As the pound continues to tumble against the Euro, UK golfers looking to travel abroad may find themselves frustrated by the increased cost of travel, accommodation and green fees in Europe. Traditional golf holiday destinations such as France and the Algarve have become more expensive, but the increased cost of golf abroad is the perfect excuse to rediscover some of the finest golf courses in the UK.

Keen players looking for the perfect UK golf break need look no further than Scotland -its dramatic combination of coastal and mountain scenery provides a stunning backdrop for a golf holiday, and Scotland’s numerous championship courses are favoured by the very best players in the world. It is the home of the links course – flat coastal courses with few trees or water hazards, where the wind can have a dramatic effect on your game. While the Scottish links design has been much emulated around the world, it has never been bettered.

There are literally hundreds of courses to choose from in Scotland, including many of the world’s biggest and best alongside countless smaller hidden gems. But if you want to play on the most famous and world renowned courses on your golf holiday in Scotland, here are five that you simply must play…

The Ailsa Course

The Turnberry Golf Club is perhaps the most famous in Scotland. It contains three courses, but it is The Ailsa that is the best and most challenging. Looking out across the Mull of Kintyre, the Isle of Arran and the castle of Robert the Bruce, it is certainly the most scenic golf course in Scotland. But there’s more here than fine views; the strong winds demand even stronger drives, the ninth hole (with a tee perched on the edge of the sea) is justly famous, and the course as a whole is an absolute delight to play on.

Kingsbarns Golf Links

Stunningly designed by Kyle Phillips, this course is a masterpiece of links craftsmanship that hugs the coastline – the North Sea is never out of sight. This intricate and demanding course is only a decade old, but is already ranked as one of the finest in Scotland. Watch out for the par five 12th hole, the signature hole on the Kingsbarns Golf Links. Kyle Phillips may be a Californian, but he has created one of the very best Scottish links courses in existence today.

Gleneagles Kings Course

There are a number of outstanding Gleneagles courses that are well worth playing on your golf holiday in Scotland, but the Gleneagles Kings Course is the pick of the bunch; it is truly a course worthy of kings. Designed by James Braid, it offers breathtaking views and superb design that has been delighting and challenging golfers since 1919.

Carnoustie Golf Links

Skilled golfers looking for a real challenge on a golf holiday in Scotland need look no further than Carnoustie Golf Links. Widely regarded as the most difficult course in the UK, it has hosted seven Open Championships in its time, with even the world’s best players often finishing well above par. But if you are up to the challenge, the Carnoustie will offer you a round of golf unlike any other in Scotland.

St Andrews Old Course

Often regarded as the oldest golf course in the world, it is believed that St Andrews Old Course has been in use for over six hundred years. Not only is it the oldest, it is widely rated as the best in the world. The natural terrain has hardly been altered to create the course, and playing golf here allows you to enjoy historic holes, classic scenery, and one of the finest rounds of golf that you can play in Scotland.

By: Morgan Clarke

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Scotland is a great country for a family holiday staying in a self catering holiday cottage. There’s a lot to do while holidaying in Scotland with the Edinburgh Christmas Market a popular tourist destination. Many tourists like to visit during Christmas and the New Year and try to take part in the famous New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Glencoe is famous throughout the world and many families try to visit this marvellous place when on vacation to Scotland. It has stunning scenery and the views from Glencoe are regarded as some of the best in Scotland. Many holiday makers rent a holiday cottage near Glencoe and are enchanted by its peace and tranquility.

To get to Glencoe you must travel along the A82 and many holiday makers are amazed by the stunning scenery as they drive along this road. It has superb woodlands and small streams winding their way down this picturesque mountain side.The area is particularly popular with climbers and walkers who can spend their holidays exploring the maze of climbs and walks in this area.

Many popular climbs and walks include Aonach Eagach, Curved Ridge on Buachaille and Bidean nam Bian. Many holiday makers rent holiday cottages when staying in this area of Scotland and use them as a base to explore the beautiful countryside.

