Fantasy trip: A month in Scotland UPDATED: DAILY ITINERARY ADDED

[scott_Donald]

18 minutes ago, jonnymc44 said:

Aha, I see. I thought I'd clicked on a general government website, but turns out it was the Borders local government website.

 

the school I worked at we would get off Thursday, then 2 full weeks and back on the Monday. It was awesome; summer to October was such a short term, not good for getting rugby teams setup and going though.

[philsRHman]

2 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

In the next few hours you will find out the fate fro Scotland and lockdown, Englands one yesterday was promising. Sturgeon just seems to copy England but make it slightly stricter(except. schools) saying she is playing it safe. 

If I’m reading it right, they’re moving in the right direction but virtually no shot of allowing international visitors by my May arrival.  What’s a little tricky to decipher is that all the news reports I’m reading are about Scots traveling abroad, but I assume that’s because they’re speaking to a Scottish audience, and I should assume when it says no international travel through the summer I should take that to mean both outgoing and incoming. 

[scott_Donald]

20 minutes ago, philsRHman said:

If I’m reading it right, they’re moving in the right direction but virtually no shot of allowing international visitors by my May arrival.  What’s a little tricky to decipher is that all the news reports I’m reading are about Scots traveling abroad, but I assume that’s because they’re speaking to a Scottish audience, and I should assume when it says no international travel through the summer I should take that to mean both outgoing and incoming. 

read https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56170916

 

basically, nothing changes in the short run but mid April things should change. Basically she has no idea and covering her a**, reaction at home has not gone down well at all! 

[srs06d]

@philsRHman Any new developments on you end? I have to let Muirfield know if I'm cancelling or rescheduling by 3/1 and I'm struggling to commit to anything at this point. Part of me thinks I should take the money and run since that isn't what I did last time around. The other part is hopeful I'm going to wake up to a miracle. My wife is over being my sounding board so figured I'd try to find some solace here!

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, srs06d said:

@philsRHman Any new developments on you end? I have to let Muirfield know if I'm cancelling or rescheduling by 3/1 and I'm struggling to commit to anything at this point. Part of me thinks I should take the money and run since that isn't what I did last time around. The other part is hopeful I'm going to wake up to a miracle. My wife is over being my sounding board so figured I'd try to find some solace here!

What date is your Muirfield time for? 

[srs06d]

Scheduled for 4/29, they are giving a 30 day window. Unfortunately I think I’ll be sending out the cancellation email tomorrow. 

[philsRHman]

11 hours ago, srs06d said:

@philsRHman Any new developments on you end? I have to let Muirfield know if I'm cancelling or rescheduling by 3/1 and I'm struggling to commit to anything at this point. Part of me thinks I should take the money and run since that isn't what I did last time around. The other part is hopeful I'm going to wake up to a miracle. My wife is over being my sounding board so figured I'd try to find some solace here!

I’m feeling like my chances are down to 5-10% and plotting a move to October or next spring. My fight would May 8 and I have somehow managed not to limit my exposure right now to only above $200 in a nonrefundable deposit for one of the places I’m staying. I have to tell North Berwick in about 18 days what I plan to do. They already said even if I cancel and then make the trip they’ll find spots for me. 
 

Funny, I’m in the same boat, wife has heard enough about this trip. She’s totally supportive but I know to read the room. 
 

I’m afraid it’s going to come down to this question: is it worth the 10-day quarantine stay (about $2300US) to avoid waiting for a future trip? I know I’m unlikely to ever get this long away again (both work and home) so if I could negotiate a fourth week to salvage 10 days of quarantine and 18 days of golf, would that be worth the $2300? I’m leaning no at the moment. 
 

Overall I’m not optimistic. If May is the earliest they’ll open golf, restaurants, lodging, will they also relent the quarantine? Almost certainly not. 

[scott_Donald]

52 minutes ago, philsRHman said:

I’m feeling like my chances are down to 5-10% and plotting a move to October or next spring. My fight would May 8 and I have somehow managed not to limit my exposure right now to only above $200 in a nonrefundable deposit for one of the places I’m staying. I have to tell North Berwick in about 18 days what I plan to do. They already said even if I cancel and then make the trip they’ll find spots for me. 
 

