Scotland in country 11 days

jay65 · January 24, 2013

It certainly sounds like a wonderful trip. I understand that Scotland has so many fabulous Golfing opportunities, and the temptation will always be, to try to explore as many as one can, so as to not go back home feeling as though there have not been an opportunities lost. And for that reason, I can quite understand your trip agenda.

We are not moving up to the Aberdeen area until August, otherwise you and your husband would have been more than welcome to visit, where I woulod have been happy to escort you both.

Ironically, we are now looking at houses to live in the Carnoustie area, which is about 40 miles South of Aberdeen, and offers the propspect of bridging the Golfing areas of Aberdeen to the North and Fife to the South, with wonderful Courses of Carnoustie, Panmure, and Monifieth literally on my doorstep, and to be a Member of one of those Clubs will be fantastic.

Anyhow, I wish you well with your search for accomodation which I am sure you will find plenty of options, but if you need any more help, pleased don't hesitate to ask. I will be glad to help!

Jay

juliette91 · January 24, 2013

Thank you for your generous off Jay. Seems like there is a lot of activity near Carnoustie well in advance of the Open, and accommodations are a bit dear. Exploring cottages now, but the beauty of a bnb is that one can meet other travelers and the exchange is often one of the highlights of traveling. If you know of any trusted bnbs
in the Dornoch area let me know. Tks!

"It certainly sounds like a wonderful trip. I understand that Scotland has so many fabulous Golfing opportunities, and the temptation will always be, to try to explore as many as one can, so as to not go back home feeling as though there have not been an opportunities lost. And for that reason, I can quite understand your trip agenda.

We are not moving up to the Aberdeen area until August, otherwise you and your husband would have been more than welcome to visit, where I woulod have been happy to escort you both.

Ironically, we are now looking at houses to live in the Carnoustie area, which is about 40 miles South of Aberdeen, and offers the propspect of bridging the Golfing areas of Aberdeen to the North and Fife to the South, with wonderful Courses of Carnoustie, Panmure, and Monifieth literally on my doorstep, and to be a Member of one of those Clubs will be fantastic.

Anyhow, I wish you well with your search for accomodation which I am sure you will find plenty of options, but if you need any more help, pleased don't hesitate to ask. I will be glad to help!"

Jay

jay65 · January 25, 2013

[quote name='juliette91' timestamp='1359075425' post='6292607']
Thank you for your generous off Jay. Seems like there is a lot of activity near Carnoustie well in advance of the Open, and accommodations are a bit dear. Exploring cottages now, but the beauty of a bnb is that one can meet other travelers and the exchange is often one of the highlights of traveling. If you know of any trusted bnbs
in the Dornoch area let me know. Tks!

"It certainly sounds like a wonderful trip. I understand that Scotland has so many fabulous Golfing opportunities, and the temptation will always be, to try to explore as many as one can, so as to not go back home feeling as though there have not been an opportunities lost. And for that reason, I can quite understand your trip agenda.

We are not moving up to the Aberdeen area until August, otherwise you and your husband would have been more than welcome to visit, where I woulod have been happy to escort you both.

Ironically, we are now looking at houses to live in the Carnoustie area, which is about 40 miles South of Aberdeen, and offers the propspect of bridging the Golfing areas of Aberdeen to the North and Fife to the South, with wonderful Courses of Carnoustie, Panmure, and Monifieth literally on my doorstep, and to be a Member of one of those Clubs will be fantastic.

Anyhow, I wish you well with your search for accomodation which I am sure you will find plenty of options, but if you need any more help, pleased don't hesitate to ask. I will be glad to help!"

Jay
[/quote]

Hi

Have a look at Highfield House in Dornoch, although its £85 per room per night, its really lovely and about a a 15 minute walk into Dornoch, if you wanted to stay right in the town within a 400 yards of the golf course then try The Bank House, Dornoch. Both have websites that you can have look at and contact the owners. Some will even arrange the Golf for you at Dornoch, one less thing to worry about?

thecraw · January 29, 2013

[quote name='Chilidog' timestamp='1358803726' post='6272391']
If you don't play Trump's course in Aberdeen, you have missed out.
[/quote]

Not worth the green fee - end of discussion! Very poor condition from what I'm hearing as well. Greens are poor is the general opinion.

thecraw · January 29, 2013

[quote name='juliette91' timestamp='1358816517' post='6273533']
[quote name='sabram' timestamp='1358810720' post='6272999']
[quote name='juliette91' timestamp='1358801834' post='6272223']
I found a lot of off the beaten path courses ...

