Gold rush for B&B

A stunning bed and breakfast, made famous in TV drama Dr Finlay’s Casebook, has struck gold after achieving a prestigious Quality Assurance (QA) award from VisitScotland.

Arden House in Callander, has been awarded a four-star gold accolade from the national tourism organisation.

The Victorian home is surrounded by the town’s stunning scenery with the beautiful Bracklinn Falls sparkling nearby and features rooms named after the TV show’s characters.

The gold award highlights establishments within the QA Scheme that strive to exceed customer expectations on an on-going basis, whilst taking an innovative and proactive approach to customer care.

Arden House recently featured in VisitScotland’s TV Set in Scotland guide after serving as the home of Doctors Finlay and Cameron and their housekeeper Janet on the popular 1960s show which followed the life of the doctor’s office with Callander doubling for the fictional town of Tannochbrae during the late 1920s.

But these days the B&B – which features a putting green - is home to Dawn and Gary Pringle who have owned the property since 2012.

Arden House has also achieved a VisitScotland Taste Our Best award, which connects the places people visit with first-class food and drink experiences through a quality mark that stands out to locals and visitors alike, and the B&B is a part of the VisitScotland Information Partnership Scheme - with visitors accessing local knowledge directly from the people who live and work in the area.

It also offers an Access Guide for guests with extra needs and locals in Callander have set up a community group called Accessible Callander with the aim of becoming a more inclusive destination.

Dawn Pringle said: “We are delighted to receive the four-star gold award and really proud to have this recognition. We strive to provide guests with a unique and memorable stay at Arden House and this award shows that our hard work is paying off. We look forward to continuing to work with VisitScotland to fly the flag for Callander and the surrounding area.”

Neil Christison, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “Arden House is a fantastic example of the quality experience on offer in Callander and the wider Stirling area. It’s no surprise that Dawn and Gary’s hard work and commitment to providing a quality service is being recognised with this prestigious award.

“The Quality Assurance awards help businesses to reach their full potential and truly shine. The scheme is about more than just the ‘stars’ on the door - it’s about the entire visitor experience, about investing in your business, driving-up quality and creating jobs. Delivering a quality experience that meets, and exceeds, visitor expectations is crucial in making Scotland a must-visit, must-return destination.”

For more information on VisitScotland’s Access Guides, Quality Assurance, VIP, and Taste Our Best schemes visit www.visitscotland.org

For more information on Arden House visit www.ardenhouse.org.uk