Funny, I’m in the same boat, wife has heard enough about this trip. She’s totally supportive but I know to read the room. 
 

I’m afraid it’s going to come down to this question: is it worth the 10-day quarantine stay (about $2300US) to avoid waiting for a future trip? I know I’m unlikely to ever get this long away again (both work and home) so if I could negotiate a fourth week to salvage 10 days of quarantine and 18 days of golf, would that be worth the $2300? I’m leaning no at the moment. 
 

Overall I’m not optimistic. If May is the earliest they’ll open golf, restaurants, lodging, will they also relent the quarantine? Almost certainly not. 

 

 

2300???

 

[philsRHman]

7 minutes ago, scott_Donald said:

 

 

2300???

 

It’s 1750£. Seems insane but if that’s what it takes ... 

Believe it or not my wife just suggested if I leave 2-3 days early then it wouldn’t totally derail my itinerary. Maybe it would be worth exploring the loophole you mentioned because if I could fly to Heathrow, spending my first day (which doesn’t count as a quarantine day) getting from London to Edinburgh then I could self isolate in the apartment I’m planning to rent for about 60quid a day instead of 3x that. 

[scott_Donald]

57 minutes ago, philsRHman said:

It’s 1750£. Seems insane but if that’s what it takes ... 

Believe it or not my wife just suggested if I leave 2-3 days early then it wouldn’t totally derail my itinerary. Maybe it would be worth exploring the loophole you mentioned because if I could fly to Heathrow, spending my first day (which doesn’t count as a quarantine day) getting from London to Edinburgh then I could self isolate in the apartment I’m planning to rent for about 60quid a day instead of 3x that. 

 

certainly don't fly direct to Scotland, that would be silly.

 

you would arrive Heathrow 7am ish and be in Edinburgh for 11 easy. that's what I do via Manchester or Heathrow back from Houston, I never go a direct Scotland flight. 

Edited February 26, 2021 by scott_Donald

[srs06d]

14 hours ago, philsRHman said:

I’m feeling like my chances are down to 5-10% and plotting a move to October or next spring. My fight would May 8 and I have somehow managed not to limit my exposure right now to only above $200 in a nonrefundable deposit for one of the places I’m staying. I have to tell North Berwick in about 18 days what I plan to do. They already said even if I cancel and then make the trip they’ll find spots for me. 
 

Funny, I’m in the same boat, wife has heard enough about this trip. She’s totally supportive but I know to read the room. 
 

I’m afraid it’s going to come down to this question: is it worth the 10-day quarantine stay (about $2300US) to avoid waiting for a future trip? I know I’m unlikely to ever get this long away again (both work and home) so if I could negotiate a fourth week to salvage 10 days of quarantine and 18 days of golf, would that be worth the $2300? I’m leaning no at the moment. 
 

Overall I’m not optimistic. If May is the earliest they’ll open golf, restaurants, lodging, will they also relent the quarantine? Almost certainly not. 

I can't imagine Scotland will do away with the quarantine hotels too soon given all the logistics and commitments that were probably made arranging them. I had the go ahead for a 5 day quarantine but no way I can make 10 work with two toddlers at home or stomach the extra $$$. If you can make the time away work then flying through England and quarantining at much lower rate would be the way to go. I saw some reasonable AirBNB/VRBO around Edinburgh that included outdoor gardens/patios that would make the 10 days much more manageable than being locked away in a hotel room.

 

Also, at this point I could care less about pubs/restaurants, just want to play some golf! I'd be content playing 36 a day and eating cereal and water in my car. 

Edited February 26, 2021 by srs06d

[hammergolf]

16 hours ago, srs06d said:

Scheduled for 4/29, they are giving a 30 day window. Unfortunately I think I’ll be sending out the cancellation email tomorrow. 

Sad to hear that, hopefully you will be able to make the trip in the future. 

