John Rattray on Leith Links on 7 March 1744? …Maybe!
7 March 1744 – Why Is It Such An Important Date In Golfing History?
Sunday is the 7th March which is not particularly significant this year. However, If you look back 277 years, you may find that it is probably the most important date in the history of golf.
Why? Well, it’s the date when the first rules of golf were introduced. Without these rules, we would not have the game we call ‘golf’ today!
13 Rules of Golf
There were 13 of them in total, handwritten on 2 sheets of paper. These first 13 rules differentiated golf from any other stick and ball game at the time.
They also unified the variety of ‘golf’ games, into one game, governed by these rules. Without the instigation, moulding and developing of these rules, golf wouldn’t be the game that we know and love today.
So why were the rules set up in the first place?
In 1744, the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links asked Edinburgh town council for a prize for an annual golf competition. The golfers had been jealous of the local archers, who received a silver arrow from the town council for a competition in 1709.
The Edinburgh town council finally presented the golfers with a silver golf club, to be played for, over Leith Links. This was on the understanding that The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links set down rules that would govern the game of golf.
The event was to be the first ever ‘open’ golf competition worldwide, played under the first rules of golf.
A Cairn on Leith Links marking the 250th Anniversary of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (1744-1994) and that first ‘open’ golf competition on 7 March 1744
It was on the 7 March 1744 that The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links changed their name to the ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’. This group of golfers created the first 13 rules of golf.
John Rattray, who won the first annual competition, signed off these rules, as captain. The ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ later became the ‘Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ and now reside at Muirfieldin East Lothian, Scotland.
John Rattray Statue
When I last wrote about the origins of the rules of golf, The Leith Rules Golf Society had been fundraising for a bronze cast statue of John Rattray. So I am delighted to report that on a recent visit to Leith Links, I can confirm that the statue has now been unveiled.
This is a fantastic piece of work by sculptorDavid Annand. The statue and plaques truly commemorate the fascinating life of John Rattray. They also celebrate Leith Links in Edinburgh as the place where the modern-day game of golf started.
“On the tee from The Company of Edinburgh Golfers….. John Rattray”
The Home of Golf – Scotland or…Leith Links?
The fact that rules were drawn up was very important for the development of the game. It ensured regulation and set the benchmark for the sport moving forward.
These rules formed the basis of the modern game and led to Scotland being viewed as the ancestral Home of Golf.
The original cairn which commemorates Leith Links as the Home of Golf, still lies about 400yds south west of the new statue. A further 3 plaques have been added to the tee where the new statue stands.
The first of the new plaques describes the life of John Rattray. The second lists the original rules of golf and the third notes the key people and sponsors involved in marking this piece of golfing history.
The original Cairn at Leith LinksThe three new plaques, set in stone, stand next to John Rattray on the first tee.
When restrictions allow, a visit to Leith Links and the John Rattray statue is essential for those who love a bit of golfing history.
By using the website What3Words.com you will find the exact spot of where John Rattray & the 3 plaques can be found – use these 3 words to pin point the area on the map or just clink the link. ///layers.goal.judge The original cairn which is about 400 yards away can be found using these 3 words on the website or just click the link ///brains.simple.quiz
The geographical term, The Home of Golf, will always be associated with Scotland, in the eyes of the golfing world. However, in Scotland, at its golfing core, Leith Links is the place where the term finds its origin, in the modern-day game.
And the date ‘7 March 1744′? …well, it has now been set in stone!
Winter Golf In Scotland – Here’s Our 17 Point Checklist!
Winter golf in Scotland has many benefits – you can, at times, have the course to yourself, you can get around a lot quicker, green fees can be 30-70% cheaper than summer time, to name a few.
However, whenever playing winter golf on any Scottish course, there are 17 things you may want to consider before heading off, it’ll help manage expectations.
The Home of Golf’s
WINTER CHECKLIST
The Winter Golf Course
Conditions may require you to use fairway mats when golfing in the winter months.
Are there any winter tees or winter greens in play?
What condition are the greens in?
ie: have they been recently cored? left uncut to protect from frost, etc?
Are there any major winter course works in progress at the moment?
ie: Is the full course available or is it a composite/winter course?
Times / When to Play Winter Golf
Can we play at weekends? (many clubs restrict visitors on Saturdays to allow members to play)
What are the earliest/latest times for teeing off? (restricted daylight hours in winter)
You may want to consider teeing off a bit later, as frost can hit many courses early in the morning, resulting in the use of winter greens for the first few hours.
Another reason for considering a later tee time is that fog/mist (haar) can also delay an early start on our coastlines, particularly on the East coast.
The Clubhouse
Will the clubhouse be open when we arrive or when we get back in? (restricted hours in winter)
When does the kitchen close/last orders?
Are there changing / showering facilities for visitors?
If the clubhouse is not open, is there a professional shop?
Other Stuff When Playing Winter Golf
Does the club require us to bring along handicap certificates?
Be aware that Buggies are not always available due to wet &/or icy conditions.
Take some extra layers; it can get cold out there, particularly if the wind gets up!
Take a dry set of clothes with you……. just in case!
What is the club’s cancellation process – in terms of frost, fog, etc?
Green fees are substantially reduced when golfing in the winter, which means that if there are restricted tee times or mats required and winter greens in play, then these are the reasons for the discounted rate.
Wrap up & enjoy Scottish winter golf!
Golf On The North East 250… And 20+ Other Reasons To Visit
The North East 250 is a circular driving (or cycling /walking) route in the North East of Scotland. The route can be done clockwise from Aberdeen heading west along to Braemar, then head north up to the Moray coast at Spey Bay; from there you head along to Fraserburgh and then back down to Aberdeen again. Needless to say, it can be done anti-clockwise as well. 250 miles in total.
Where does the North East 250 start?
As it is a circular route you can start anywhere. Your starting point will be determined by where you are coming from. For example, if you’re travelling from Inverness then, Rothes or Spey Bay may be a good point. Glenshee and/or Aberdeen would be your best point to join the North East 250 if coming from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
No, it’s not. Please check out the North East 250 website – www.northeast250.com – for full details. The website will give you a good idea of your route. You may want to take a (physical) map as there are parts where you may not get a (mobile phone) signal. Alternatively, download the whole route to your phone.
How long does it take to go round The North East 250?
The route is 250 miles, so you could drive it within several hours but that’s not really the point. It’s full of history, castles and country houses, plenty of beaches to walk and hills to climb. You can kayak, fish, cycle, golf plus many more outdoor activities. I would suggest 4-6 days depending on what you enjoy doing.
Golfers will perhaps spend more time in Royal Deeside and the north and east coasts. Whilst whisky lovers will spend more time on the west side of the route touring around the Speyside region. There is something for everyone on the North East 250.
When is the best time to go around the North East 250?
The best time to travel around the North East 250 is from April to the end of September. The weather is milder and most of the historic buildings are open over this period. Balmoral Castle is the only exception as it closes when the Royal family are in residence in August.
What are the golf courses like?
You will find some of the best courses in Scotland, in this region. I have highlighted over 32 golf courses this week and over half of them are incredibly priced at £30 or less per round. In my opinion, the greens fees for many of these courses would be at least double if the courses were located more centrally in Scotland. What I am saying is, don’t judge the course by its green fee rate.
Playing 30+ courses in a short 4-6 day break around the North East 250 isn’t feasible. So pick and choose and build your own trip:
The North East 250 Courses are made up of:
8x 9 holes courses
5x Courses on the Royal Deeside Golf Ticket offer
8x Courses at £30 or under per round
6x Courses at £35 to £90 per round
5x Courses over £100 per round
I have added in all the non-golf places that I stopped at and hopefully they may be of interest to you and the non-golfers in your group.
The North East 250 Journey Begins – Leaving Aberdeen
I stayed at the Cults Hotel in the SW of Aberdeen so I had a quick and easy start the next morning onto the North East 250 route westwards towards Braemar. However, I visited Hazelhead golf courses the previous evening.
Hazelhead GC has two courses The MacKenzie Championship Course & The Pines Course. Obviously ideal for 36 holes in the one day and at £21 each per round, great value for money.
The MacKenzie Championship Course was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie who also designed Augusta National in the USA.
So my first stop on Day 1 was at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre.
Paul Lawrie has been one of Scotland’s finest golfers for many years. In addition to his MBE & OBE, he has won on the European Tour 8 times, played in over 600 European Tour events and represented Europe in 2 Ryder Cups.
His most notable victory was 20 years ago at the Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999, where he came from 10 shots behind on the final day to claim the Claret Jug.
It’s no surprise that he has created an excellent golf centre on the outskirts of Aberdeen. The centre has a large golf shop, 26 bay driving range, a lovely par3, 9 hole course with plenty of water hazards and well-contoured greens. This is a great place to improve both your long & short game and well worth a visit.
Deeside Golf Club has an 18 hole course (Haughton) and a 9 hole course (Blairs) – once again perfect for 2 rounds with a bite to eat in between rounds.
The clubhouse has fabulous views down to the 18th green and over the course which sits along the River Dee. There are opportunities to play in their opens coming up shortly:
Mixed Foursomes Open 2019 (7th July)
Men’s Open 2019 (14th July)
Ladies Open Greensomes 2019 (26th July)
Juniors Open 2019 (5th August)
As you head further west along the North East 250 route the next golf course you come to is Peterculter GC. The road to and from the course is very narrow so take your time.
