Wednesday 12 January 2011

Short Breaks To Scotland From Austria

Ryanair recently announced three flights flying to Salzburg in Austria for the ski market but as a results there are now three flights flying into the west of Scotland giving hoteliers the opportunity to fill some empty February beds.


The flights from Salzburg in Austria are arriving on Sunday February 13, 20 and 27 and return fares are as low as €100 per person including taxes and luggage.


It's a good opportunity for Scottish hotels - and Ayrshire ones in particular - to look at their rates and promote to the Austrian market for week long breaks in February.

You can check flight availability from Austria at Ryanair's Website and check availability for rooms across Scotland with Scotland's For Me!

Friday 7 January 2011

Carnoustie to Host Women's British Open Golf 2011

The 2011 Ricoh Women’s British Open is all set for another memorable championship when it makes its first appearance at one of the most famous and difficult links courses in the UK, providing a stern test for reigning champion Yani Tseng, past Birkdale champions Catriona Matthew and Laura Davies and the rest of the world’s best female golfers.
Having previously hosted The Open Championship on seven occasions, the 2010 Senior Open Championship and being one of the three courses hosting the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the European Tour, Carnoustie is no stranger to the biggest golfing events.

The Ricoh Women’s British Open is one of the most exciting Majors in golf. As the only women’s Major played outside the US it is the most international with the 2010 field boasting players from 22 different nations and included every player inside the world’s top 20.

Carnoustie enjoys a well-deserved reputation as being among the best and most challenging golf courses in the world. It is considered by many to be the most difficult course in the Open rota, and one of the toughest courses in the world. It’s a historic venue that provides a very unsympathetic test of the abilities of any golfer, as well as boasting one of the greatest back nines in championship golf.

The Scottish club is a fitting stage on which to perform for the world’s leading players. Golf was first recorded as having been played at Carnoustie in the early 16th century and the club first played host to The Open Championship in 1931. Some of the most dramatic moments in golf have taken place at the links course including the famous 1999 Open Championship that is best remembered for the epic collapse of French golfer Jean Van de Velde. Van de Velde needed only a double-bogey six on the 72nd hole to win the Open but he proceeded to shoot a triple-bogey seven, tying Paul Lawrie and 1997 champion Justin Leonard at 290, at six over par. Lawrie won the playoff and the championship and Van de Velde won a place in sports infamy.

The seventh and most recent time The Open Championship was contested at Carnoustie was in July 2007. Irishman Padraig Harrington claimed his first Major with a one shot victory in a dramatic and exciting finish ending on the 18th in a four-hole playoff with Spaniard, Sergio Garcia.

A new chapter is ready to be added as Carnoustie gears up to host its inaugural Ricoh Women’s British Open. Gordon Murray, Chairman - Carnoustie Links Management said “We are thrilled to be hosting the 2011 Ricoh Women’s British Open. This event has grown in stature year on year and we have been very keen to get Carnoustie on the rota.” World No 11 Paula Creamer who picked up her first Major win at the 2010 US Women’s Open has commented “Carnoustie will be quite daunting I’m already looking forward to the challenge.”

This year’s tournament will see 2010 champion Yani Tseng return to defend her title but the Taiwanese star will face stiff competition from many fellow professionals including Japan’s Ai Miyazato and the 2009 champion Catriona Matthew. Americans Michele Wie and Natalie Gulbis, will all have their eyes on the trophy, seeking their first Major win at this year’s Championship.

The 2011 Ricoh Women’s British Open is all set to be another fantastic tournament. Be sure to watch the world’s best women players showcasing their talents when the Championship gets under way on the famous links course on the 28th of July.

Click here for details on how to purchase tickets.

Celebrate Burns with an Ayrshire Short Break

Looking to mark Burns Birthday? Well South Ayrshire council have launched a new website aimed at promoting events in and around Alloway later this month (January 2011).

There are a series of events taking place from Friday 21st of January through until Sunday 23rd celebrating the bard and you can find out more at the Alloway 1759 website and you can check availability and book rooms in the Ayrshire area for the weekend to make a wonderful short break adventure in Burns Country.

Thursday 6 January 2011

Champagne Afternoon Tea in Ayrshire Anyone?

Things to do in 2011! Could be a great series.

Anyway just updating some information for Lochgreen House Hotel, the wonderful Country House Hotel in Troon, and couldn't help but be attracted to the idea of a Champagne Afternoon Tea!
"Afternoon tea is served in Brodick lounge (right) or Drawing room -  A selection of Traditional Finger Cut Sandwiches, Freshly Baked Scones with Preserves and Clotted Cream, Sweet Treats , Pastries and Pot of Tea of your Choice & a glass of Champagne"
Sounds so wonderfully decadent  doesn't it? You can book your short break direct with the hotel on their website

If you're looking for a post Christmas getaway you could certainly indulge at Lochgreen - they've even added a new spa facility in their lodge building.

Just gets better doesn't it.