... so thrilling playing hard by the sea that I think when it's over and I haven't seen the sea I'll be disappointed.

I'm much more interested in playing interesting and fun layouts in brilliant locations than I am in
long slogs that are famous for being famous.

Any thoughts or itineraries out there?
[/quote]

Off the beaten path, by the sea, interesting, fun, brilliant location.... First one that comes to mind is Machrihanish. The next three are Machrihanish Dunes, Machrie and Shiskine I rarely recommend courses that I haven't played but these are on my bucket list and sound like just what you have in mind. There is a poster on this site who is a member at Machrihanish. He can describe it better than I.

Less off the beaten path and not too far from Glasgow are Western Gailes, Glasgow Gailes and Prestwick Old. You won't find a warmer welcome anywhere in the world than Glasgow Gailes. These are three of the best courses in the west of Scotland and are surrounded by a bunch of less well known, less expensive but still excellent courses, such as Barrassie, West Kilbride, Irvine, Bellisle and St Nicholas.

If you play these courses it will be 11 days of golf you will never forget.

You can visit Aberdeen and play the new Trump course as a previous poser suggested. It is supposed to be quite nice and some day I'll probably play it. However, from what I've read, it is very expensive, long and difficult and I'm sure will be filled with North American tourists. There are lots of other courses in Aberdeen too. Scotland has so much great golf to offer, you can't do it all in one or even two trips. I think the ones I suggested above will be just what you are looking for.
[/quote]

Thank you Sabram,

Fine minds think alike. I've played Machrihanish in the mid 1990s, and had what was then a quaint experience on a gem an absolute gem of a course and I'm talking
about the Old Tom Morris course. This is before Kidd designed and built the Dunes course. Since we're arriving in Glasgow I had planned to head right to Campbeltown. Trying today to book accommodations and figuring out just how long to stay there with our limited time in country. I've played Western Gailes and loved it and you're right about the welcome. Played Royal Aberdeen in a steady 25-30 with 50 gusts and aside from losing golf balls I lost more adjectives that could describe what a sweet wonderful feeling one gets there. A bit stuffy at the outset with the admin. but who cares once you're out on the course! Too many Americans taking too much time for me to want to go back to Prestwick Old or pretty much any of the really big name courses. Too bad too because some really deserve to be played while
others get by a bit on their past laurels.

I'll schedule the Gailes courses and will get at least a couple from the Barassie-West Kilbride-Irvine-Bellisle-St.Nicholas because I've never played any of them.

Thank you so much for responding. We'll have a car and plan on driving a lot too but leaving Machrihanish and its usually sweet mini weather system will be hard to do.
Fwiw, we played the old course, crail, north berwick, prestwick, western gailes, nairn, royal dornoch, and even got to blackwaterfoot, among other courses over a 18 day golfing Holiday. But the best time I had in all the country was following a wee sigh on the narrow stone walled road that said and pointed "golf course". Got there,
couldn't really see any course but saw an honor box and a couple cars parked nearby. paid our 3 pounds (yeah, way different back then) and played these 9 holes they'd fashioned from sheep grazing land with a couple cuts to make the fairway and one or two more to make a green, fences keeping sheep at bay, warm big wind in your face and it was heaven.
[/quote]

Drop me an email or a PM with dates and if I'm free I'll sign you on at Machrihanish and offer a guide service.

