I knew how fabulous the place was with excellent food and staff. It’s always good to have such enthusiastic personal recommendation.
I ordered a baked potato which came with side salad and coleslaw, my companions ordered fish and chips and a toastie. You can see from the pictures exactly what we received and I am sure you will agree it looks very appetising.
It tasted just as good as it looked, although to be fair there is not much can go wrong with baked potato. The coleslaw and salad showed an eye for detail and care in preparation. The fish and chips is a local favourite and looked delicious. My companion confirming that it is something not to be missed. The toastie, simple yet flavourful and appreciated by my companion.
Normally I would have been tempted by the home baking but as I was trying to be a bit healthy I did not indulge. However, the display of cakes at the other end of the room looked very inviting and I decided even photographing it would be dangerous to my healthy eating plan. So, no photographs I am afraid.
With a main course and drink for under £10, the Tee Room, Dunning is great value and should be on your good food list.
Auchterarder Adventure – Culdees Treasures
Aileen Coffield of Culdees Treasures
Out and about again, this time to Blackford where I met with Eileen Coffield of Culdees Treasures. Open this weekend as part of the Perthshire Open Studios event.
Eileen offers a variety of mediums, working with painted and dyed fabric, wool and paper through to wire and beads. Producing an eclectic range of jewellery, fabric items, embroidered and quilted fabric art, cards and gifts.
What child wouldn’t want their very own sheep to sit on?
Auchterarder Adventure – Catriona Studio
Today’s second Auchterarder Adventure was to Catriona Studio where I met up with Gail Stirling Robertson who showed me round. The Studio is open Saturday and Sunday as part of the Perthshire Open Studios event.
Catriona Studio combines the work of Gail Stirling Robertson and Lorna Catriona Radbourne. Vibrant, quirky paintings complement iridescent stained glass jewellery and craft. Gail produces colourful artwork encompassing twisted townscapes and illustration. Lorna’s stained glass work includes jewellery, bird collections, illuminated wall panels, hangings, mirrors and lamps.
Auchterarder Adventure – Ceri White Studios
The first Auchterarder Adventure today was to Ceri White Studios just outside Dunning. Ceri works with ceramics and produces an array of items from yarn bowls to tiles. 
This year Ceri has added ceramic bottles to complement the range of thrown cactus/succulent planters; from the small and exquisite to larger pieces and some gold lustre highlights. Complementing these are small, individually made condiment pots/spoons and large yarn bowls. Why not visit to have a browse and learn about Ceri’s processes in her wee rural workshop. There are seconds/old stock on sale for bargain hunters!
Ceri very kindly agreed to show how to throw a pot so that I could make a video. The result is now the Lang Toon Times pot which will have pride of place on my desk. To see the video please click here.
D5 Creation