Aberdeen is referred to as the Granite City. It provides a great scope for shopping, night life, and sightseeing. One of the most popular attractions of Aberdeen is the Winter Gardens and Duthie Park. This park is located on the Banks of River Dee and many couples come to the city for romantic weekend breaks and take a stroll along the banks of the river.

The Winter Gardens is a home to beautiful glass houses and amazing plants. The city centre of Aberdeen contains the Union Street, with hundreds of shops and two shopping centres. Aberdeen has some of the most famous art galleries and museums in the world. Some of them are Provost Skene’s House, Tolbooth, Aberdeen maritime Museum, and the Aberdeen art gallery. It is also one of the major seaports of Europe.

Aberdeen is also home to Robert Gordon’s and Aberdeen University. It has a popular football team that is well loved by the locals. The city is also a popular holiday destination for short breaks and long weekend stays with many couples staying in self catering holiday apartments.

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is regarded as the party capital of Europe. Some of the best parties occur during Hogmanay on New Year’s Eve and the worl famous International festival in August. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Edinburgh are Edinburgh Castle, the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, the Writers Museum, the National library of Scotland and the Royal Museum.

The new Scottish Parliament and Palace of Holyrood lie at the base of the Royal Mile. Edinburgh also contains The Royal Botanic Gardens. The Royal Yacht Britannia is also moored in the city is a very popular tourist attraction. Edinburgh is a great place for weekend breaks and there are some great holiday apartments to rent.

Scotland is one of the best places in Europe to take a relaxing holiday staying in a self catering holiday cottage. It has great scenery, warm generous people and superb food and whisky making it an ideal place to take a family holiday staying in a holiday home rental.

By: Andy Gibson

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Edinburgh offers a fantastic base from which to experience Scotland’s world renowned golf courses, while enjoying a visit to the historic capital.

Scotland is truly a golfer’s paradise, with its excellent golf courses set amid beautiful scenery, well facilitated clubs and the famous friendly Scottish hospitality.

In recent years, the sport has grown in profile as celebrities such as Madonna, Catherine Zeta Jones and Brad Pitt have all been snapped playing the game.

Scots, however, have always been fond of this exciting, yet relaxing, and above all sociable game. In Scotland, golf provides a social bonding experience for families, school groups and business contacts alike.

One of the most centrally located golf courses is Merchants of Edinburgh, with views of the famous volcano Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh Castle and the Pentland Hills.

Edinburgh’s oldest active golf course is Mortonhall. Public golf courses include Braid Hills, Craigentinny, Carrick Knowe, Portobello, Silverknowes and Princes.

Edinburgh has the enviable position of being in close proximity to the surrounding rural areas, not least the breathtaking rolling countryside of East Lothian, home to some of Scotland’s finest golf courses.

Musselburgh Golf Course, which is easily accessed from the Edinburgh bypass, dates back to 1672 and it is widely believed Mary Queen of Scots played there.

Edinburgh is also well placed for access to St Andrews Golf Course and North Berwick Golf Course.

Your golf trip can incorporate time to soak up the history, culture, shopping and dining of Edinburgh.

The city is also a great base for groups which may include partners or friends who are less enthusiastic about the game! While you play golf with friends, non-players can also have a wonderful time enjoying all that Edinburgh as to offer.

There is a wealth of Edinburgh accommodation to choose from, including high quality apartments.

Serviced apartments in Edinburgh are ideal for friends travelling for a golf holiday. After a day out on the course breathing Scotland’s enviable fresh air, take to the city’s bars or restaurants, where you can be in easy walking distance of your Edinburgh apartments.

Novice or seasoned golfer, your Scottish golf holiday based in Edinburgh promises to be an unforgettable experience.

By: Xavi Smith

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Jeanscut asked:


Iam planning to visit Scotland in mid sept08, is any local tours available from sheffied, Manchester or Birmingham for 2 to 3 days return.

PintSizedKat asked:


im flying a 4 hour flight from glasgow in two weeks time. the aircraft with closed air and air conditioning will be pretty risky?
will we be provided with masks or anything? swine flu is pretty bad in scotland atm.. i really dont want to spend my holiday with it, what precautions can we take? sorry, bit paranoid.

25bobcat25 asked:

My great movie.