The course at Peterculter weaves its way along the River Dee and is a relatively easy walking course.
Peterculter is the first course that you will come across that is part of the Royal Deeside Golf Ticket offer. This offer allows you to play the five courses at Peterculter GC, Aboyne GC, Banchory GC, Ballater GC & Braemar GC within a two week period for a total of £150 – £30 per course. This is great value at this time of year for courses of this quality.
Simply download the ticket link below and take it with you to the clubs –
A short drive from Peterculter GC, I came across Drum Castle, which until 40+ years ago was the seat of the Clan Irvine since 1325. It sits in lovely grounds that you can have a good wander about in.
Crathes Castle is further along the River Dee. The castle sits on over 500 acres of land that was given to the Burnett of Leys family by Robert the Bruce in 1323. If you’re into speedy zip wires and Tarzan swings, why not try out ‘Go Ape’ in the grounds of Crathes Castle.
A short drive westward along the North East 250, on the A93, brings you to Banchory where its golf course sits in the south west of the town itself.
Banchory GC sits, nestled in the trees along the banks of the River Dee and it’s where 1999 Open Champion, Paul Lawrie, had his first professional job.
The course runs along the River Dee which makes it is a fairly flat, easy walk with only a few inclines/declines here and there. The course has six par 3 holes and therefore this keeps the overall yardage of the course to under 6,000 yards. The par 3s are a feature of this course, as they range from under 100 yards to over 220 yards, plus a handful of elevation changes.
The par 3 16th Doo’cot (pictured) is one of Scotland’s shortest holes at 88 yards. The hole plays to an elevated green which sits next to a pigeon loft. It’s worth having a look where the 16th flag is when you tee off at the first, as the 16th green sits to the left of the first hole.
This is a short but enjoyable track. It sits in the town and if you’ve got your accommodation sorted close by, you won’t have much further to walk.
If 18 holes are too much to fit into your day whilst doing this route, then you have to head along to the lovely 9 hole course at Inchmarlo Golf Centre.
Inchmarlo Golf Centre’s Queens Course is a Graeme Webster designed 9 hole course. Additionally, the centre has a 20 bay driving range plus a short game area.
The course itself has a really good mix of par 3s and par 4s and it was looking in great condition when I visited. Water comes into play, as do the stone walls around the course, all of which add to the character of the course.
Another 9 hole course just along the road is the Tom Morris designed, Tarland Golf Course.
Playing 18 holes here will cost you £25 (M-F) & £28 (S-S) which is another bargain. The course is a parkland layout and stretches to just under 6,000 yards from the back tees. There is fairly penal rough if you start spraying the ball, so keep it on the short stuff and give yourself a chance.
Next up on the A93 is another course on the Royal Deeside Golf Ticket offer, Aboyne Golf Club.
This course is a mix of parkland on the front nine and heathland on the back nine. There are plenty of trees, and water frequently comes into play.
The first 8 holes play around the south of the clubhouse. The ninth hole takes you north, by the Loch of Aboyne, where the heathland feel to the course starts.
Aboyne GC has a number of Open competitions over the summer – click here to find out more details – www.aboynegolfclub.co.uk
Ballater Golf Course was next on my list of North East 250 courses. A lovely course with a mix of both parkland and heathland layout. It’s a relatively easy walking track but there is enough out there to test you. There are tiered & elevated greens and undulating fairways, with subtle mounds to keep you alert. This is a scenic course and ideal for a group outing or holiday golf in the highlands.
If you haven’t visited Balmoral Castle before I would recommend it. The Royal Family spend August at Balmoral so the castle is closed over this period. Check the website above for opening details.
The grounds are extensive and you could spend the whole day here. You can use their very useful audio guide as you walk around the estate.
– The Golf Course
Yes, there is a 9 hole golf course at Balmoral, which is used by the Royals and their guests.
The course used to be open for a handful for large corporate events each year. However, since the financial downturn in 2007/8 and the oil downturn in Aberdeen, the corporate events seem to have dried up.
As a result, the course has been opened up to the general public and now you & I can play 9/18 holes here. Well, maybe not me, as they never replied to my email that they asked me to send into them. I am sure you will fare much better.
Anyway, I visited the course, regardless, and walked around it – I didn’t play it, just for the record. At £200 per tee time, I wanted to check out what it was like first.
– What’s the course like?
It is a scenic course that has a slight intimidating approach to the first green, as a huge statue of Queen Victoria stands over to your left. On the right hand side an equally large statue of Prince Albert stands watching over to you. I did genuinely feel in the presence of Royalty & I took a moment to appreciate exactly where I was.
From the 2nd tee (above), you can see Crathie Kirk, before the hole leads you down to the River Dee and along its banks on the 3rd & 4th holes. You turn at the short 5th and work your way back up to the higher ground at the 8th & 9th.
As I say, a lovely scenic course with public access now. There are 4x tee times available on a Mon, Thur & Fri and this will cost £200 per tee time for 18 holes.
If you enjoy ticking off high profile courses then this is one you may want to consider, if you can find 3 friends to stump up £50 each. I’ll perhaps wait for my invite from Balmoral Estates before reviewing the course fully…. but I won’t hold my breath!
The last course in Royal Deeside is the highest golf course in Scotland at 1200 ft – Braemar. The course is also the fifth & final one that is part of the Royal Deeside Golf Ticket offer.
Despite being the highest course in Scotland it is a reasonably flat course and is just under 5,000 yards. The scenery is magnificent and you can normally spot all sorts of wildlife here, particularly deer and birds of prey.
The village of Braemar is a delightful place to wander around. Several hotels and pubs are available for lunch, dinner and refreshments. You will want to spend some time here and stretch your legs but as you head out of the village, make sure to leave time to stop at Braemar Castle.
One date to note is the Braemar Gathering (www.braemargathering.org) which is being held on Sat 7th September, so this will be a very busy time in the area.
Corgarff Castle is your next stop on your North East 250 route north. The unusual feature about this isolated castle is that it has a star-shaped perimeter wall which was added when it became a military base in 1746.
As you continue on the North East 250 north from Corgarff Castle, you soon enter the 58,000 acre Glenlivet estate which is part of Crown Estate Scotland. There are mountain bike trails to explore and 12 waymarked walks to choose from.
I went on the tour of the distillery but didn’t join in the whisky tasting. If you are driving, they package your whisky samples for you to take away and sample later on.
Packhorse Bridge (Old Bridge of Livet)
Stop for a picnic at the Packhorse Bridge over the River Livet outside the distillery. If you stop and look at the bridge you may notice something familiar about it. The bridge forms part of Glenlivet’s new logo (compare the bridge with the logo in the picture above). This bridge was favoured by smugglers and bootleggers in days gone by, as it helped them move their whisky across the water undetected.
Ballindalloch Castle has beautifully maintained grounds which surround the castle. Here, you’ll find all sorts of farm and wildlife such as red squirrels, lama, Shetland ponies and Aberdeen Angus cattle. If you look skyward you’ll see birds of prey and if you’re lucky you may even see the occasional Osprey.
This is definitely a place to stop and grab a tea/coffee and take in their magnificent gardens and grounds. It’s certainly one of the finest castles & gardens on the North East 250.
Next up is the Aberlour distillery. I had a quick look around its shop but didn’t do their tour. By this stage, you will realise you really are in Whisky Country and that there is a constant smell of whisky in the air or is it just the Angels’ share?
Linn Falls
Right next to Aberlour distillery is a short walk to Linn Falls. Cross the bridge at the entrance to Aberlour and walk along the river for 10-15 mins where you will come across Linn Falls. It’s not a long walk but a good excuse to get out the car for a while.
I would suggest that you stop at the Speyside Cooperage, as it’s the only cooperage in the UK with a visitor centre. The Speyside Cooperage produces and repairs around 150,000 casks each year.
These whisky casks are a vital part of the whisky industry and the Speyside Cooperage tour is a great way to find out why.
I had no idea how much work was involved in preparing the casks for their next batch of whisky. This is a good tour and worth going on.
My next whisky tour on the North East 250 was at Glenfiddich which was interesting and very informative. As before, I got to take away my tasting samples. I’m slowly beginning to understand the size of the whisky industry in Scotland and its economic value to our country.
My final whisky tour on the North East 250 was at the Glen Grant distillery in Rothes. I was fortunate to have a ‘one to one’ tour with the guide which was great.
After my final distillery trip, I was only 3-4 minutes away from Rothes Golf Club where I met up with John Milne, head greenskeeper at the club.
Rothes golf course is a beautifully maintained nine-hole course. It has 18 separate teeing areas which make both nines feel slightly different. It’s a parkland course with the first two holes having tree lined boundaries on the left, as you work your way up a gentle incline.
The third is the last of the tighter holes, as you head back down the hill. The course opens up from the fourth hole onwards.
John has worked hard on differentiating the front and back nine teeing areas. None more so that the 3rd and 12th, where the 12th tee is tucked way back into the woods, with an intimidating tee shot ahead of you. This is a great addition (see below).
