DAVID Crookes found it worth braving the Scottish winter for a perfect weekend break with some facilities that were first class

IT was 11am on a cold Sunday morning. Snow covered the ground and a biting chill filled the air.

Yet we were speeding around on a boat on a vast Scottish loch at upwards of 50 miles-per-hour with my hair almost tearing itself away from my scalp in the wind.

It was not quite the "feet up and relax" weekend we had envisaged at Cameron House, a beautiful five-star hotel in a Scottish mansion on the shore of Loch Lomond.

I suppose at that time on such a peaceful morning we should really have been lying in bed, enjoying the sumptuous surroundings of a luxury room.

But after the hotel's incredibly friendly staff had knocked on the door at 9am to deliver a wonderful big breakfast, we decided on a bit of adventure. And that's why we braved the cold for one of the best experiences I've had in a long while.

The bosses at Cameron House have ensured that guests don't have to leave the comfortable confines of the hotel grounds and the exhilarating speed boat trips are only one of the many facilities the hotel has to offer.

Climbing and quad biking are two others.

But there are more peaceful pursuits available. Ladies can be pampered in the Health and Beauty salon while the men could take in a round of golf on the nine-hole course.

Guests also have the options of clay pigeon shooting, pony trekking, archery and salmon and trout fishing among many, many others. Despite all of that there was still a great temptation just to relax in the hotel room and enjoy the benefits of room service.

As you would expect, the prices were extortionate. A cheese toastie cost £5 (and maybe nothing more than 50p to make): choosing anything more elaborate would be getting into double figures. But the room was divine. It was split into two, with a separate comfortable lounge area. The bathroom was spacious and even had the obligatory heated towel rail.

Yet to stay in the room, no matter how good, would have meant missing out on the rest of the wonderful facilities.

In the afternoon, with the rain beginning to pour down, we decided to completely rip up the relaxation plan and take out a pair of mountain bikes, exploring the vast, picturesque countryside just 30 minutes drive from Glasgow.

After all that activity, eating in one of the three wonderfully distinct dining areas was more than a treat: it was a hard-earned chance to replenish some energy.

The Georgian Room Restaurant is the hotel's finest and has been on the receiving end of many awards but we wanted something a little less formal and opted for Smolletts Restaurant which offered a fantastic a la carte menu (and was infinitely cheaper, I may add).

We had lunch at the casual Breakers Bar on the banks of the loch, a dining area far less elegant than the previous two but offering some delicious "down-market" food such as the simple burger.

At night we enjoyed the comfortable sofas in the bar, overlooking the hotel's shimmering swimming pool.

It was the perfect setting for a perfect weekend.

We stayed for two nights. Prices start from £60 per person per night depending on special offers and the time of year. The rates go up to as much as £235 for a double room, £170 for a single.

Typically, two people would be expected to pay around £400 for two nights since all of the pursuits (including meals) cost extra.

You can telephone 01389 755565 for booking details or click HERE

General information on the Loch Lomond area HERE

Scottish tourism links HERE

Glasgow and Clyde Valley tourism HERE