Traditional Highland Christmas Anyone?

We would like to say it'll be a White Christmas, and although we can't guarantee it, the Highlands of Scotland usually offers a better chance of some festive white stuff than most other places in Scotland.  Our friends at Folio Hotels have just told us about their Christmas Packages at The Ballachulish Hotel & The Isles of Glencoe and we knew you'd be interested.

Both hotels sit lochside, with stunning views of the mountains in the background, they are everything a great Highland hotel should be.  The Isles is a perfect location for families, with a relaxed warm atmosphere and leisure facilities.  The Ballachulish on the other hand, is a more traditional hotel with a great bar complete with roaring fire.

The Christmas packages at each hotel have also just been discounted for a limited time only, book before the 10th December 2009 and get a massive 30% off.

Champagne, Bagpipes & Stovies

The world famous Inn at Lathones near St Andrews, has just loaded a fantastic one night Hogmanay special.  For only £125 per person, you can stay at the Inn and enjoy Hogmanay with a difference, complete with Champagne & Canape reception, a Piper and dancing.

After midnight Stovies, the traditional heartwarming Scottish dish will be served to guests, perfect for a little energy boost after some vigorous dancing.

Tartan Army Set For Aviemore Return

It has unfortunately become an unwanted bi-annual event for the Tartan Army... Somewhere to make the most of failing to qualify for major championships!
The event in Aviemore has now been held every two years for the past three major football championships and is starting to look like a fixed event on the calendar now that the National football team can't seem to qualify for a major tournament.
Next year's Tartan Army Gathering will be the third one with the previous two attracting around 2500 visitors to each event.

2010 however is going to be bigger and better than ever before!

The dates for the 2010 Tartan Army Gathering are from the 2nd to the 9th of July and previously there have been a few bands, singers and a kilted football tournament, mini highland games and a Tartan Army march.

Next year's event already consists of 15 musical acts, big screens for World Cup matches, a massive play area for children, helicopter tours over the Cairngorms, football tournaments, battle re-enactments, Highland Games, Tartan Army march, Big Rory & Ochie, special guests and many more activities going on around Aviemore while The Tartan Army are in town.
The organisers have also chartered a train departing from Dumfries en route to Aviemore picking fans up at selected stations on the way and while the train is in Aviemore there will be a chance to book a day trip to the Kyle of Lochalsh through some of the most beautiful scenery our country has to offer.
There is already interest from both the Tartan Army non qualifiers and indeed other nations who will also be sitting on the sidelines this year!
So to ensure you get the information first please make sure that you're signed up to the Tartan Army mailing list or send an email to info@tartanarmy.com

Enter your details in the sign up box at the very top of this webpage or download the leaflet here

Bring your own Bottle (and your hiking boots)

The stunning Mamore Lodge Hotel in Kinlochleven, offers unparallelled views of the Highlands around Lochaber.  Set 700 feet up, this remote lodge is well worth seeking out.  Favoured by walkers, climbers and those who want to get away from it all, they have just launched a great value Walkers 2 Night DBB Special.

Stay for 2 nights this winter and enjoy a Dinner Bed Breakfast deal from only £89 per person per night, the offer includes, 2 nights accommodation, full Scottish  Breakfast and dinner both nights.  And you can even bring your own wine.

This offer is available exclusively to Scotland's For Me customers, please click here to book now.

John and Edward Choose Fife!

Woncha just miss 'em?
No?
Of course we're talking about Jedward and their demise after their attempts at being Wham! Of course they're from Dublin and surely there's no way even we can claim a Scottish Connection? After all we've got Susan Boyle.
But wait. It was their costumes on Saturday and Sunday that gave it away.
Choose Life, those famous Katharine Hamnett designs of the eighties were being worn by the boys apparently under there Linen jackets.
But no the truth is stranger and in fact the T-shirts were a blatent plug for short breaks in the east of Scotland and actually said Choose Fife.
We have secured exclusive rights to these t-shirts and you can now order your online for a limited period only from the Scotland's For Me online store.
And of course if you just want to follow the boys to their (alledgedly) favourite holiday spot how about The Inn at Lathones near St Andrews or golf in Fife or a night at The Crusoe in Lower Largo

Wherever you go Choose Fife!!

Tournament celebrates 150th Anniversary of the first Open

2010 marks another milestone in golf history as The Open Championship celebrates its 150th Anniversary in July.

Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club (MOCGC), the club at the world’s oldest golf course, is hosting the official Scottish Golf Heritage Festival, a golf tournament and festival celebration on July 9-12, 2010. The tournament, open to golfers worldwide, will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Open Champion Willie Park Senior.
Find out more on Scotland's For Me

First in Fife Rates for 2010

More news from the Kingdom of Fife...

First in Fife Golf Pass offers golfers great value golf on some of the area's lesser known courses and despite all the talk of economic doom and gloom, hundreds of golfers have enjoyed great value trips to the Home of Golf in 2009 - and the good news is that the Golfpass will be further developed for 2010.

The Golfpass will again be valid from 1 April to 31 October, and can be used on one trip or several to Fife in 2010 and as next year is also the 150th anniversary of The Open Championship, it is only fitting that this greatest of all championships will be played on the Old Course in St Andrews in July.
What a great chance to combine a Golfpass visit and seeing the world's best players in action!

The area also offers great accommodation for the golfer - looking for some character? How about The Crusoe Hotel in Lower Largo or just up the road try The Lundin Links Hotel

Hank Wangford back in Fife!

