European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 17, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Real in Scotland by Dave Diehl . Bureau s of time s von flt one of  l  my t  anyone Tom a acc i talk   a Nee it to  at  a i Iid the a i id i in Retreat ail it  brochure boast Al out from Tho Monion Vve stopped into the 14th Century keep we were surrounded by Fin Aura of pleasantness even with the attractions of the scottish Highlands to the North and Edinburgh Only a few Miles to the Oast everything we needed Lor a relaxing weekend fun Good food pleasant people and warm surroundings was within the Walls of this scottish Castle perched on a Hill above the tiny Stirlingshire Village of Airth. The cast e seems As far away from civilization As anyone would want to get the first Par of she Castle to be built was a Small Section of what stands now according to John Monnes the hotel s general manager. In about 1320 the second son of the scottish King Robert the Bruce built a Tower designed strictly for defense. Monnes said the keep As it was called could allow one Man to lend Oil  1. A enemy  a Linin   Point the Airth keep overlooking the Firth of Forth was one of three  in defensive outposts Buill for the larger Stirling Cali 1 to the Northwest one of. Ali or.  Rulh Century  him a the Effort that has been made to preserve the  of the building by combining modern Comfort with 14h-Cenhjry Charm Mun tries and his Shaft provide their guests  an atmosphere that you could t find in a no Jern hotel Over the Pav to decade several owners have tried to make the  a profitable operation in january Monnes a third generation grocer from a nearby town took on the  and business at the hotel has been picking up. Monfries seems lose the mood of the hotel h he s not mingling with guests he s encouraging his staff he takes a special interest in the hotel and his Lack of experience As n he to incr Sec rec have Given the place a nut Nici in Ewing for a detailed account of the Castle s history and maybe a guided tour. Montries is the Man to see one of Airth Castle s biggest assets is us location thirty minutes to Tho cast is Edinburgh one of the most Beautiful cities in the United kingdom whether it be for sightseeing history or just shopping Airth is of Good base to begin a trip into the scottish Highlands an hour s drive North it the Ca he brings you into some of the most Beautiful country in Europe there Are also several of Tho bes oies m the country nearby including St Arul was. Where game originated in november. Airth Castle will be expanding its accommodation irom 23 to 47 rooms this is being done through the reconstruction of an old 19th renter stable and ballroom building with the addition the Casile will be boasting an indoor healed swimming Pool. Saunas inc us i Tennis courts and a gym although not part of the original Castle the stable is unique in that it is. As far As anyone knows the Only stable in the country originally built with a ballroom above it. Rooms at Airth Castle Start at about $60 per night for a single and about $82 per night for a twin or double including a Lull breakfast. The Castle is located Between Glasgow and Edinburgh just off the m9 Motorway on the a905. In Airth Stirlingshire. Reservations can be made by calling 0324 83411 the Airth cattle hotel combines a pleasant staff with warm surroundings and 14th-Century Charm. Tracking Down castles photo by Ann  number of Castle hotel and restaurant chains operate in Europe but they Are associations Lor collective promotion not companies like Holiday inn or Sheraton. National tourist offices also compile lists of Castle hotels and restaurants. In either Case. Doth real castles and other types of buildings historic inns Manor houses Are included. The hotels usually Are run by the owners sometimes they have Only a Lew rooms. Almost always their restaurants serve regional specialities Here is a Roundup of the organizations and listings Gast in Schloss includes 100 German castles plus one each in Switzerland. France and the Netherlands. In addition to overnight stays it arranges special interest package Tours supplies maps and outlines things to do in surrounding areas. Prices Lor the Castle rooms Range irom 60 Marks about $22 Lor the least expensive double to 345 Marks about $125 Lor the most expensive. A live Day Lour of moated castles in Westphalia is 560 Marks about $200. An eight Day tour of castles in Cologne. Munster. Marburg and Wicburg is 871 Marks about s311 other package Tours including biking irom one Castle to another. Ill in Between for More information Contact Gast in Schloss , d-3526 trend Elburg. Germany. Tel 05g75-331 or 1011.  Al Chateaux is a group of 342 hotels and restaurants in 31 countries. France of course is the Best represented but the listing even includes six inns in the United states. While All the members Are by no Means castles All must encompass the 5 c a character. Courtesy. Calm. Comfort and cuisine. A photograph of the hotel or restaurant and a map help in making a selection symbols Are used to describe facilities available. The Catalon is available at member hotels and restaurants or irom Centre d information Des relays it Chateaux hotel de Crillon 10, place de la concorde. F v5008 Paris. The Booklet Hist Rische Gas Hauser und Schlos hotels in Der Schwa historic guest houses and Castle hotels in Switzerland lists 76 hotels and restaurants it is published by the Schweiz Niche . Halacker 42. Ch-80?3 Zurich. Switzerland another listing of 30  hotel. Vol inns is available at Swiss National tourist Ollices Denmark promotes nine  hotels and Manor houses on the islands Iceland. Lolland. Tags me and Funken a Booklet describing them 13 available irom Kun Moore. Nato Liason Foi the danish National tourist office Postrach 2023s5. 0-2000 Hamburg 20. Germany. Information about Castle hotels in great Britain and Ireland is available irom the tourist offices British tourist authority. Neue Mainzer Strasse 22. D-6000 Frankfurt  Germany British tourist authority thames Tower Black s Fload. London w6 9el. England Irish tourist office. Unterman anlage 7. D 6000 Frankfurt a.m., Germany Irish tourist Board. Baggot Street Bridge. Dublin 2, Ireland. Tuesday sept Iber 17, 1985 the stars and stripes Page 17