The course sits very high up and the views are magnificent. I think I spotted at least 3-4 distilleries and, yet again, I was sure I could smell whisky in the air. If you’re doing the Whisky Trail be sure to stop off at the very scenic Rothes Golf Club. Nine holes and a whisky tour can both be done in the same afternoon as everything is so close together.
I can highly recommend an overnight stay at the Station Hotel in Rothes. It has recently been renovated to a high standard and it’s in a great spot for access to golf, whisky tours and exploring the area. It’s also a 3-4 minute walk from Glen Grant distillery.
As I emerged from Rothes golf club and my Whisky trail, I headed straight up north on the North East 250 to the Moray coastline at Spey Bay. It’s a course that you must play if you have the time – it’s only £25 & I have no idea why.
This is a very natural course and is a mix of heathland and links in style. It’s a straight out and back layout, along the Moray coastline. Be sure to stop by here.
No more than a drive and 5 iron, from Spey Bay golf course, is the Scottish Dolphin Centre. It’s free entry and survives on donations and the help of volunteers. There’s plenty of seabird watching and you can go on one of their walks or tours, with land based dolphin watching, from the shore.
Elevated above sea level, Buckpool Golf Course has great views across the Moray Firth towards the hills of Caithness. You will encounter gorse-lined fairways, challenging greens and cavernous bunkers that will test your game!
It’s not a links course although it’s right on the coast. However, I have visited the course several times over the years and it’s always had a links feel to it.
Strathlene is another cliff-top links-style course with fabulous views over the Moray Firth. This course is one of the ones you can put into the ‘£30 or under’ bracket in terms of its green fees. It represents great value for money and the views alone are worth the fee.
Bow Fiddle Rock
Next up as I head east on the North East 250 is Bow Fiddle Rock. It has to be one of the most photographed parts of the Moray coastline and very popular with Instagrammers.
Its formation dates back millions of years but today it’s a humble tourist attraction and seabird nesting spot. To give you a better idea of the scale of Bow Fiddle Rock, check out the size of the people at the bottom centre of the picture on the beach.
Cullen is a short distance from Bow Fiddle Rock and you have to stop off here. Under the large aqueduct, there is a car park next to the golf course & beach. A stroll along here shouldn’t be missed. There are several sea stacks on the beach and the golf course which are very unusual.
Cullen is home to Cullen Skink, a thick soup made with Scottish smoked haddock, onions and potatoes. Head up to the Cullen Bay Hotel for a bowl of their award-winning Cullen Skink. The view from the hotel is stunning.
Cullen Links is a short but interesting true links course – in fact, it is the shortest of the 246 true links courses worldwide. It was originally a 9 hole course laid out by Old Tom Morris but has been extended to 18 holes.
The views, from the elevated position on the 7th tee, over the course and out to the Moray Firth are superb on a clear day.
Portsoy Harbour
Portsoy sits on the Moray coast and has a beautiful 17th-century harbour. The village is well known for its annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival held in June. The event brings many people to the area and helps promote this stunning coastline.
The harbour at Portsoy has recently made the big screen in the remaking of the 1949 film ‘Whisky Galore’. The film is based on Compton MacKenzie’s novel of the same name. The 1949 version is a classic Ealing studios production and the remake (Whisky Galore 2016) helps keep the story alive with a new generation.
The story is based on actual events from the Second World War. The ship SS Politician ran aground on the sandbanks of the Isle of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. The story/film explains how the local community ‘helped’ salvage the cargo! I found both the original and the re-make films highly amusing and very entertaining.
Duff House Royal golf course is a beautiful parkland course on the banks of the River Deveron and in the grounds of Duff House. The course was re-designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie (also designed Augusta National) in 1923. This is a very picturesque and enjoyable course to play on the North East 250 route.
It’s normally £70 per person per round but substantial discounts for a four-ball at £220.
Duff House is a magnificent Georgian country house in Banff. This Category A listed building displays art collections from the National Galleries of Scotland. It was designed by William Adam in 1735 for William Duff. Since that date, it has been used as a family house, hotel, sanatorium, barracks and prisoner-of-war camp.
Yet another course with fabulous views on this dramatic North East 250 coastline is Royal Tarlair. It’s a clifftop parkland course and for £25-£30 you can play this course. The 13th hole is spectacular and many would pay £25-£30 just to play that hole. Great value for money.
Troup Head RSPB – largest colony of Gannets on mainland Britain www.rspb.org.uk
About a 20-minute drive from Duff House heading east along the coastline, you will come across Troup Head. Detailed directions can be found on the RSPB website link above.
As you walk out towards Troup Head, you suddenly become aware of the noise of tens of thousands of sea birds getting louder and louder. It’s an incredible sight and sound (take binoculars if you have them).
Troup Head is home to the largest colony of Gannets on mainland Britain and is in a spectacular spot. There are also thousands of kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills. I am led to believe that you can see puffins here but I wasn’t lucky enough to spot them… or I am just blind (these aren’t puffins in the picture above BTW)!
Pennan
The scenery is breath-taking in these parts and you won’t get a break from it for long, as you head along to Pennan. It’s a tiny isolated village, accessed by a short but steep descent on a road with tight hairpin bends.
Pennan became famous in the 1980s as the main location for the film ‘Local Hero’. A red telephone box appears as a central part in the film and it is still there today.
The truth of the matter is that the phone box was added as a prop in the film and then removed. However, there was such demand for it to be put back, that it was reinstated and found its permanent home here.
The last time I was in the area, I decided to miss out Rosehearty and took the main road to Banff ( I was heading in the opposite direction last time). This was a mistake but I didn’t make the same mistake this time.
Don’t get me wrong this is not a championship links course – no, it’s a short but charming 9 hole course with great views. There are some tricky holes and testing greens.
You have to walk across the road to the Mason Arms Hotel to pay your green fee when the clubhouse is unmanned. One step up from an ‘honesty box’ but this just adds to the charm of the course.
I am a fan of the Links at Fraserburgh, as it’s not only a great course but represents real value for money. Only £45-£50 for 18 holes on the Corbie Hill course and £10 for 9 holes on The Rosehill course. Once you add a spot of lunch between the two rounds, this sound like a great day on the North East 250 to me.
It’s only by doing trips like the North East 250 that you come across museums like this. It would never have occurred to me to go and find out about the lighthouses of Scotland. I never knew that the Kinnaird Head Lighthouse behind the museum was the first lighthouse in mainland Scotland, dating back to 1787.
There is also a wonderful smell in the air from the smoking kilns. Fish-curers can be found working around the clock, smoking salmon, haddock & herring amongst others.
Around the back of the museum, you’ll find Kinnaird Seafood – www.kinnairdseafood.com. You can place an order in their shop ‘The Kiln’ (or app) to be sent to your home, for your return.
Inverallochy is an 18 hole links course with sea views on every hole. It is a short course with six par 3s, three of which are around the 200-yard mark. As with most links courses, it will feel like twice the length, if the wind gets the better of you.
This is one of the courses you can play for £30 or under on the North East 250.
As you arrive at the car park at Peterhead Golf Club, you may think you’ve taken a wrong turn. Fear not, access, to the course, is by foot across the bridge, over the River Ugie which gives the course a feeling of seclusion.
The Craigewan Links at Peterhead has got some great holes once you reach the dunes area. When you add in the views, you’ll be well satisfied at the end of 18 holes.
If you haven’t played Cruden Bay before then, I would suggest putting it on your golfing bucket list, if you’re a fan of links golf.
In the late afternoon, the shadows cast by the undulating fairways, in the setting sun, make this course all the more dramatic. Additionally, the views looking down onto the course, from the elevated clubhouse at the end of the day, are spectacular. They’ll leave a lasting memory.
This course is in the top 100 courses in the world for a good reason. It is one of the more expensive courses on the North East 250 which is completely understandable.
New Slains Castle
– The Castle
My final ‘non-golf’ stop on the North East 250 route was outside Cruden Bay, at New Slains Castle, which sits high up on a cliff top overlooking the North Sea. There is a small car park just off the A975 and I would suggest parking here and walk to the castle – 10-minute walk. The road is a single track and has the worst potholes I’ve experienced for a while.
The castle itself is a ruin, is unattractive and is quite unremarkable. The reason for this is probably because it’s had many makeovers and has been stripped of everything but the brickwork. The roof was removed in the early 20th century and it has been left to ruin ever since.
– Bram Stoker
So, New Slains Castle has got nothing going for it – or has it? Bram Stoker, the author of the Dracula novel, was a frequent visitor to the area in the late 19th century and used this castle as inspiration for his gothic novel.
I decided to stay at the nearby Kilmarnock Arms Hotel in Cruden Bay, as I had found out that Bram Stoker was once a guest at the hotel. Sure enough, there was a plaque on the outside of the hotel stating that Bram Stoker did indeed stay at the hotel in 1895.
I was also delighted to get a glimpse of the guest book where he signed into the hotel, on the 2 August 1894 for 27 days.
As I re-visited the castle the following day, there was more of a chill in the air, or so I thought. Once you know the story, you begin to feel the eeriness of this creepy ruin of a castle and it starts to come alive. Maybe it’s not so unremarkable after all!