C.

jay65 · January 29, 2013

[quote name='thecraw' timestamp='1359480257' post='6322205']
[quote name='Chilidog' timestamp='1358803726' post='6272391']
If you don't play Trump's course in Aberdeen, you have missed out.
[/quote]

Not worth the green fee - end of discussion! Very poor condition from what I'm hearing as well. Greens are poor is the general opinion.
[/quote]

Defo not my cup of tea either!

juliette91 · February 12, 2013

Just to put a finish to this topic---until I take the trip and file a trip report-- a big thanks to everyone who posted! I've taken bits and pieces
of what some of you suggested and now have this itinerary:

Arrive Glasgow airport
Drive to Machrihanish and stay in the area for 3 nights. Golf the Dunes, the old course and if we can golf on the day of arrival we'll fit in another.
Drive to Dornoch, rent a place for a week and golf around there. Will play whatever is the least expensive but will play one round at Dornoch during twilight rates.
Drive to Aberdeen area and stay for two nights. Will play one round at Cruden Bay and another somewhere to be named.

I found that the golf in Scotland is far more expensive than the golf in Ireland, when it comes to so called second and third tier courses. We're only springing for two
rounds that cost 90 pounds---Dornoch at twilight rates and Cruden Bay. Those costs are basically out of our price range. So all the other courses we play will
be less expensive, I guarantee it! Would love to have played Castle Stuart but it is very dear in price, about 170 pounds (about $275).

Best to all.

MikeMcM · February 13, 2013

The only problem with the itinerary you've outlined is you're guaranteed to book return trips to Scotland to see the rest of the country for years to come! Just a couple of thoughts:

To/From Machrihanish take the Andross/Brodick ferry to Arran, then the Lochranza to Cloanig ferry to Kintyre, then drive into Campbeltown. Drive to Dornoch up the Kintyre peninsula to Inveraray, then through Fort William and on the Dornoch. While in Campbeltown, if you have time for another round, play Dunaverty

In and around Dornoch, play Brora to be sure, at least once!Tain is excellent, but very challenging, and if you have the time, and don't mind the drive, look into Reay, a lovely links course in a beautiful setting on the northern tip of Scotland.

Whilst in Cruden, and looking for a second round, avoid the high priced Royal Aberdeen and Trump, and instead play Murcar.

Enjoy your time there, learn the language, you'll be back!

Cheers

postfold · February 17, 2013

Not the OP, but I'm also starting to plan a summer trip - many thanks to those offering OP suggestions, especially for the Ferguson book. That's going to be an invaluable resource as I put this together.

The hard part is definitely going to be to pick a second area (Fife is locked in, have to take a shot at the daily ballot) ... summer cannot get here fast enough!

jay65 · February 17, 2013

[quote name='postfold' timestamp='1361115874' post='6444941']
Not the OP, but I'm also starting to plan a summer trip - many thanks to those offering OP suggestions, especially for the Ferguson book. That's going to be an invaluable resource as I put this together.

The hard part is definitely going to be to pick a second area (Fife is locked in, have to take a shot at the daily ballot) ... summer cannot get here fast enough!
[/quote]

If Fife is already locked in, for your second area you could look at Angus. There you have Carnoustie, Panmure, Monifieth, Royal Montrose, and Blairgowrie. Or look a little further North at Aberdeenshire where I'm sure you'd enjoy Royal Aberdeen, Murcar, Cruden Bay, Fraserburgh etc. Further North and you have Nairn, Castle Stuart, Dornoch, Tain, Golspie and Brora. If you look West then you have Ayrshire where ther is Royal Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick, Western Gailes, Glasgow Gailes, Barassie, Dundonald, Irvine Bogside, West Kilbride.

I guess you already know most of those things and all depends on time and budget of course.

If you need any help or advice, I would be pleased to help.

juliette91 · June 5, 2013

Mike, should have followed your advice to the letter. Our only mistake, playing Royal Aberdeen. Wasn't at all like
I experienced it 20 years ago, I should have known better as the famous courses are generally not only well over priced
but also woefully slow going.

