Tuesday 29 March 2011

Mobile Phone Free Scotland An Advantage?

Aberdeenshire village Pennan, made famous thanks to Bill Forsyth’s 1983 hit film Local Hero, and its neighbouring Crovie are just two areas flagged up by the Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership as being ringtone and message alert-free.

Zillah Jamieson, group director, said: “Many tourist organisations regard poor or non-existent mobile communications as a distinct disadvantage but we believe it can work in our favour.

“We’re Scotland’s ‘dolphin coast’, an area of outstanding beauty and tranquility. Dolphin spotting and wildlife watching need time and concentration. Imagine your first sighting of a family of dolphins being interrupted by your ringtone. Getting away from it all should mean exactly that – leaving the mobile and the PC switched off.”

As well as Crovie and Pennan, which has its iconic red phone box for emergency calls, the partnership says the historic harbours at Portsoy and Gardenstown also provide patchy mobile signals at best.

Seatown in Cullen is another area flagged up where tourists can escape the buzzing and beeping.

Mrs Jamieson added: “The Banffshire coastline is dramatic, breathtaking but very accessible and safe. It is one of the best places in Europe for watching cetaceans, a group which includes dolphins, whales and porpoises.”

In the interest of balance, Mrs Jamieson said the Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership was “equally happy” to point visitors in the direction of places which provide excellent mobile phone coverage.

Kingsbarns Golf Links set to reopen on April 1 for 2011 season

Kingsbarns Golf Links is looking forward to its second decade in operation after a successful 10th anniversary season in 2010.

Having celebrated the anniversary last year by staging qualifying for the Open Championship the highly rated links in the East Neuk of Fife saw more than 27,000 rounds played throughout the season.

The main focus of the green keeping team, led by Course Manager Innes Knight, was to continue improvements to all playing surfaces. In 2010, with the help of 'state of the art' fairway cutting machinery and the addition of an extra patching team, the maintenance team were able to work ahead of daily play unnoticed. This winter's maintenance included work to augment the existing fairway drainage system by improving certain areas which have been affected in the past by torrential downpours. Maintenance has also included work such as bunker revetting, tee and walkway alterations and coastal defence improvements.

The green keeping team work closely with the Sports Turf Research Institute, the leading independent turf care body, to monitor the quality of the greens. The STRI uses highly advanced turf quality measuring equipment on the playing surfaces to help Innes and his team consistently achieve traditional links conditions and true running surfaces.

"The course performed very well in 2010," said Innes. "The Final Qualifying for the Open in June and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the beginning of October were our biggest events of the year and we received very favourable feedback from both tournaments. We have been very busy over the last few months working hard to lay the foundations for a successful start to the 2011 season."

Improvements have also been made to the facilities for golfers including the upstairs locker room, 1st tee starters hut and to the half-way house. The half-way house has undergone a makeover and will continue to sell a selection of chilled beers, hot or cold drinks and snacks, along with its world famous hotdogs.

The green fee at Kingsbarns for next season is £185 with a 50% discount for golfers playing a second round within seven days.

For booking information contact 01334 460861 or visit www.kingsbarns.com and you can check availability for short breaks at Kingsbarns with online accommodation bookings in Fife

Monday 28 March 2011

Sunset Golf on Scotland's West Coast Golf Links

Turnberry, the world’s first golf resort located on the Ayrshire Coast, will relaunch its highly popular sunset tee‐off times from next week as the clocks change and the long summer nights stretch out ahead.
With the Ayrshire sunset in April touching down at 7.56pm and with daylight lasting until 10.05pm in June, golfers are presented with a new four hour window to take to the course with tee off times starting from 3pm to as late as 6pm.

The sunset rates start on Monday 28 March 2011 with a round at the world‐famous Open Championship Ailsa course costing £95. The sister course, the Kintyre, can be played for £55. Tee Times can be booked in advance with no restrictions.

Stewart Selbie, General Manager at Turnberry Resort, commented; “Sunset golf is very popular because of our West Coast location. The views across the Irish Sea to Ailsa Craig in sunset hours are simply stunning. The colours of the course, the sea, the sky and the beach come into sharp contrast and in dramatic light provide the most incredible scenery. Quite a backdrop while playing, what I believe, is the best golf course in the world.”

