Scotland Trip

[djf82]

Hello All, Long time lurker, first time poster here. My father, brother and I are going to Scotland this Saturday for a golf trip. We have all tee times and logistics arranged but figured someone may have some advice that we hadn't considered. We will be in St Andrews (playing The Old Course, Kingsbarns and Castle Course), then in the Highlands (Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart) and Turnberry to play the Ailsa Course. We then end with 2 days in Edinburgh and playing North Berwick. If anyone has any off the beaten path restaurants, sites, or just general advice it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[hollabachgt]

When you're in St. Andrews DO NOT pass up a round on the ladies putting course! It's the best [color=#252525]£2 you can spend. [/color]

[color=#252525]If you have time, try to stop by and play Musselburgh Links with hickories. Not only can you add another course to your list of Open Championship venues, you can play it with the same equipment used when the Open was held there. [/color]

[color=#252525]Finally, When you're near North Berwick, Plan on spending an evening at Ducks Kilspindie House. Great food and an out of this world Scotch list. [/color]

[drn92]

Great advice on the putting course. Play it later in the day and enjoy the way the shadows and sunlight changes the look of the old course.

drn92

[duffer987]

Welcome to the forum
I posted a review of my trip last year here, maybe a bit of food for thought: [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1110875-wonderful-scotland-golf-trip-reviewinfo/"]http://www.golfwrx.c...rip-reviewinfo/[/url]
Warm brown beer is apparently an acquired taste, but for me cask ale is where it's at, so along with the pub I mentioned in the link I'd also suggest the Abbotsford Bar in Edi for a large selection of real cask ale.
I'd also suggest this site for finding a decent pub ([url="http://www.beerintheevening.com/"]http://www.beerintheevening.com/[/url]) if you want to have a proper pint or two after your rounds.

I know you said you've got the logistics sorted already and the itinerary is set, but I would strongly suggest swapping out the Castle Course for just about any other course you could think of wanting to play. New/Jubilee or Carnoustie while you are in St. Andrews or maybe tweak your leaving times between your hubs to fit in Royal Aberdeen or Cruden Bay on the drive up North, Prestwick or Western Gailes when down in Ayrshire or Gullane or Dunbar when in East Lothian.

That said, you're going to have a fantastic time regardless. Enjoy it!

[prsgtrman]

plan on taking a shower at north berwick. the facilities are top notch. also if you guys have the desire and time i would recommend playing the glen the same day. its 1/2 mile away.

when in st andrews if you get drunk and want food there is a good doner stand beside the hostel on the main street.

[vtnerf]

St Andrews: The Dunvegan. If you can fit it in between pints, get the sticky toffee pudding.
As for the town itself, take a few hours to stroll around. Amazing place.
Kingsbarns is just flat out phenomenal for its age. Fun course and great views. (On a clear day you see Carnoustie.)

[2bGood]

Have a great time! One thing I might change is the Castle Course is the week link of the courses you are playing. Not a great course (compared to the others) and you might get more out of your experience if you play the New Course or Jubilee course instead and play them as a warm up to the Old. The old course as some very crazy greens, same views as Kingsbarns - but kingsbarns is 10x better.

My other massice advice!!!!! MUST read.

Take a Caddie on the Old Course! They have great caddies and the Old Course is not so easy to know where it hit the ball etc without one. On that note you should read an "American Caddie in St Andrews" before you go.

Anyhow have fun - I love it over there!

[vtnerf]

[quote name='2bGood' timestamp='1434029357' post='11731214']
Have a great time! One thing I would through out there is the Castle Course is the week link of the courses you are playing. Not a great course (compared to the others) and you might get more out of your experience if you play the New Course or Jubilee course instead and play them as a warm up to the Old.

My other massice advice!!!!! MUST read.

Take a Caddie on the Old Course! They have agreat caddies and the Old Course is not so easy to know where it hit the ball etc without one. On that note you should read an "American Caddie in St Andrews" before you go.
[/quote]
Bingo. On all points. The Jubilee course is solid. And you don't need a caddie. It actually is what you see is what you get for the most part. (And if you read the book suggested above, you'll see that the caddies HATE being on the Jube's if they aren't playing themselves. Got to see first hand many of the signals due to my playing partners, and the caddies were actually finishing holes for their loops by the end of the round.)

[Hathstauwk]

I have been to St Andrews a number of times and my most recent trip was the first time I played the Castle Course. As I saw a couple other contributors here say, it is not my favorite, at all. Granted, I may not have the most objective opinion because that day, the wind was blowing about 60-70 kph and I was sick so was sore and stiff all over, which made a smooth swing virtually impossible. There are those that absolutely love it so stick with the itinerary and form your own opinion.

I personally love the New Course and Jubilee and again, a someone here already said, they are great warm ups for the Old Course.

Also agree.....get a caddie for the Old Course!! And phone ahead to reserve it in case they are none left when you get there. Truly the best money spent and they will help reading the greens, too. Believe me, there were several times where I had to second guess and say "really? It breaks that way? I thought it went the other way" and he just said "do it. Trust me". I had a pretty good day on the greens!

[djf82]

Thanks everyone for the advice so far and have switched the castle course to the new course. We are taking caddies everywhere as we truly believe that adds to the whole experience. We also have dinner reservations most evenings at 830PM and have left a few nights open for pub type food. We are visiting the Glenmorangie distillery in the Highlands. We are big scotch drinkers so if anyone has any particular suggestions in that regard, that would be great. Would love another distillery recommendation if anyone might have one. Thanks again!