Here was our itinerary for all to see, with comments:

Machrihanish (Old, not Dunes) Fabulous piece of ground absolutely natural in every respect, in fine condition and fun to play
Machrihanish Dunes. Very well designed and coming into its own but greens are rough now.
Drove up to Dornoch and played a Perth course Murrayshall. Not worth a visit on its own but if you're passing through it's within a beautiful, lovely grounds.
Dornoch is not overrated but it's 130 pounds or about $210. That was out of our price range but we played twilight rates, 1/2 cost, and it is gorgeous, in great condition
and a great test of golf.
Given our budget that was our only time at Dornoch links. Instead we played Brora, Tain and Golspie, three courses each one of which would be worth a long drive just to play it.
All three highly recommended, especially the golf teaching pro at Tain, Stuart Morrison.
We drove well into the Highlands and played the 9 hole breathtakingly beautiful Durness Links. Highly recommended.
Finished off our trip playing the fun, enjoyable, set by the sea Royal Tarlair, and then played my favorite course of the lot, Cruden Bay. It is simply gorgeous, fun to play, solid condition
and surprisingly friendly for a "big name" couse.
Finished at Royal Aberdeen. It's overpriced compared to its competition, the adjoining Murcar. Should have booked Murcar instead but oh well, we'll be back (but not for another 5 hour 10 minute round stuck behind an Australian family and their caddies. Nice people but s l o w.

jay65 · June 5, 2013

Sorry to hear you had a couple of 'moments', but I guess when you consider the amount of Golf you played, one bad experience is not too bad. About 10 years ago I went on a trip to Ayrshire, and whilst there, I played Royal Troon, Prestwick, and Turnberry, and of the 3, which were all very expensive, I was expecting a lot more from Turnberry, and I came away feeling a little disappointed. It simply wasn't worth the hype and £165 Green Fee. But when I went back 2 years ago, I thought I would give it another try and give it the benefit of the doubt. I turned up, and was paired up with 3 people who hardly spoke any English at all, and didn't speak for 4 hours! I felt like we were being hearded like cattle. The Course was in relatively poor condition, with divots all over the fairways, and the whole experience was terrible, another £165 wasted. But I thought it was only fair to give it the benefit of the doubt. So, whilst its nice to have experienced some of the 'top' Courses, when it comes down to a Golfing experience, sometimes its just as enjoyable, and often more so, to try the lesser known Courses. So I can quite understand where you are coming from. But I'm glad you enjoyed the rest of your trip, and hope one bad experience won't put you off from coming over again sometime soon.

juliette91 · June 5, 2013

Oh we had an absolutely marvelous time, just marvelous!!! Really disheartened to leave actually. You're so right
about the lesser courses, they're really not so lesser at all.

jay65 · June 5, 2013

[quote name='juliette91' timestamp='1370462910' post='7176248']
Oh we had an absolutely marvelous time, just marvelous!!! Really disheartened to leave actually. You're so right
about the lesser courses, they're really not so lesser at all.
[/quote]

That's wonderful. So glad you had a great time. Don't be too disheartened, all those great Golf Courses and many others too, will still be there waiting for you. More memories just waiting to happen!

juliette91 · June 8, 2013

[quote name='jay65' timestamp='1370464099' post='7176396']
[quote name='juliette91' timestamp='1370462910' post='7176248']
Oh we had an absolutely marvelous time, just marvelous!!! Really disheartened to leave actually. You're so right
about the lesser courses, they're really not so lesser at all.
[/quote]

That's wonderful. So glad you had a great time. Don't be too disheartened, all those great Golf Courses and many others too, will still be there waiting for you. More memories just waiting to happen!
[/quote]

Thanks Jay, I just wish the American golfers herded into vans and bound only for the big name courses would see that there is much more to this game than putting a notch on your belt for a bucket list course.

jay65 · June 8, 2013

Very true. I guess its all in the tv coverage and marketing though. Some people are sucked into believing that the history of the game starts and finishes at St Andrews and the other big names. Little do many know of the Golfing History and fantastic Courses in Scotland that are every bit as good, at less than half the cost. But I can understand the need for some to want to play the big names too. It envokes some bragging rights I guess when they get home, meanwhile the Big name Courses are rubbing their hands together, when they see them driving through the gates. Lol. I live near Prestwick, Scotland, and although I love Prestwick Golf Club, and its querky nature, and the locals are very friendly. Many visitors also go up the road and play Royal Troon, Turnberry, and the other big names in Ayrshire, and many don't find the time to play such great Courses in the area such as West Kilbride, Irvine Bogside etc. Its the same all over Scotland, as you know.

Anyhow, I'm so glad you had a great time, and hope you we will see you and your family over here again soon.