This parkland course maybe a respite from all the coastal and links courses on this part of the North East 250. However, water is always close at hand on this beautiful inland course, with a burn that weaves its way around most of the course.
At £35 per round, you will get value for money here.
An absolute hidden gem on the North East 250 is Newburgh on Ythan. It has been overshadowed by Cruden Bay to the north and Murcar & Royal Aberdeen to the south for too long. Go and play it and then tell everyone about it.
On my first visit to Trump International Golf Links at Aberdeen, I couldn’t help but feel similarities with Cruden Bay, in terms of the views looking down on the course from the clubhouse. Unsurprising really, as there are only 16 miles between them.
I really didn’t want to like this course but who am I to judge one of the world’s top 100 courses. Making the world’s top 100 so quickly is quite a feat, considering that the course isn’t old enough to shave yet!
The green fee is eye-watering for this part of the country but locals do get discounted rates. I will get back up to Aberdeen at some point and do a full review, as I have to confess, there is something about this course that draws me back. Watch this space!
Murcar Links is 10 minutes from Aberdeen and sits amongst the sand dunes, heather and whins of this fine golf coast on the North East 250. It held a European Tour event in 2015, the Paul Lawrie Match Play, where Kiradech Aphibarnrat beat Robert Karlsson in the final.
This is a top quality course and worth every penny of the green fee.
Right next door to Murcar is Royal Aberdeen. The Balgownie Links at Royal Aberdeen has been host to many national and international events throughout the years. The most notable recent European Tour event was the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in July 2014, where Justin Rose won by 2 shots over the chasing pack.
NORTH EAST 250 SUMMARY – Return to Aberdeen
As I drive back to my starting point on the North East 250 in Aberdeen, I can’t help but heap praise on Guy MacPherson-Grant who founded the North East 250.
The reason for this is that I was of the foolish opinion that I already knew the area well. After all, my kids were at university in Aberdeen and I had played most of the golf courses around the route – what else did I need to find out?
Well, I’ve ended up going on several whisky tours and found out a huge amount one of Scotland’s biggest export industries.
I’ve managed to tick a few things off my list on this trip. Finally visited Balmoral which I said I would do one day. Tried Cullen Skink for the first time. Experienced stunning scenery from Glenshee to the Moray coast and along the Aberdeenshire coastline. I’ve seen and appreciated many seabirds, lots of wildlife and dolphins….still no puffins though!
I’ve met dozens of people passionate about their village, town, visitor centre, golf course, fishing, food, drink, outdoor activity and region in general.
I’ve visited film locations, stayed at some lovely places, wandered around the most picturesque fishing villages and visited some spectacular historical buildings…. including the creepy ruins of Dracula’s castle!
In terms of the golf courses, you won’t find such a wide choice, at such incredible value for money in Scotland… in my opinion!
And finally…. I found out that I knew virtually nothing of this area before I set off. Even after doing the North East 250 twice (for research purposes of course!) I’ve barely scratched the surface.
Hope you enjoy your trip as much as I enjoyed mine and if you have actually managed to read this far, well done – you are ready for the www.northeast250.com!
The Isle of Arran lies off Scotland’s Ayrshire coast and is one of the easiest islands to access from the mainland. A fleeting 24 hour visit, over 20 years ago, was now a distant memory. I’d been reminded that there are so many things to do on Arran, including golf, that I felt a return visit was long overdue.
Scotland has over 780+ islands off its coastline. 20 miles long and 10 miles wide, the Isle of Arran is Scotland’s seventh largest island. The main road (A841) around the whole island is only 53 miles long. The other main road is the String Road that takes you right across the centre of the island, from Brodick to Blackwaterfoot. Nothing is too far away on Arran.
It is likely that you’ll be arriving on a Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac) ferry from Ardrossan, south west of Glasgow to Brodick. If you’re coming from the west (Kintyre) then Lochranza in the north of the island will be your port of arrival. You’ll find timetables in the links above or click here.
I’d also highly recommend checking out Visit Arran’s website before you go: www.visitarran.com – it is full of useful information.
Activities on Arran
Arran is a family holiday island and if outdoor activities, with the family, are your thing, then Arran is the place for you.
The Island has plenty hill walking, beaches & coastal walks, mountains to climb, castles and historic buildings to visit.
There’s lots to do on the water, including kayaking, sailing and boat trips. You can jump on a horse, jump on a bike or try gorge walking & abseiling.
There are day trips to Kintyre & Holy Isle, distillery tours, brewery tours, photography workshops & Segway tours.
Whilst you’re doing all this, there is plenty wildlife to spot. Keep an eye out on the coastline for otters, seals, dolphins and basking sharks. On land, look out for red deer and red squirrels and look up for golden eagles and an array of seabirds.
I’ve detailed where you can find out about all these activities & who runs them, in our 21 Things To Do list later in the blog post.
And last but not least, the Island has seven golf courses. The three 9-hole courses are at Corrie, Lochranza & Machrie Bay. The three 18-hole courses are at Brodick, Lamlash & Whiting Bay. The island’s only links course is the 12-hole course at Blackwaterfoot (Shiskine GTC).
Arriving on Arran
As we travelled to Arran by ferry from Kintyre, our arrival port was Lochranza in the north of the island. The village of Lochranza lies in one of the most picturesque spots on the island and definitely worth a visit.
It was at Lochranza golf course that we made our first stop.
Lochranza Golf Course was closed when we visited at the end of March but is open from April through to October. Keep an eye out for deer in the bunkers, red squirrels and golden eagles through the summer.
The course is flat and is suitable for all levels of golfer. There are some tricky holes where the over adventurous will be tested, particularly when the Lochranza burn comes into play. There are shorter teeing areas on the course which turn it into a pitch and putt course. This course is ideal for getting the whole family involved in golf.
As you work your way clockwise around the island, Corrie Golf Course will be your next course on the list. It’s a lovely 9-hole course, south of Lochranza in the village of Sannox. Like most of the courses on Arran, it is short at 1915 yards. There are five par 3s and four par 4s.
The 1st and 9th holes are straight forward and on level ground. The 2nd hole leads you on a gradual climb on the next few holes. What this course gives away in yardage, it takes back in the elevation, as you work your way up.
The higher you climb, the better the views get over to the Ayrshire coast and the mountain scenery of Arran. This is a short but testing course with great views and is made all the harder when the wind blows.
The views are what people talk about and they say it’s what makes this course something special. I would agree but I would also add that it is well maintained and worth a visit not just for the views.
The tearoom/coffee shop by the car park has a good reputation by all accounts – it was unfortunately closed when we came off the course.
As we returned to the village of Sannox, there were plenty seals to see basking on the rocks on the shore line. This was to be a familiar feature of our trip. As we head further south, next up is the capital of Arran, Brodick.
We were staying at the Auchrannie Hotel in Brodick, which is no more than 5 minutes, on foot, to Brodick Golf Course and perfect for a late afternoon walk.
The course sits on Brodick Bay and has a links look to it, due to its location. But after walking around the course I found out that it is a mainly parkland and with a handful of links holes on the back nine.
The 1st hole has the most wonderful view of Goatfell right ahead of you. Goatfell is one of four Corbetts on Arran and it’s the highest peak on the island at 2,866 feet.
A great wee par 3 at the 4th over the Rosa Burn, leads you onto a rare par 5 on Arran, at the 5th.
A short loop around the parkland holes at the 5th, 6th& 7th, brings you back to the 8th. You head out on 9 & 10 to the more links style part of the course.
Another great par 3 at the 15thhas you playing back over Rosa Burn with the green surrounded by water hazards. There are two gentle par 4s at 16 & 17 before the tough 222-yard par 3, 18thtests your finishing skills.
Brodick GC is a good, flat walking course, in a lovely setting with Goatfell above you and Brodick Castle sitting just along the coastline. It gives you a good test of holes around Brodick Bay and is very reasonably priced. Worth a visit indeed.
Only 3 miles south of Brodick lies Lamlash. The golf course sits above the village on the side of a hill with fantastic views out over the Clyde Estuary and beyond.
After teeing off at the 1st, you’ll work your way uphill to the highest point on this part of the course. By the time you get to the 4thgreen / 5thtee, the views over to Holy Isle are spectacular. This is a good point to catch your breath after your climb and a great place to get the camera out.
The par 3, 5thhole takes you right back down again. From the 6thhole, you begin a slow climb once more to the 9thtee. This is where the views out to the Clyde Estuary & Holy Isle reveal themselves in splendour once more.
The back nine doesn’t feel as tight as the front nine but the views are just as good, especially at the 12thhole, the highest point of the course.
The picturesque 18thgreen is what you’ll be looking over to, after your round, as you sit on the first-floor veranda of the clubhouse. Hopefully, soaking up more of the Scottish sunshine at this point!
Lamlash golf course maybe short but it is a challenging test. It’s tricky, it’s tight but has great views, a good variety of holes and offers good value for money.
Whiting Bay is a short drive south of Lamlash. The golf club lies above Whiting Bay village on the south east coast of the island.
The course is on the side of a hill and is around 4,200 yards long. Length is not the issue here, as your challenges are the slopes and elevation. There are nine par 3s and nine par 4s and whilst a lot of the par 4s are short, there are five par 3s over 200 yards long.