[philsRHman]

11 hours ago, srs06d said:

I can't imagine Scotland will do away with the quarantine hotels too soon given all the logistics and commitments that were probably made arranging them. I had the go ahead for a 5 day quarantine but no way I can make 10 work with two toddlers at home or stomach the extra $$$. If you can make the time away work then flying through England and quarantining at much lower rate would be the way to go. I saw some reasonable AirBNB/VRBO around Edinburgh that included outdoor gardens/patios that would make the 10 days much more manageable than being locked away in a hotel room.

 

Also, at this point I could care less about pubs/restaurants, just want to play some golf! I'd be content playing 36 a day and eating cereal and water in my car. 

So true about the cereal and golf. It dawned on me that if i fly into London instead, that allows me to save a ton (either on a low price Airbnb in London) or just train to Edi (loophole I suppose, don’t want to break the rules but if that’s how it works, that’s how it works). 

 

21 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

 

certainly don't fly direct to Scotland, that would be silly.

 

you would arrive Heathrow 7am ish and be in Edinburgh for 11 easy. that's what I do via Manchester or Heathrow back from Houston, I never go a direct Scotland flight. 

Do you mean because of the hotel quarantine? I’m able to get cheaper direct flights Newark to EDI than to Heathrow. Or is there a catch I’m missing. 

[scott_Donald]

2 hours ago, philsRHman said:

So true about the cereal and golf. It dawned on me that if i fly into London instead, that allows me to save a ton (either on a low price Airbnb in London) or just train to Edi (loophole I suppose, don’t want to break the rules but if that’s how it works, that’s how it works). 

 

Do you mean because of the hotel quarantine? I’m able to get cheaper direct flights Newark to EDI than to Heathrow. Or is there a catch I’m missing. 

 

because of hotel quarantine.

 

strange from Houston flights to the main hubs are far cheaper than via New York to Edinburgh. 

[ousuxndallas]

How does the quarantine work? How do they enforce it, do they escort you from the airport to the hotel and keep you under locked guard?

 

I just don't see how any of this is enforceable. 

[scott_Donald]

3 minutes ago, ousuxndallas said:

How does the quarantine work? How do they enforce it, do they escort you from the airport to the hotel and keep you under locked guard?

 

I just don't see how any of this is enforceable. 

basically if you are hotel quarantining.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56095362

 

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/scotland/hotel-quarantine-begins-for-international-arrivals-to-scotland/

 

proof of loop hole

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56078511

[philsRHman]

I don’t know London at all. How big a pain is it getting from the airport to the train, lugging my clubs and luggage? I guess I’d have the option to stay and spend those 10 days in London or make my way to Edinburgh, or get all the way to North Berwick as originally planned. As mentioned upthread, it would be critical to find a place close to food delivery, a kitchen, enough space to work. My rental flat in North Berwick fits the bill, but raises its own issues because there’s not much reason to have a rental car while I’m locked in for 10 days. And trekking back and forth from NB to EDI by train on arrival day and end of quarantine day to get a car seems silly. 
 

Of course this is all moot if they don’t roll back restrictions, because if the trip was tomorrow, even after 10 days I couldn’t play golf or rent a B&B since I’m not local. So I’m still trying not to get my hopes up too high. 

[ousuxndallas]

36 minutes ago, scott_Donald said:

basically if you are hotel quarantining.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56095362

 

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/scotland/hotel-quarantine-begins-for-international-arrivals-to-scotland/

 

proof of loop hole

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56078511

Thanks. Looks they escort you at customs to the hotel transport. 

 

 

[2bGood]

On 2/16/2021 at 3:24 PM, philsRHman said:

And I’m pretty sure they require them through March as a matter of routine, which is why I’d agree it will just continue through. 
 

Glad to hear the endorsement of October. Maybe I’ll aim to be in North Berwick the two weeks of the Dunhill and then get to St Andrews after it’s done. I was so excited about having daylight until 930 pm. Sunset in October quickly drops through the month from 630 to 545 which would might make 36 a day a challenge. 

Will have to make a sacrifice somewhere. I suppose better weather, smaller crowds and shorter days is a better trade than the issue of the Old mats. But I’d feel foolish to short-sightedly avoid the mats if they’re actually not bad. 

