Dramatic loch views from the bedroom and fabulous food in the award-winning hotel restaurant

The Pilot Panther is a classic 1950 showman's wagon originally built by The Coventry Steel Company, once renowned as the finest wagon makers in the country. Its journey has been long and rambling, but it has settled in a fine location. The views from every window are of the spectacular loch which seems to change with the weather and provide a new sight every day. Off the main living and sleeping area, which also has the oven and grill, is the double bunk room. The loos and shower are a minute's walk away at the hotel.

The great walking and stunning views around the long loch will help you work up an appetite worthy of Monachlye Mhor, an award-winning pilgrimage for Scottish foodies. Or you can arrange to have breakfast at the hotel and fuel up before you go. Rather handily, the family that run the restaurant also manage the farm, which ensures that a good supply of very local produce goes onto the amazing menus. They have their own fishery, bakery and tea rooms too, all of which can provide you with take away ingredients or eat-in goodies.

May 24th & 25th: MHOR food festival will be taking place, a celebration of all that's fresh and local! Staying in the Pilot Panther means you'll be at the heart of things, but it will be less peaceful than usual, so please bear this in mind if you're after a quiet break.

• Esentials
• Getting there
• Eating & Drinking
• Things to do
• Booking terms
• Meet your hosts

The essentials

The important stuff

• Check in time is 3pm
• Check out time is 11am
• Kids are welcome
• No more than two pets at the Pilot Panther at any one time. There is a £10 charge per pet for the stay. Please pay on arrival at Mhor
• There is electric lighting at the Pilot Panther and devices can be charged at the hotel, which also has wi-fi
• An initial stock of firewood will be provided. Please use economically

Sleeping arrangements

1 king-sized double bed and two bunks. Extra guests can camp alongside by arrangement. Please call to enquire.

Kids & Pets

Kids are welcome at Mhor. No more than two pets at any one time, £10 per pet for the stay. Please arrange with Mhor on arrival

Cooking

• Gas stove and grill
• Kettle and crockery
• Pots, pans, bowls and plates
• Refrigeration available at the hotel
• Tea, coffee and sugar in the truck. Breakfast (including juice, coffee, a starter and a main) is available in the restaurant at a price of £12.50 pp

Washing

• Shower and loo facilities in the hotel, a short walk away (about two minutes)

Heating, lighting & bedding

• A wood-burning stove (mainly used for heat)
• Pillows, sheets and duvets provided for all
• There is electric lighting and a solar charger in the Panther. Devices can also be charged up at the hotel

Entertainment

• Cards
• Books & board games

Getting there

Monachyle Mhor Hotel, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire FK19 8PQ

By Train

Dunblane Station is approximately 30 miles from Monachyle Mhor. Taxi transfers can be arranged and take about 35 minutes.

By Car

Monachyle Mhor is about 35 miles north of Stirling, just off the A84.
Follow the A84 North from Stirling towards Crianlarich. Drive through Doune, Callander and Strathyre and after a further 2 miles turn right at the Kingshouse Hotel. Drive through Balquhidder (2 miles) and on for a further 4 miles up the Balquhidder glen and along the shores of Loch Voil. About 200 yards after the end of the loch Monachyle is set up on the hill to your right.

Eating & drinking

Eating & Drinking at Monachyle Mhor

Tom Lewis is both the award winning head chef and owner of the rather chic Mhor restaurant. Gold winner in Eat Scotland in 2010, the foodfeatures a heavy emphasis on seasonal and local (extremely local when it's straight from the farm). Alternately, the bar is a great place to relax and plan your next trip after a day of climbing mountains with some top notch light meals.

Breakfast (including juice, coffee, a starter and a main) is available in the restaurant at a price of £12.50 pp

Pubs & Restaurants

MHORFish, Callander (16 miles). Chippy and cafe that is piled high with fish, oysters, mussels and prawns from the north coast of Scotland caught fresh that day. Voted one of the 50 best cafes in the UK and it's also the local fishmonger.

MHORTea, Balquhidder (3.5 miles). The Lewis's bring the Mhor ethos to afternoon tea. Housed in an old library building, there is a wide selection of organic and herbal teas to go with the homemade cakes, scones and Scottish shortbread. There is also a selection of savouries.

Things to do

Outdoor & active

Take to the mountains with a hike up Ben More just at the end of the glen and there are walks from every direction of the hotel.

There are interesting and largely traffic free cycle routes that encompass historic sites, waterfalls and a spectacular viaduct.

Clamber in to your waders for some fishing at the trout rich Lochs Voil and Doine.

Two beautiful 18-hole golf courses are nearby if you should fancy a round of golf.

Seaplane trips run from the shores of Loch Voil if you have have a bit of the aviator spirit in you or simply want to view the intoxicating panoramas.

Courses & classes

Seafood demonstrations – learn what really fresh fish is all about and gain confidence in preparing and cooking all kinds of delicious ingredients from the sea.

Landscape photography – make the stunning surroundings come alive in your pictures with expert Paul Holloway from Amoghavira Photography, winner of the 2009 Landscape Photographer of The Year.

Highland Safaris – explore Balquhidder Glen to the full with a two-hour safari tour with chance of seeing red deer and golden eagles, along with many of the historic sites of the area.

Red deer stalking – as part of the annual cull join a professional stalker for some target practice and then hit the hills to bag a stag.

Clay pigeon shooting – tuition for complete beginners and more experienced shots is available.

MHOR than Yoga – designed to relax and inspire you, there are a range of courses offered by some of the UK's top teachers including Yoga, meditation, life coaching and body and emotional clearing therapies.ore experienced shots is available.

Or simply spend some time on the estate and unwind, play Petanque or read a book and cosy up in the Panther.

Meet your hosts

The Lewis family come from a long line of farmers. Rob and Jean Lewis sold their farm in Abergavenny and moved up to Scotland in 1983. When they saw Monachyle Mhor, Rob struck a deal there and then, signing on the back of a cigarette packet. Today the business is still family run but has expanded to include an award-winning hotel, the poshest fish and chip cafe in Scottland, a bakery and a library tea room. The farm is still important though and is looking for alternative ways of farming and, introducing traditional breeds of cattle and controlling the whole process from livestock to meat production.

Environmental policy

The new wood pellet (made from compressed wood and sawdust) burner system replaces dependancy on oil and electricity for heat and hot water. Around the farm there are plans to plant traditional hedges to add habitat while working with the CPS and RSS to better manage the native wetlands and moorland. Recycling is extensive and the pigs are happy to eat the green waste from the kitchens. The chickens provide all the eggs for the hotel while venison, beef, pork and plenty of veg come from the estate. What can't be grown or produced on site is usually sourced from within 30 miles.

Wildlife

Set in the heart of the Trossachs National Park you can rightly expect diverse and rich wildlife. There are red squirrels and sparrow hawks, while you can go out stalking red deer. If you are very lucky you may even catch a glimpse of a golden eagle but the glen is a great a spot for birdwatching whether you spot this beautiful rarity or not.