The first stand out hole for me is the 4thwhich is only an 80-yard par 3, but plays to an elevated green with gullies around. The views are pretty good as well.
You’ll be delighted to get through a couple of tricky holes at 7 & 8 with net pars, before reaching the softer test at the 9th.
At the top of the course, by the 10thgreen & 11thtee, you won’t tire of views over to the Ayrshire coast. On a clear day, see if you can pick out the courses at Troon & Prestwick right across from you.
As you make your way back in, you’ll find your toughest hole at the 13th. It’s a par 3, to a raised green and is over 220 yards from the red & yellow tees; 249 from the whites.
Next challenge is at the 15th. There is trouble on the left and the green looks as if it’s hanging onto the edge of the course, with nothing but trees between it and the Clyde Estuary!
As you reach the 18thtee, you can’t quite relax yet, as you’ve still to face the best finishing hole on the island. It’s a 433-yard, par 4 and all downhill, with OB on the right. The clubhouse house lies close to the 18thgreen which is guarded by trees on the left, a hedge on the right and OB at the back. Good luck.
Over on the west cost of the island, you will find Machrie Bay Golf Course. I took the String Road (B880) from Brodick but then half way along I took one of the back roads to Machrie.
There are three par 3s and six par 4s on this 2100-yard, 9-hole course. The course is flat and has generous fairways. It doesn’t feel too intimidating, apart from the first hole & your approach to the ninth.
Right handed slicers/faders will be challenged from the word ‘go’, as there is water all down the right at the first. There is also OB on the right hand side at several other holes.
Machrie Bay golf course has its own ‘Road Hole’ at the ninth. This is where you have to play over the main A841 road which runs around the whole island!
The bigger hitters may want to go for this green from the tee. Beware, as there is water at the back of the green, OB on the right and small matter of the A841 road to negotiate. Needless to say, there will be a few things playing havoc with your mind, if you decide to go for it.
The course looks out west, so you have stunning views over the Kilbrannan Sound and out to the Kintyre Peninsula. The views get even better in the early evening as the sun starts to set. An 8pm tee off time for 9 holes, is not out of the question, in the Scottish mid-summertime.
This course is an absolute gem and I’d recommend that you don’t leave the island without playing this one!
Dougie Bell, the club professional, will keep you right, if it’s your first time to Shiskine. He’s been the pro here for the best part of 14 years and has a lovely, well stocked shop right on the first tee.
The golf course is the only links course on the island and, unusually, it only has 12 holes. Each of those 12 holes has character, variety and will have you thinking on every shot.
The course was looking in great condition at the end of March when I visited. All credit to head greenskeeper, Stewart and his assistant Glen.
The Course – the outward six
Shiskine also has its own ‘Road Hole’ which is at the first hole. This hole is fairly straight forward, as long as you don’t go too far left with your drive or too long with your approach.
The Second is called ‘Twa Burns’ for an obvious reason. If your approach shot is short of the green, it’ll end up in the second one!
The third hole is Crow’s Nest …. what a par 3 this is. You play to an elevated green, where you simply can’t be short or left. The view from the green is breath taking and you’d come back for that alone!
The 4th, appropriately named ‘Shelf’, takes you right back down again to sea level, from an elevated tee. You can’t help but notice the magnificent Drumadoon Cliffs over to your right, as you play this hole.
The 5th (The Point) has you driving right out to the corner of the course. From the tee, the green looks as if it’s sitting on the water’s edge, with the Kilbrannan Sound and Kintyre as a back drop.
OB comes into play along the right hand side of the 6th as you play along the beach front. The big hitters may be tempted to go for the green on this 266-yard par 4.
The Course – the inward six
The 7th is a great wee hole, OB right and a burn at the back of the green. There is an illusion of the hole being very tight and narrow from the tee which will put you under pressure. As you walk through the gap, all becomes clear and you’ll see there is plenty room to the left.
You’ll be looking for birdies at the par 4, 220 yard 8th and possibly at the par 5, 9th. This depends on how you decide to play it, avoiding the burn.
Another elevated tee at the 10th has great views but will demand an accurate tee shot to the tricky green that slopes from back to front.
There are two par 3s to finish, the toughest of which comes at the 196 yard, 11th to another tricky green. As you tap in on the short par 3, 12th and retrieve your ball from the cup, I am sure you’ll be planning your return visit.
Top 100 course
Shiskine is a lovely links course and deserves its place in Scotland’s Top 100 courses. My advice, for what it’s worth, is to book at least two rounds here. Your first round will be used to find your way around the course and get familiar with the blind shots. You can then shoot the lights out…. or try to, on your second round!
The golf courses on Arran are shorter than most of the courses you would play elsewhere in Scotland. Short does not mean easy and you will face different challenges on each course, as they all have their own characteristics.
Despite this individuality, the golf courses of Arran have several things in common. Magnificent settings, fabulous views, reasonable green fees and visitors are very welcome. Golf on Arran is fun; it’s holiday golf and Arran does it well.
Arran Golf Pass
The green fees on Arran are very reasonable, however, for £110 you can buy an Arran Golf Pass that allows you one round of golf on all 7 golf courses on Arran.
The Arran Golf Pass can be purchased from www.golfonarran.com and is valid for 12 months, if you can’t play all 7 in one visit.
Places to Stay
There are plenty places to stay on Arran. Here is a small selection of places we looked at before we arrived:
Also check out Visit Arran’s website for moreaccommodation: www.visitarran.com
21 Things To Do On Arran
There is so much to do on Arran and it definitely has something for everyone. I’ve compiled a list of activities that we came across (or were recommended to do) on our trip.
Things to do on Arran – Isle of Arran Distillers – Arran Whisky, Lochranza
Across the road from the Lochranza golf course is the Arran Whisky distillery and Visitor Centre. They do 1 hour tours throughout the day in the summer months or you can visit their tearoom for refreshments after 9 holes.
Find out more about the food & drink producers of Arran at:
A Taste of Arran – www.taste-of-arran.co.uk
Things to do on Arran – Lochranza Castle
The village of Lochranza really is in one of the most picturesque surroundings in Scotland. The ruins of Lochranza Castle sit, surrounded by water, with hills towering over the village. If you’re lucky, you’ll see red deer come right down to the water’s edge to feed off the seaweed.
We decided to stay at the Auchrannie Hotel in Brodick. It seemed like a good central place to stay, as Brodick sits in the middle of the island. All the golf courses are very accessible from here, as is everything else. The resort has a traditional house hotel, with its own pool and leisure facilities for hotel guests and members.
However, my reason for mentioning the resort is because there is also a larger leisure complex which is open to non-residents. It’s ideal for those wet days and includes a spa, swimming pool, steam room, sauna, gym and various yoga and exercise classes. Also, the sports hall has tennis, badminton & carpet bowls. The restaurant upstairs is ideal but book in advance as it gets very busy.
The Island Cheese Co Ltd has a shop outside Brodick, where it produces its Isle of Arran cheese. You can see it being made at the small shopping centre at Home Farm, 5 mins drive north of Brodick, KA27 8DD
Find out more about the food & drink producers of Arran at:
A Taste of Arran – www.taste-of-arran.co.uk
A visit to Brodick Castle is a must when visiting Arran.
When you’re there, take a wander around the extensive gardens and explore the new Silver Garden Trail and Plant Hunters’ Walk. There’s over 10 miles of waymarked trails in the country park that work their way in and around woodland, waterfalls and bathing pools.
Things to do on Arran – Arran in Focus – photography courses, Lamlash
www.arraninfocus.co.uk
Arran in Focus offers photography workshops for beginners and more advanced photography enthusiasts. Workshops run all year round with between 1 – 4 students or you can book a 1:1 session.
Things to do on Arran – visit the Machrie Moor Standing Stones, Machrie
Lovely forest and shoreline walk from Blackwaterfoot to a place where it is said that Robert the Bruce took shelter on the island. More details in the article above.
Things to do on Arran – Paragliding over the island (pick-up at Brodick)
Machrihanish courses are worth the journey
…so is the gem at Dunaverty
The aim was to get around 5 golf courses in Kintyre in 3 days! Throw in a few historic sights, some distillery tours, artisan producers, a few hundred miles driving, a ferry journey and it would be fair to say, it was going to be a tight squeeze!
OK… so, where are we heading?
Entering the Kintyre Peninsula, we faced torrential rain and wind speeds of 40-50 mph. The 3 day plan looked shaky from the start but this weather wasn’t forecast to last for long.
The harbour village of Tarbert is your entry point into Kintyre & is the start of the Kintyre Way. The Kintyre Way is a 100-mile walking route that weaves its way down the Kintyre Peninsula to Machrihanish – more details below.
The Long and Winding Road
The road, from Tarbert to our base in Campbeltown inspired Paul McCartney to write the song ‘The Long & Winding Road’. This was the last song released by the Beatles before their break up in 1970.
Kintyre was a place McCartney was fond of & called home for many years. He also raised the awareness of the area with his single ‘Mull of Kintyre’. When he released it in 1977, it became one of the biggest selling ‘non-charity’ singles of all time. The video, with the Campbeltown Pipe Band, was filmed on the beach at Saddell Bay, on the east coast of the Kintyre Peninsula.