Absolutely delighted to see Hank Wangford is going to be playing at Rock at The Stables in Fife on Saturday 27th of February. I remember seeing him way back what maybe 1985 0r 86 down in the Cowgate and then booking him for Freshers week at Queen Margaret College in Edinburgh. Jogging for Jesus I very clearly recall! The official biog is below but I remember meeting him in the makeshift changing rooms in the Students Union along with as I recall a fairly hefty rider!
Anyway, if you're looking for an entertaining evening you could do worse than Hank Wangford with Martin Belmont & Kevin Foster on Saturday 27th February at Rock at The Stables near St Andrews

"If Daniel O'Donnell is the brightly scrubbed face of British country music then Hank Wangford is its guilty conscience, its dark and troubled grubby soul. Hank has picked at the miserable underbelly of country music for twenty eight years, inspiring others like Billy Bragg, The The,  The Alabama Three and other alt.country musicians.  He has spread the word with his two ground breaking television series, Britain's first on Country music, "Big Big Country" and "The A to Z of C&W" and his books "Lost Cowboys" and "Hank Wangford Vol 3 The Middle Years".
This messianic derailment onto the path of country music came from befriending and playing with Gram Parsons, ex-Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers, in the seventies. This was at a time when Hank - as Dr Sam Hutt - was a rock 'n roll doctor. Many of his patients were from the world of rock music and the hippie alternative world. The Grateful Dead, the Who and the Rolling Stones were some of his clients."

Wine Evening near St Andrews

The Inn at Lathones near St Andrews in Fife is offering the chance of a special evening of wine matched with some great food on 2nd December 2009.
The Yering Station Australian wine evening will Ryan Morgan hosting the evening with the wine supplier Enotria wines of London. Ryan will be bringing 5 wines with him and The Inn at Lathones have developed a menu to suit and really show off the wines.
Nick White owner reassures us that they always like to keep these evenings light hearted so even beginners will have fun and learn from the evening.
Cost for meal including wines is just £45.00 and as its mid-week they are also offering rooms including bed and breakfast for just £20 a room. Saves getting a taxi!

Ayrshire Links Golf Winter Season Ticket

Dundonald Links golf course on the Ayrshire coast are offering a great deal for Winter Golfers. You can play six months of unlimited golf for an advance payment of £195 and a superb rate thereafter of £15 per round.

Play is available from the regular tees, fairways and greens, no mats and it's seven days a week.

This winter ticket allows you to play as many rounds as you like, both at weekends and during the week subject of course to availability.


Guy Redford, Director of Golf at the Dundonald Links has been delighted with the response from golfers across the Central Belt, "We've seen a great uptake of the season ticket offer and welcomed an increased number of golfers through the gates to the club throughout October and November and they've enjoyed some great course conditions"

Local hoteliers have also witnessed an uptake of winter golfers staying over in the Ayrshire area. Malcolm Simpson whose new hotel Old Loans Inn in nearby Troon is targetting the golf market has noticed an increase in overnight stays from Scotland.

"Winter golf in Ayrshire can offer both great value and some fantastic conditions, the views over to Arran at the weekend were quite magnificent and even in spite of previous rain the course was playing brilliantly. It's a great idea and we look forward to growing our winter golf market."
The Old Loans Inn offers great winter rates online and can arrange your golf for you.



The ticket became valid from the1st October 2009 and runs through to 31st March 2010 and tickets on a first come, first served basis. For an application call 01294 314000 or email reservations@dundonaldlinks.com

Special Offers at Scotland’s Most Famous Links Golf Courses

Great offer for members of golf clubs across Scotland - Members of SGU affiliated golf clubs can take advantage of exclusive preferential green fees this winter at three of Scotland’s most famous Open Championship venues with proceeds from sales being invested in junior golf.

Muirfield, Prestwick and Royal Troon have all generously donated tee-times to the Scottish Golf Union between November and the end of March, with a four-ball on each course costing just £280, representing great savings against the standard green fee rates. The Troon Portland course is also available, at £140 per four-ball.

These special offers are only available to existing members of SGU affiliated clubs, adding great value to your club membership. To book, call the SGU on 01334 466477 or e-mail sgu@scottishgolf.org.

Tee-Time Availability (all between 2 November 2009 and 30 March 2010) you can of course then book your accommodation online.

• Muirfield, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am
• Prestwick, Mondays, 12.00pm
• Royal Troon, Tuesdays, 10am
• Troon Portland, Tuesdays, 10am

Muirfield has hosted the Open Championship on no fewer than 15 occasions, the last of which was back in 2002 when South African Ernie Els lifted the Claret Jug. Royal Troon recently staged the Allied Surveyors Scottish Amateur Championship won by North East youngster David Law, whilst legends of the game Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson have both reigned supreme on the stunning Ayrshire links at the Open Championship.

Prestwick of course lays claim to the birthplace of the Open Championship, having staged the first ever event back in 1860, with the great Harry Vardon winning three times between 1898 and 1914. A visit to the Prestwick clubhouse is must during your day, featuring a glittering collection of memorabilia from the various championships it hosted during the club’s rich history.

Terms & Conditions
The number of tee-times are limited so you are advised to book early to avoid disappointment. Payment must be made in full within 7 days of booking and tee-times will be sold on a first come, first served basis. All four members of your group must be members of an SGU affiliated golf club and handicap certificates will required at each club. Further rules and regulations for visitors at Muirfield, Prestwick and Royal Troon will be sent to you following confirmation of your booking.