 Not sure if it is relevant to you, but played the OC later April in an Open year (2015) and there was no mats needed. They did have a few smallish 'landing areas' roped off that you got a free drop from. Of course these were the areas the pro's land it and as it turns out I think I only recall being in one. I can only recall them a few holes, so either I was not near them most of the round- or they were not a very big deal. I think it was the later. 

[philsRHman]

19 hours ago, 2bGood said:

 Not sure if it is relevant to you, but played the OC later April in an Open year (2015) and there was no mats needed. They did have a few smallish 'landing areas' roped off that you got a free drop from. Of course these were the areas the pro's land it and as it turns out I think I only recall being in one. I can only recall them a few holes, so either I was not near them most of the round- or they were not a very big deal. I think it was the later. 

Great to hear, thanks for sharing. That’s kind of how I’m reading their note. I’m sure they write it intentionally vague so they can adjust accordingly as they need to. Better to scare off some people since you’ll sell out anyway, rather than disappoint someone like us who might really care. 

[Divot License]

On 2/28/2021 at 1:06 AM, philsRHman said:

I don’t know London at all. How big a pain is it getting from the airport to the train, lugging my clubs and luggage? I guess I’d have the option to stay and spend those 10 days in London or make my way to Edinburgh, or get all the way to North Berwick as originally planned. As mentioned upthread, it would be critical to find a place close to food delivery, a kitchen, enough space to work. My rental flat in North Berwick fits the bill, but raises its own issues because there’s not much reason to have a rental car while I’m locked in for 10 days. And trekking back and forth from NB to EDI by train on arrival day and end of quarantine day to get a car seems silly. 
 

Of course this is all moot if they don’t roll back restrictions, because if the trip was tomorrow, even after 10 days I couldn’t play golf or rent a B&B since I’m not local. So I’m still trying not to get my hopes up too high. 

Both major London airports have train terminals that connect to the main London terminals. From there you can go pretty much anywhere within Great Britain.

[philsRHman]

Looks like my trip is going to take care of itself. My wife broke her foot this weekend and needs surgery next week. In the best case scenario she would just be up and better around the week I go. At this point I think fates are conspiring and I’m about to pull the plug. I also noticed this week that United is no longer flying direct Newark to EDI in May, which seems like a sign that restrictions aren’t about the lift. I’ll probably give it a few more days just to let the shock of her injury wear off but I think my hopes plunged from 50% to 1% in the past few days. 

[Bbo569]

6 hours ago, philsRHman said:

Looks like my trip is going to take care of itself. My wife broke her foot this weekend and needs surgery next week. In the best case scenario she would just be up and better around the week I go. At this point I think fates are conspiring and I’m about to pull the plug. I also noticed this week that United is no longer flying direct Newark to EDI in May, which seems like a sign that restrictions aren’t about the lift. I’ll probably give it a few more days just to let the shock of her injury wear off but I think my hopes plunged from 50% to 1% in the past few days. 

Sorry to hear that.  I am currently in the process of re-booking my April trip for the third time to April 2022.  If it doesn't happen by then, then we are all doomed!

[srs06d]

7 hours ago, philsRHman said:

Looks like my trip is going to take care of itself. My wife broke her foot this weekend and needs surgery next week. In the best case scenario she would just be up and better around the week I go. At this point I think fates are conspiring and I’m about to pull the plug. I also noticed this week that United is no longer flying direct Newark to EDI in May, which seems like a sign that restrictions aren’t about the lift. I’ll probably give it a few more days just to let the shock of her injury wear off but I think my hopes plunged from 50% to 1% in the past few days. 

Sorry to hear about the injury. Hope for a quick recovery! I was scheduled to fly United 4/22 & 4/30. Received my cancellation email yesterday. 4/1 was supposed to be the first day of Newark to Edinburgh flights so it looks like they’re starting the rolling cancellations for April. 

[Oufcfan]

I’ve just moved my trip up to St Andrews from May to August (2021) having originally been scheduled for May 2020.

they offered to move it to May 2022, but with the possibility of fairway mats in places, I thought it was better to go this summer.

 

Plus, I feel that restrictions should be lifted by August, but there’ll almost certainly be some level of restrictions coming back through next winter, probably Oct/Nov onwards. 
 

it’s a bit of lottery either way at the moment though. Let’s just hope for the best!