We found a load of ‘non-golf’ things to see & do in Kintyre (details below) but first up on this golf trip was Dunaverty golf club, at the very south tip of the Kintyre Peninsula.
The strong winds didn’t detract from appreciating what a delightful links course this is. The key feature that you cannot miss on the course is Dunaverty Rock. The course was founded in 1889 but the rock obviously dates back a lot longer. The rock, and the castle that once stood here, have seen their fair share of Scottish history. The Dunaverty Massacre of 1647 being the bloodiest.
The Course
As you play up the first hole towards Dunaverty Rock, your sea view gets better and better. The views from the fifth tee are breath-taking, as the ink-black Conieglen Burn flows into the aqua blue waters, where the Irish Sea meets the Atlantic. The views only get better as you head up Mount Zion (10th hole) and onto the 11th tee. There are views out to Sanda Island, Northern Ireland, Ailsa Craig, the Ayrshire coast and the cliffs overlooking the Mull of Kintyre on a clear day.
5th tee overlooking the Conieglen Burn
On paper, this course stretches out to 4,799 yards and is a par 66. Some may consider this too short and pass it by, but I would recommend stopping here. If you haven’t played it before, I suspect the course will have the upper hand. There are some blind shots but they are only blind the first time you play them. I am sure that you will want to play it again and wreak revenge.
There is no protection from the wind here and you could almost double the length of the holes against the wind, when it blows hard. The stretch of holes along the shore line from the third to the eleventh are a delight. I am sure you wouldn’t be the first to wave through the group behind, on the 11th tee, so you can stop to admire the surroundings.
It’s not all about the views here, as there are some tough holes. The 17th is one of the best and a real challenge, into the wind on a breezy day. A good drive down 17 will still leave you a long iron to the green, that sits just over the Conieglen Burn. I have no doubt that this hole will have wrecked some good scores in the past.
17th green
Scottish Golfing Legend
The Club has produced some fine golfers over the years but none more so than Scottish golfing legend, Belle Robertson MBE. She has won many international titles in her time but I suspect winning the Curtis Cup for the first time on American soil in 1986, must rank right up there – what a feat!
Dunaverty GC may not get the wider attention that its neighbours at Machrihanish Golf Club and Machrihanish Dunes get but don’t be put off by that. This is an absolute gem of a course and I’m happy to shout about it! Put it on your list and bring your camera.
I didn’t play a lot of links golf as a youngster. So, when I played Machrihanish golf course, in my twenties, for the first time, it was a real treat. I remember walking off the 18th, thinking ‘this is the best course I’ve ever played’.
Jennie Dunn, the professional, will keep you right before your round. Her pro shop sits on one of the most famous first tees in golf. She must be the envy of many pros across the land.
Jennie Dunn’s Pro Shop – Machrihanish Golf Club
The Course
Your tee shot on the first hole is what everyone talks about here. Yes, it’s fun, it’s intimidating but so is the rest of the course.
At first glance, it may look like a typical 9 out, 9 back sort of links course but it is so much more than that. Some holes are sunk into the dunes, some are more exposed.
The first eight holes head out along the coastline, all at slightly different angles. What this means is that the ever-present wind always appears to be coming from a marginally different direction.
The ninth hole turns you back and from the tenth you are heading back in the opposite direction to the first eight holes. The front nine has one par 3 and eight par 4s, whereas you will encounter two par 5s, three par 3s and four par 4s on the inward nine.
UK Top 50 Course
This course is in the UK’s top 50 courses for a good reason and I’m sure you’ll agree, if you enjoy true links golf. The views match the quality of the course, with Islay, Jura & Gigha all in sight on a clear day. As the course is west facing, you may encounter spectacular sunsets, if you’re lucky.
Machrihanish Dunes lies a few miles north of Machrihanish golf course by car. The course only opened 10 years ago but you would not guess that if you hadn’t been told.
The golf course sits on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which means that the area is under protection. You can’t build on it, move or remove anything from it, without the utmost scrutiny and consultation. It also means no use of heavy machinery is allowed, no chemical fertiliser, no laying down of cement cart paths, etc. This course had to be built by hand, the way it used to be.
David McLay-Kidd – course architect
The task that lay ahead of course architect, David McLay-Kidd, must have been daunting, to say the least. The course sits on 260+ acres of dunes, yet McLay-Kidd only disturbed 7 acres in the construction of the course. The majority of this work was to shape the tees and greens.
The fairways were simply mown into shape. Hebridean Black Sheep ‘employed’ to keep the rough down and the bunkers created from natural scraps and eroded areas.
There will be quirks or blind shots that you may not agree with but this course is the result of what nature provided. It is clear that McLay-Kidd couldn’t flatten a sand dune, here and there, to straighten out a hole or to prevent a blind shot or to shorten the walk to the next tee.
The Course
You are sure to get a genuine, warm welcome from Peter the starter. He is knowledgeable of the course and more than happy to keep you right, before you tee off.
1st green – Machrihanish Dunes
The first few holes head out to the most southerly point on the course. This is where you’ll find two of the three Par 3s, back to back, at the fifth & sixth holes, right on the Atlantic. By this stage, you’ll have experienced some large greens, with some serious contours.
The seventh takes you back inland again, before you tackle the longest hole on the course at the eighth. The tenth leads you back to the beachfront, where panoramic views to Islay, Jura & Gigha await.
16th tee – Machrihanish Dunes
The final stretch along the stunning coastline is at 15 and 16. The par 5, 16th is stroke index 1, so be sure to keep it on the short stuff. The seventeenth serves up a blind shot, a dog-leg and a water hazard for your penultimate hole. Once you’ve negotiated 17, a gradual climb up the 18th lies ahead, with the green tucked into the left.
This is a great course. You can play it from the back tees and grind it out or you can play from the front and have fun. The weather will always have its part to play here; the course will give you good bounces and bad… but that’s golf!
I suspect you’ll enjoy this course a lot more second time round – check out the ‘stay and play’ packages at the Ugadale & Royal Hotels – both of which are attached to the golf course (details below). Heads up – look out for the unlimited golf deal!
Machrihanish Dunes – Starters Box
A blast from the past…
As I was saying my farewell to Peter the starter, I recognised a face from the past, coming off the course. It was Jimmy Kidd, father of course architect, David McLay-Kidd. I used to work in the golf office, next to Jimmy at Gleneagles Hotel when he was the Estates & Golf Courses manager there. It was a pleasure to see him again, after so many years and to hear his views on Machrihanish Dunes.
Jimmy was playing with one of Scotland’s finest golfers, Belle Robertson MBE, whom I have mentioned above. I watched her walk off the course and realised that she had obviously been carrying her clubs, all the way round… at the age of 82 – what an amazing lady!
Carradale & Tarbert Golf Courses
I had intended to visit Carradale GC, (www.carradalegolf.com) a lovely 9-hole course with picturesque 360 degree views. However, the weather was as bad as we had encountered and we couldn’t see more than 100 yards, never mind the views to Arran! It was the same situation at Tarbert GC (www.tarbertgolfclub.com) on the same day – apologies to both but I’ll get there next time for sure.
It’s Kintyre – it’s time to take time
There is no doubt that Kintyre is not the easiest of places to get to but it is worth it, once you get there. The golf courses are excellent and each present their own challenges.
Everyone will have a view point on what the courses are like; a lot depends on the weather, a lot depends on how you play and adapt. My view is that this is a great golfing destination for a 4-5 day break. However, don’t do what I did and try and cram in too much, in too short a time.
Kintyre is all about slowing down, recharging batteries – switch your phone off and finish that book you got two Christmases ago.
There is good accommodation, great local produce and many things to do. Do something you haven’t done for a while or try something new. Take a look at the list below to fill the non-golfing hours. Enjoy!
Things to do when you’re not golfing in Kintyre
The Kintyre Way
Kintyre Way is a fully waymarked footpath through Kintyre, from Tarbert to Machrihanish. The route is 100 miles long and weaves its way down the peninsula. It’s broken into 7 stages and there is accommodation at the end of each stage. You may find this website useful for more info – www.walkhighlands.co.uk
Kintyre Beaches
The Kintyre Way is for serious walking but if you fancy something shorter and flatter then there are plenty beaches to choose from. This year Machrihanish Bay, on the west coast of Kintyre, came runner up in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019 for best beach in UK. So, there’s a good starting point.
Further north on the west coast you’ll find Bellochantuy beach. On the east coast, you’ll find Carradale Bay, Saddell Bay & Torrisdale Bay, all close to each other.
Saddell Bay – where Paul McCartney filmed his song ‘Mull of Kintyre’
If Gin is your thing, then a Kintyre Gin Tour might appeal. The Beinn an Tuirc Distillery is north of Campbeltown on the east coast, just south of Carradale. It lies in the Torrisdale Castle Estate. Tours/tastings start from £7.50 – fear not, anyone driving gets to take away their taster! We tried their Kintyre Gin & Kintyre Pink Gin and both get the thumbs up from us!
