Our Facilities 
& Directions

 
Welcome to our warm, friendly,
homley farmhouse at Gartur...



Inspired by Tolkein's poem, we call it
 West of the Moon
… a place where magic happens’ 
             you’ll know why once you have beenJ



We are on the edge of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park,
near Port-Of-Menteith, Arnprior, Stirling, Kippen & Aberfoyle
surrounded by spectacular views, fields and trees,
which change constantly as the seasons roll by.
 
 
In the autumn the pink-footed geese
fly over us twice a day 
in magnificant V-formations…
sit quietly
and you’ll get to meet some of the other wildlife …
including robins, deer, hares, pheasants and partridges
(alas no pear tree, but we do have apples, plums and crab-apples!)

 Accommodation is twin-rooms upstairs with 2 shared bathrooms,
one with a bath-tub and bubbles if you need a good soak!

The views from the rooms will take your breath away –

Harmony and Friendship Rooms look to the North onto Ben Ledi,
the Lake of Menteith and surrounding Menteith Hills,

Wisdom Room looks to the sunrise,
the courtyard,
the Fintry Hills
and Campsie Fells.

Peace Room has views to the North and to the West,
overlooking Flanders Moss,
the village of Gartmore in the distance,
Ben Lomond and beautiful sunsets.
 
 
The 'Laughing Buddha' Studio is a converted byre
built over 100 years ago -

it has lovely high ceilings
and skylights so is bright and airy
with its own wood burning stove keeping us warm and cosy. 
 
 We keep the groups small
so we can give you individual attention
gaining the most from your stay.


'Laughing Buddha' is always open
for you to use for
self-practice, meditation or relaxation.
 
 


Our gardens have a magic all of their own…..

spacious lawns, hide-aways and a secret garden….
come ready to explore to find its enchantment J
Bring your welly-boots
if you fancy seeing what’s further round the corner…
or take a gentle stroll down the ‘driveway’
enjoying all the colours and views.



The guest lounge has its own wood burning stove, comfy couches,
a selection of books, floor space and a big red chi-ball!

It’s the perfect place to spend some quiet time reading,
have good conversation or listen to music,
play ‘old-fashioned’ board-games
or help build the 1500 piece puzzle (please!!)

…. or do absolutely nothing and just enjoy the silence!

There is mobile reception and wi-fi

In the dining room you’ll enjoy good hOMe cooked meals…

We have a wonderful selection of herbal teas,
some home-grown,
(and ordinary tea too!) coffee, biscuits and fresh fruit…
apples from our own tree when in season.
We are ready to start growing
organic veg and herbs in the spring,
and we source as many ingredients as possible
from local farmers and traders….
you won’t go hungry!

We also cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free
and other dietary requirements

Come and enjoy the peace and quiet, fresh air, cosy fires, dark starry skies…
you should see it on a moon-lit night…

West of the Moon is the perfect place for getting away from it all and feeling alive.

DAVID MARSHALL LODGE
Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Aberfoyle.

Our regular yoga classes and some workshops and training are held at the
David Marshall Lodge just outside Aberfoyle.

The yoga space is surrounded by trees and forest on 3 sides...
no matter what time of the year it is,
you feel like you are outside but in the warmth!

There are amazing walks, waterfalls and wildlife,
mountainsides of bluebells in June,
blay-berries in abundance at the end of summer,
rainbows and blackberries in Autumn and
plenty of opportunity to build snowmen in winter!

So a great place to come to practice some yoga and enjoy the outdoors J

DIRECTIONS:

We are only an hour from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth!

By car

Follow the directions below

By air

Airports at Glasgow and Edinburgh connect to most British Airports.
Driving time from Glasgow is approx 45 minutes and from Edinburgh one hour.
You could arrange with us to pick you up.

By bus/rail

Stirling is the nearest mainline station for inter-city and sleeper services.
There are regular busses to Aberfoyle from Stirling,
 or you could arrange with us to pick you up.
Have a look at www.aberfoylecoaches.com/buses for busses from Glasgow

Directions to Gartur
(West of the Moon Retreats & 'Laughing Buddha' Studio)

From Glasgow or Stirling, go on the A811 to Arnprior.
At Arnprior, turn towards Port of Menteith on the B8034.
2.3 miles along the road you get to a village called Dykehead.
You will see a yellow cottage on the right and then you will see a white cottage and parking lot with a village notice-board.
(If you have sat nav the code is FK8 3JY, but that only takes you to the parking lot).
Turn left up the single track road opposite the parking lot.
Go up that road for 1.5 miles. You will arrive in a courtyard, park on the right of the courtyard... you have reached your destination!

From Port-of-Menteith, drive towards Arnprior on the B8034.
Go 2.6 miles (pass the Lake Hotel, fisheries and Nick Nairn Cook School).
On the left you will see a white cottage and parking lot with a village notice-board. Turn right up the single track road opposite the parking lot.
(If you have sat nav the code is FK8 3JY, but that only takes you to the parking lot).
Go up that road for 1.5 miles, you will arrive at a courtyard, park on the right side....
 You have reached your destination!
 
 View Larger Map

David Marshall Lodge:

The postcode is FK8 3UX, but don’t listen when it says you have reached your destination…. Drive into Aberfoyle and follow the directions below.

By road from the south (Glasgow)

Take the A81 from the city centre travel via Milngavie and Strathblane towards Aberfoyle. At the roundabout by the Rob Roy Motel, turn left into Aberfoyle.
Drive through Aberfoyle, where the road turns sharp right, opposite Guyana Garden Centre. Drive up the hill and the David Marshall Lodge is about a mile up on the right. Park somewhere by the pond and walk up to the main building.
Once in the building, head left to the function room and you will find us there.

By road from the north (Perth) or East (Edinburgh) & Glasgow East

Travel towards Stirling on the M9 and leave at Junction 10 (marked for Stirling/Safari Park). Follow the A84, signposted for Callander.
After 4 miles (just beyond the Safari Park), take the A873 for Aberfoyle.
After 17 miles, at the roundabout by the Rob Roy Motel, turn right into Aberfoyle. Drive through the village where the road turns sharp right, opposite Guyana Garden Centre. Drive up the hill and the David Marshall Lodge is on the right.
Park somewhere by the pond and walk up to the main building.
Once in the building, head left to the function room and you will find us there.