[Hathstauwk]

[quote name='djf82' timestamp='1434032182' post='11731514']Thanks everyone for the advice so far and have switched the castle course to the new course. We are taking caddies everywhere as we truly believe that adds to the whole experience. We also have dinner reservations most evenings at 830PM and have left a few nights open for pub type food. We are visiting the Glenmorangie distillery in the Highlands. We are big scotch drinkers so if anyone has any particular suggestions in that regard, that would be great. Would love another distillery recommendation if anyone might have one. Thanks again![/quote]

Despite spending much time there and having lived in Aberdeen for a short while, I was only introduced to the proper way to drink scotch from a fine Scottish lass during my most recent stay in Scotland. She had me sample some from an extensive scotch selection at a restaurant in Aberdeen. Based upon what she tried and had me try, I would recommend a distillery that is not as well known due to its small production but is very good.....Royal Lochnigar. It is based near the Balmoral Castle but not sure exact location. Even if you do not visit it, try a dram or two in a bar or pick up a bottle at the airport. You will not likely find it back home.

[prsgtrman]

we enjoyed a bunch of "jura" whiskey. very good.

[sabram]

[quote name='djf82' timestamp='1434032182' post='11731514']
We are visiting the Glenmorangie distillery in the Highlands. We are big scotch drinkers so if anyone has any particular suggestions in that regard, that would be great. Would love another distillery recommendation if anyone might have one. Thanks again!
[/quote]

If you are anywhere near Gleneagles, visit the Tullibardine distillery. Great tour and tastings

[Gem]

Good choice dropping the Castle Course. The greens are just silly and there are just too many false looking little mounds. Could be improved easilly to make it a very good course.

You will love StAndrews. I live in Scotland and go there often for short breaks. The whole experience is fantastic from the courses to the town itself.

Have a great time and post up your review when you get back.

[TheInfidel]

You've got the golf pretty much sorted. The Castle is good and they have tweaked the greens recently based on some feedback. An under rated gem in St Andrews is either of the courses at the Fairmont, particularly the Kittocks which runs by the ocean on a few holes. In any other town it would be the Crowning glory, in St Andrews its a very cheap alternative. You could also try the Dukes which is actually a heath land course, not links or park land.

Just as important, food and beer!

St Andrews

Forgans http://www.forgansstandrews.co.uk/
Ziggys http://www.ziggysrestaurant.co.uk/
The Seafood Restaurant http://www.theseafoodrestaurant.com/
All the pubs are good, soak up the history

Edinburgh

Wannaburger (with Craft Beer) http://www.wannaburger.com/
Shebeen http://www.shebeenbar.co.uk/
For a "dram" http://www.ghillie-dhu.co.uk/
Oldest pub in Edinburgh http://www.thesheepheidedinburgh.co.uk/
Try some Edinburgh Gin http://www.edinburghgindistillery.co.uk/about-edinburgh-gin/
Scottish fare http://www.angelswithbagpipes.co.uk/

[2bGood]

[quote name='TheInfidel' timestamp='1434110871' post='11737440']
You've got the golf pretty much sorted. The Castle is good and they have tweaked the greens recently based on some feedback. An under rated gem in St Andrews is either of the courses at the Fairmont, particularly the Kittocks which runs by the ocean on a few holes. In any other town it would be the Crowning glory, in St Andrews its a very cheap alternative. You could also try the Dukes which is actually a heath land course, not links or park land.

Just as important, food and beer!

St Andrews

Forgans [url="http://www.forgansstandrews.co.uk/"]http://www.forgansstandrews.co.uk/[/url]
Ziggys [url="http://www.ziggysrestaurant.co.uk/"]http://www.ziggysrestaurant.co.uk/[/url]
The Seafood Restaurant [url="http://www.theseafoodrestaurant.com/"]http://www.theseafoodrestaurant.com/[/url]
All the pubs are good, soak up the history

Edinburgh

Wannaburger (with Craft Beer) [url="http://www.wannaburger.com/"]http://www.wannaburger.com/[/url]
Shebeen [url="http://www.shebeenbar.co.uk/"]http://www.shebeenbar.co.uk/[/url]
For a "dram" [url="http://www.ghillie-dhu.co.uk/"]http://www.ghillie-dhu.co.uk/[/url]
Oldest pub in Edinburgh [url="http://www.thesheepheidedinburgh.co.uk/"]http://www.thesheeph...dinburgh.co.uk/[/url]
Try some Edinburgh Gin [url="http://www.edinburghgindistillery.co.uk/about-edinburgh-gin/"]http://www.edinburgh...-edinburgh-gin/[/url]
Scottish fare [url="http://www.angelswithbagpipes.co.uk/"]http://www.angelswithbagpipes.co.uk/[/url]
[/quote]

The Sheep Heid Inn is great - they actually claim to be the oldest pub in Scotland. My Wife and I always go orf dinner there when in Scotland - wonderful food in a very rustic pub enviroment.

Just to add to the chat here. St Andrews actually sells a pass to golf all their courses as much as you like over a number of days. the 3 day pass (does not have to be consecutive days but exludes the Old) goes for 200 BPS . I am a golf nut and in my last stay used this to make sure to golfed all the St Andrews course multiple times. I sounds like you want to enjoy the culture, but if not and you are basing your basing yourself out of St Andrews it means you can play links golf as much as you like - a fast 9 before heading to kingbarns, play the 18 after etc.

Keep in mind though, play 54 holes per day when I was there. It sounds like a huge number of rounds but all my rounds were under 3 hours so I still had lots of time for fun in the evening and I was only on my feet for 9 -10hours

[djf82]

Just wanted to thank everyone for your suggestions/opinions. Will post review upon my return.

[2bGood]

[quote name='djf82' timestamp='1434220245' post='11745186']
Just wanted to thank everyone for your suggestions/opinions. Will post review upon my return.
[/quote]

Have a great time and do you best to just enjoy it! Stop and look around on the course and soak it all in. Bad shots, good shots or whatever you will be in the home of golf.