Kintyre Whisky
Campbeltown itself was once a thriving whisky town in the 1800s, with over 30+ distilleries. A popular mode of transport of getting whisky to Glasgow was by the Glasgow Steamers, large steam powered ships. They would sail down the Clyde several times a day to collect whisky from Campbeltown.
Many Glaswegians would board these boats and sample large quantities of the Campbeltown whisky after disembarking. The inebriated crowd would then make their way back to Glasgow on the Steamers – this is how the word ‘Steaming’ (drunk) originated…. or so the story goes!
Today, only three whisky producers remain in the area and all provide tours & tastings. I’m not suggesting you get ’steaming’ but you may want to try the following whisky tours in the area:
If the weather gets the better of you, there’s always the Campbeltown Picture House. This is no ordinary picture house, as it is one of the oldest purpose-built picture houses in Scotland (1913). It has undergone extensive renovation recently, as part of its centenary, which was completed in 2017 – www.campbeltownpicturehouse.co.uk
The Royal Hotel & The Ugadale Hotels are both connected to Machrihanish Dunes golf course. Make sure you book your golf through them for the best golf/accommodation deals
Here’s a 59 second ‘YouTube’ blog summary!
Tom Kelly – www.TheHomeofGolf.com
Gleneagles – King’s & Queen’s Courses 100 Years Old
Gleneagles is a special place. I’ve thought that ever since I was 4 years old!
Let me explain – as a kid, my holidays were spent golfing at Taymouth Castle on the edge of Loch Tay in Perthshire. To get there from Edinburgh, we would drive through Glen Devon and passed Gleneagles. We would do this trip at least 6-8 times a year for 12 or 13 years.
Over that time, I never played the King’s Course or the Queen’s Course. It was always out of reach, a dream.
I must have been about 12 when I first thought to myself that I was going to work there. Gleneagles didn’t know this at the time and they wouldn’t find out for another 9 years.
At the age of 21, I drove up to Gleneagles Hotel and I sat and waited for around 4 hours for the personnel manager. I didn’t have an appointment but I never saw that as an issue, after all, I was dealing with a childhood dream here.
I somehow convinced the personnel manager to employ me. Ten days later, I started my first ever full-time job, working in the golf office, next door to Ian Marchbank’s pro shop and right in front of the 1st tee of the King’s Course.
My dream had become a reality.
For the next three years, I golfed over the King’s and Queen’s courses, with the pros and greenkeepers, almost every evening in the summer and whenever we could in the winter.
Gleneagles is a special place; it certainly is to me.
The view up the first fairway of the King’s course is pretty much the same as the view I had from the golf office many years ago!
GLENEAGLES
Life and activities at Gleneagles have changed a lot since my day. Yet, the emphasis on excellence remains the same today.
This is a significant year for Gleneagles. I am sure you already know that the Solheim Cup is being held at the PGA Centenary course from 9-15 September. But did you know that the King’s and Queen’s courses celebrate their 100th anniversary on the 1st of May this year?
GLENEAGLES KING’S & QUEEN’S COURSES – 100 YEARS OLD
18th greens on the King’s & Queen’s courses sit side by side
Gleneagles Hotel, with its golf courses, was the vision of Donald Matheson, General Manager of the Caledonian Railway Company, in the early twentieth century. His railway lines ran through the area and so he was familiar with the beauty of the surroundings. His vision of a grand country house hotel began.
He instructed James Braid, five-time Open Champion (1901-10), to design the King’s and Queen’s courses. Both courses opened in May 1919 but it would be another five years before the hotel finally opened in 1924.
Both courses complement each other well, with the King’s being the tougher challenge. The Queen’s course is an easier walking course and slightly less demanding on your golfing brain.
If you are going to play 36 holes, make sure you play a round on each – King’s course first and then the Queen’s course would be my preference.
GLENEAGLES KING’S COURSE
The King’s course is James Braid’s finest inland design and one of Scotland’s top inland courses.
Gleneagles King’s Course Starter’s Box
Don’t let the wide fairway at the 1st lead you into a false sense of security. This hole is all about how you deal with your second shot to the green. A monster drive up the middle is meaningless, if you come up short with your second – please take my word for it on this one.
As you tee up on the third, you will be playing into the prevailing westerly wind for the next 6 holes. This is a tough stretch. The third will have you thinking, the fourth will have you breathless and wondering how anyone hits this green in two shots, into the wind. The fifth is simply a great par 3.
The ninth is another great hole where left is good, right is bad. By the time you’ve completed 10 holes, you’ll need your break at the half way house. My standout hole on the back nine, is the 13th (Braid’s Brawest) with some great bunkering. The 14th is your classic short par 4 with a long narrow green – this hole has ‘risk & reward’ written all over it.
The 16th is another great wee par 3, where there are some tough bunkers to avoid. The final hole would be my favourite, if it didn’t mean it was the end of the round!
King’s Course – 18th Green
The 18th (King’s Hame) is where you have to take in a few deep breaths and admire the views, they are spectacular. Once you get your attention back to the job in hand, you will want to take advantage of the two saddles on the fairway. Catch the downslopes and the 18th gives away 50-60+ yards on a good day and turns the hole into a par 4. Miss the fairway and you could be chopping out sideways and adding a 7, 8 or 9 to your scorecard.
Whatever you score on this round, you’ll look back and realise that you’ve had to think a little harder about each shot than you would on most other courses. You’ll also come away with a sense that you’ve just played some of the great holes in Scottish Golf.
GLENEAGLES QUEEN’S COURSE
The Queens course is shorter than the Kings course and is not as tough a challenge. It is a Par 68 and is a more relaxing to play. Relaxing doesn’t mean easy BTW.
The opening six holes normally head into a prevailing westerly wind. It’s a challenging start, into the wind, but not as tough as the opening stretch on the King’s. By this I mean that you can see what’s in front of you on most holes and the elevation changes aren’t as severe.
The standout hole, in the opening six, is the 6th which runs along the Braco Road to a raised green. The course becomes more reminiscent of the King’s after you turn at the par 5 7th.
Queen’s Course – 6th hole
A very scenic run of holes lie ahead, from the 12th hole onwards. How well you play the back nine, is often decided by how well you play the par 3s. There are two back to back par 3s at 13 & 14, with water looming close by on both. The third par 3 is at 17 and is a real test. Par is good at this hole, take it and run, as doubles, trebles and more are never far away.
Queens Course – 13th green in the distance, 4th green to the right and 14th fairway bottom left.
As you stand on the 18th tee, take your time, take in the view and remind yourself why you play golf. You’ll know what I mean when you get there. Enjoy!
Queen’s Course – approach to 18th green.
GLENEAGLES PGA CENTENARY COURSE – SOLHEIM CUP
I’m not going to write on the PGA Centenary Course this time round. The eyes of the golfing world will descend upon this course for the Solheim Cup (9-15 Sept) and plenty will be written about it over the coming months.
GLENEAGLES COURSE OFFERS
To mark 100 years of the King’s and Queen’s courses and the fact that this year’s Solheim Cup is at the PGA centenary Course, Gleneagles are offering a couple of packages to whet your golfing appetite, over the coming weeks.
For £201.90 per fourball you can play on any of their courses from 1-30 April 2019. There are timing restrictions, so check the website for details: www.gleneagles.com or contact 0800 389 3737.
As we move into May, the offer changes and Gleneagles offer a package for £100 per person (1-15 May) to play either the King’s or Queen’s courses. This is a discount from their standard rate of £150 per person at this time of year. The offer applies to afternoon rounds only and tee times are restricted – check www.gleneagles.com or contact 0800 389 3737.
The next few weeks would be a great time to take advantage of Gleneagles’ reduced rates. If you have got the time to play 36 holes, make sure you play both the King’s and Queen’s. You won’t be disappointed, after all Gleneagles is a special place…. have I mentioned that already?
Tom Kelly – www.TheHomeofGolf.com
First Rules of Golf – 275 Years Ago – Do You Know Why They Came About?
The 7th of March 1744 is a significant date in the world of golf, as it’s the date when the first rules of golf were introduced. There were 13 of them in total, handwritten on 2 sheets of paper. This made me wonder how many rules there are today.
I found out that since 1744, we have only gone from 13 rules to 24 rules. That seemed ludicrous, as the number of golf rules appear never ending to me. However, all is not what it seems, as I am sure you are aware. By the time you add together the 24 rules to the sub-rules, to the sub-sub-rules and to the definitions, you have a 240 page rules document. A bit more daunting than the 2 sheets of paper in 1744.
This is a reflection of the popularity of the sport. Without the instigation, moulding and developing of these rules, golf wouldn’t be the game that we know and love today.
So why were the rules set up in the first place?
In 1744, on the east coast of Scotland, the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links asked the Edinburgh town council for a prize for an annual golf competition. The golfers had been jealous of the local archers, who received a silver arrow from the town council for a competition in 1709.
Leith Links today
The Edinburgh town council presented the golfers with a silver golf club to be played for over Leith Links. This was on the understanding that The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links set down rules that would govern the game of golf. The event was to be the first ever ‘open’ golf competition worldwide, played under the first rules of golf.
What were The First Rules of Golf?