[scott_Donald]

8 hours ago, philsRHman said:

Looks like my trip is going to take care of itself. My wife broke her foot this weekend and needs surgery next week. In the best case scenario she would just be up and better around the week I go. At this point I think fates are conspiring and I’m about to pull the plug. I also noticed this week that United is no longer flying direct Newark to EDI in May, which seems like a sign that restrictions aren’t about the lift. I’ll probably give it a few more days just to let the shock of her injury wear off but I think my hopes plunged from 50% to 1% in the past few days. 

 

Wow hope your wife recovers quick!

 

So you looking for when now?

[shortstop20]

1 hour ago, Oufcfan said:

I’ve just moved my trip up to St Andrews from May to August (2021) having originally been scheduled for May 2020.

they offered to move it to May 2022, but with the possibility of fairway mats in places, I thought it was better to go this summer.

 

Plus, I feel that restrictions should be lifted by August, but there’ll almost certainly be some level of restrictions coming back through next winter, probably Oct/Nov onwards. 
 

it’s a bit of lottery either way at the moment though. Let’s just hope for the best!

 

Did you have a tee time for the Old Course to rebook? Were they accommodating? I had already moved mine from June 2020 to June 2021 and now looks like I will have to try to move it to fall 2021 or 2022 after the Open. 

 

My flight on United from Chicago to Edinburgh was also cancelled yesterday. 

Edited March 9, 2021 by shortstop20

[Oufcfan]

9 hours ago, shortstop20 said:

 

Did you have a tee time for the Old Course to rebook? Were they accommodating? I had already moved mine from June 2020 to June 2021 and now looks like I will have to try to move it to fall 2021 or 2022 after the Open. 

 

My flight on United from Chicago to Edinburgh was also cancelled yesterday. 

We had one of the advance reservations, to play The Jubilee & The Old Course, 2 days in May.

I sent an email to the reservations team last year when we had to move it and they were great. 

 

So when it came to rearranging again this year, I replied to the email they sent me in July. And again, they replied within 48 hours. Told me they were running low on spaces in 2021 and that I’d have to be quick if I wanted to push it back to later this summer. Otherwise they could get us in for May 2022.

I asked a few further questions about the possibility of winter mats etc if we went next year and after 4/5 days of talking it over with my group, asked to try for this summer. They’re extremely busy as you can imagine but they gave me new dates for August after about 2 days of the last email. Then reservation confirmation 3/4 days after that.

 

I’d recommend making the decision sooner rather than later, even if it does look more promising at the moment.

 

They don’t take visitors in September, so it would be July, Aug, or Oct for “summer” 2021.

[philsRHman]

I agree that the ladies in reservations have been absolutely top notch. They’ve been very willing to talk through options. Unfortunately they’re unable to offer anything in October even as a single, they’re that jammed.
 

But they offered to move me to May of 2022. Like you guys, I’m a little nervous about mats but at this point I’m weighing options (sorry if redundant to ab earlier post but this is cathartic as down in the dumps as I am): 

 

October Pros:

- Should be nice weather.

- Traditionally smaller crowds.

- Time for vaccinations and new travel programs.
- I have a ton of vacation time in 2021.

- It would not interfere in coaching my sons Little League team. 

- Most state golf tournament qualifiers are in the spring so I’d miss most. 

October Cons:

- Potential preemptive lockdown before winter.

- Shorter days.

- No Old Course tee time. 
- In theory my game will be peaking just in time to hang it up for winter. 
- might actually be packed due to pent up demand (although both my lodging are still available)

May (or April) ‘22 pros:

- weather good 

- Old Course tee time 

- a full year of covid vaccines

- would be a great way to gear up for a summer of golf at home

- best chance for a full reopening of pubs etc

May ‘22 cons:

- Old course mats

- likely very crowded given 20 and 21 rebookings

- conflicts with stuff at home (little league season, possible family vacation)

 

 

As I write all that, I sure am leaning toward October.
 

 

 

[scott_Donald]

As a single, just go turn up on the day for the Old Course and you will Get on. How early you have to be there seems to vary day to day! Clocks have not gone back yet but it will be getting dark at 6 ish in October.