It was on the 7th March 1744 that The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith Links changed their name to the ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’. This group of golfers created the first 13 rules of golf (above). John Rattray, who won the first annual competition, signed off these rules, as captain. The ‘Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ later became the ‘Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ who now reside at Muirfield in East Lothian, Scotland.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers’ plaque on the cairn at Leith Links
The Home of Golf – Scotland or…Leith Links?
The fact that rules were drawn up was very important for the development of the game. It ensured regulation and set the benchmark for the sport moving forward. These rules formed the basis of the modern game and led to Scotland being viewed as the ancestral Home of Golf.
The Cairn at Leith Links
All that remains of golf on Leith Links today is a cairn with 3 commemorative plaques on it. The first shows the layout of the 5 holes of that first competition. The second commemorates 250 years of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. The third and final plaque states Leith Links – The Home of Golf with a short description of the events of 1744.
The geographical term, The Home of Golf, will always be associated with Scotland, in the eyes of the golfing world. However, within Scotland, at its golfing core, Leith Links could well be the place where the term finds its origin.
THE HOME OF GOLF – A plaque commemorating the first rules of golf that formed the basis for the modern game.
The Leith Rules Golf Society
The Leith Rules Golf Society have been fundraising for a bronze cast statue of John Rattray, winner of the first ‘open’ golf competition in 1744. They hope to unveil the statue on Leith Links at some point this year.
The precise origins of the game of golf are unclear, in terms of the numerous ‘stick and ball’ games played throughout the ages. Despite this, these first 13 rules differentiated golf from any other stick and ball game. They marked a clear turning point in the modern game and they have a significant place in Golfing History.
The course layout at Leith Links in the 18th century
The Leith Rules Golf Society
The Leith Rules Golf Society has been fundraising for a statue of John Rattray to be located at the original first hole of Leith Links. More information on the Leith Rules Society can be found on their website – http://www.leith-rules-golf.co.uk/statue.htm
Welcome to my third post on Winter Golf in Scotland and my final blog of the year!! This week, I take a look at what discounted green fee offers there are at the links and coastal courses in East Lothian, the Scottish Borders, South West Scotland and Ayrshire.
In today’s post, there are several Open Championship venues, including the oldest golf course in the world and the venue of the first Open Championship. Additionally, I have also picked out some great deals, at many of the Open Championship qualifying courses as well.
In my September blogpost, I pointed out some of the reasons for reduced green fees, at this time of year. Most points are obvious but you may find something useful before booking your next round of winter golf. You can read the post by clicking HERE.
The Old Golf Course was an original Open Championship venue and held the championship 6 times, between 1874 and 1889. If you want a trip back in time, on this historic course, you can hire hickory clubs and play the game as it once was. There is such history behind this 9 hole course, most notable being its claim to be the oldest golf course in the world.
Round: £15.30 from 1 November 2018 (the hire of hickory clubs will be extra and must be booked in advance. See their website above for details)
Craigielaw Golf Club offers a great test of golf over its championship course. Furthermore, it has great views, from both the course and the clubhouse which add to the experience. In September this year, it held the Staysure Scottish Seniors Open, where Gary Orr won by a single shot.
Round: w/d £35 w/e £45 from 1 November to 31 March 2019
There are three courses at Gullane Golf Club. The No.1 course has not only hosted the Open Championship qualifying but also the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in 2015. In July 2018, it held both The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open & The Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open.
No.1 Round: £75 from 1 November to 31 March 2019 – see website for more details about visitor times.
No.2 Round: w/d £41 w/e £46 from 1 November to 31 March 2019
No.3 Round: w/d £29 w/e £33 from 1 November to 31 March 2019
With 16 Open Championships to its name, Muirfield is certainly on the wish list of many people. Muirfield allows visitors on Tuesdays & Thursdays, the format of which must be fourballs in the morning and foursomes in the afternoon. Please check their website for full booking details and conditions.
Round: £110 from 13 November to 14 March 2019 – Tuesdays & Thursdays only.
Another Open Championship qualifying course on this incredible stretch of golfing land is North Berwick West Links. The views will take your breath away and many of the holes will leave a lasting memory. Don’t pass it by!
2018 Round: £85 from 1 November to 20 December 2018
Round: £55 from 20 December to 31 December 2018
2019 Round: £60 from 1 January to 28 February 2019
The Glen Golf Club – looking out over the 15th tee to the Bass Rock
On the east side of North Berwick lies the clifftop course at the Glen Golf Club. The elevated position offers fabulous views of North Berwick, the Firth of Forth and the Bass Rock and its colony of gannets. Enjoy their famous signature hole, the par 3 13th.
Round: w/d £30 w/e £40 from 1 November to 31 March 2019
Winterfield sits to the west of Dunbar and is a short 5,160 yard par 65 course. This coastal course has an elevated position, with great views over the Firth of Forth and the Bass Rock. The first hole is an intimidating 228 yard Par 3. There is plenty of distraction, with a gully ahead of you and water and rocks catching your eye, short left. This is a testing hole, whether you are playing with the wind or against it.
If you are planning to golf in East Lothian, a visit to Dunbar Golf Club would complete the trip! It’s a classic links course which goes straight out (from the 4th) and straight back along the water’s edge. This Open Championship qualifying course is a delight to play. I have played it countless times but I look forward to the next round, with excitement, every time!
Round: £45 from 1 November to 31 March 2019
(please check website for visitor times)
The clifftop course at Eyemouth has a couple of ‘must play’ holes in Scottish golf. The 6th hole is a dramatic par 3 across the sea, rocks and cliff face, where you need to take a lot more club that you think – see the video below.
The 13th hole is Scotland’s longest hole at 656 yards. Needless to say, it is a par 5 and thankfully it’s downhill!
I was fortunate enough to visit Powfoot GC in the midst of this year’s heatwave. The course was in great condition and looked stunning, with plenty of gorse still in full bloom. The gorse gives the course good definition but you will want to stay well clear of it!
Southerness is a quality links on the Solway Firth. There is plenty heather around, so driving accuracy is key here, especially on windy days, on this exposed course.
Round: w/d £35 w/e £40 from 29 October to 24 March 2019
Wigtownshire County Golf Club is a very flat, easy walking links course. If you think you are going to play more than four times, you might want to consider taking full winter membership at £120!
Round: £30 from 1 November to 31 December 2018-11-02
Winter Membership: £120 from 1 October to 31 March 2018
Portpatrick Dunskey, although it sits on the coast, it is a rolling moorland course. Interestingly, it sits about 150 ft. above sea level, on rocky cliffs and, as a result, has fantastic views throughout the year.
Prestwick St.Nicholas is a beautiful links course right on the edge of the Firth of Clyde. As you can imagine, it comes with stunning views over the water and out to the Isle of Arran.
Round: w/d £35 w/e £40 from 29 October to 29 March 2019
As many of you will know, Prestwick Golf Club is the birthplace of the Open Championship. It was first played here in 1860. Prestwick Golf Club went on to host 24 Open Championships, the last of which was held in 1925.
Barassie Links is an Open Championship qualifying links course. It has also hosted the qualifying for both the Scottish Open & the Senior Open. Needless to say, many prestigious amateur events have also been played on this wonderful links course.
Round: £40 (single) £120 (fourball) from 1 November to March 2019
In typical Scottish links course style, Western Gailes is no more than two holes wide. As a result, it is wedged between the railway line and the sea. The Scottish Seniors Open Championship was held here in 1996, as well as, many top amateur events over the years.
Round: £70 (Mon-Fri) from 1 November to 15 March 2019 – includes soup & sandwiches
Gailes links has been host to 32 international championships since 1927. Most notably, from 2014 to 2017, Gailes Links was the sole Final Open Qualifying course in Scotland.
Round: £50 (single) £140 (fourball) from 1 November to 31 March 2019
Dundonald Links has been growing in stature over the last 10 years. Furthermore, from 2008 to 2011, it held the 1st stage European Tour Qualifying School. 2012 saw the course host the Senior Open qualifying, followed by the Boys Amateur Championship in 2014.
The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open was held at Dundonald Links in 2015 and 2016. And most recently, in 2017 the course hosted the European Tour’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
A hidden gem on the Ayrshire coast, is the 6523 yard championship links course at West Kilbride. It is a few miles from its Ayrshire neighbours (20 mins drive to Irvine) but it is no stranger to hosting championship golf. It held the Scottish Boys’, British Girls’ and Scottish Women’s Amateur Championships in recent years.
It is a great golf course, with breath taking views across Irvine Bay and the Firth of Clyde. With the Isle of Arran sitting proudly in the background, what’s not to like?
Round: £30 from 1 November to 31 March 2019
FINAL BLOG OF THE YEAR – this was the final blog post of the year – a huge thanks to you all for reading, commenting, tagging & sharing my posts throughout 2018.
Next blog post will be MARCH 2019 – until then, enjoy your winter golf in Scotland and have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year when it comes!!
Kintyre Way is a fully waymarked footpath through Kintyre, from Tarbert to Machrihanish. The route is 100 miles long and weaves its way down the peninsula. It’s broken into 7 stages and there is accommodation at the end of each stage. You may find this website useful for more info – 
In my September blogpost, I pointed out some of the reasons for reduced green fees, at this time of year. Most points are obvious but you may find something useful before booking your next round of winter golf. You can read the post by 