Earlier this month, The European Tour announced that Turnberry will stage the 2012 Senior Open Championship for the seventh time, making it the most popular venue for the tournament in its history.
Sunset Golf at Turnberry is available seven days a week until 30 September 2011. For further tee time information contact 01655 334 032 or email turnberry.teetimes@luxurycollection.com

You can also book your Ayrshire accommodation online with a number of great golfing hotels in Ayr, Troon, Prestwick and Irvine.

Great Sunset Golf Deals at Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire

Turnberry, the world’s first golf resort located on the Ayrshire Coast, will relaunch its highly popular sunset tee‐off times from next week as the clocks change and the long summer nights stretch out ahead.
With the Ayrshire sunset in April touching down at 7.56pm and with daylight lasting until 10.05pm in June, golfers are presented with a new four hour window to take to the course with tee off times starting from 3pm to as late as 6pm.

The sunset rates start on Monday 28 March 2011 with a round at the world‐famous Open Championship Ailsa course costing £95. The sister course, the Kintyre, can be played for £55. Tee Times can be booked in advance with no restrictions.

Stewart Selbie, General Manager at Turnberry Resort, commented; “Sunset golf is very popular because of our West Coast location. The views across the Irish Sea to Ailsa Craig in sunset hours are simply stunning. The colours of the course, the sea, the sky and the beach come into sharp contrast and in dramatic light provide the most incredible scenery. Quite a backdrop while playing, what I believe, is the best golf course in the world.”

Earlier this month, The European Tour announced that Turnberry will stage the 2012 Senior Open Championship for the seventh time, making it the most popular venue for the tournament in its history.
Sunset Golf at Turnberry is available seven days a week until 30 September 2011. For further tee time information contact 01655 334 032 or email turnberry.teetimes@luxurycollection.com

You can also book your Ayrshire accommodation online with a number of great golfing hotels in Ayr, Troon, Prestwick and Irvine.

Golf Break at Meldrum House near Aberdeen

Guests can enjoy and perfect their game at a world-class practice facility and teaching centre, before retiring to the hotel’s luxury accommodation. The centre, established in 2000, has earned a reputation as one of the most important teaching centres in Scotland, with a particular emphasis on junior development.

The clubhouse at Meldrum House Golf Course also offers truly excellent facilities. It features a comfortable lounge, upstairs balcony with panoramic views over the 18th fairway, TV lounge and a dining room offering an interesting and ever-changing menu.








Members can book the two clubhouse hospitality suites, at no extra charge, for private and business functions. The George Duncan Suite is dedicated to the 1920 Open Championship winner who was raised at Oldmeldrum. Delegate rates apply for business events.

Accommodation is also provided in the 18th-century house set in the expansive Meldrum estate, with rooms across three buildings, each with its own distinct character.

Those looking for historic style will find the main house’s nine large bedrooms particularly comfortable, with the choice of a grand four-poster bed for added opulence. The rooms look out across the estate, and each features antiques which have been part of the fabric of the house for many years.

Within the main house, the hotel dining room serves the best of local produce, while the comfortable bar is a great place to relax.

With a variety of special breaks, Meldrum House Country Hotel is definitely worth checking out.

Friday 18 March 2011

Argyll Dining? Try The Kilberry Inn

We're in an Argyll frame of mind today and thought that wecould highlight another little gem where you might just Surprise Yourself. The Kilberry inn is situated on the B8024, a single track road which is the scenic route between Lochgilphead and Tarbert.

Clare Johnson and David Wilson used to own The Anchorage Seafood Restaurant in Tarbert but ready for a new challenge, in Spring 2005 they bought the Kilberry Inn. Five years on they have entertained world famous opera singers and flamenco guitarists and had cosmopolitan journalists hopping with excitement. There are unconfirmed reports that the Queen dined here during her 80th Birthday cruise and a drawing of the Inn by regular Peter Howson is on the wall beside the fire.

Clare beat the Hairy Bikers, Si King and Dave Myers in a cook off when they visited the Inn to film part of their BBC2 series "Food tour of Great Britain". Her recipe is also featured in their cookery book. The restaurant has also been featured in The Glasgow Herald, Harper's Bazaar, The Sunday Times, Scottish Field and Tam Cowan scored the Inn 25/25 in his column. He later returned to present Clare and David with his Hot Plate award.

You can find out lots more about what's going on at The Kilberry Inn website including a great off inclusive of Dinner, Bed & Breakfast available Tuesday to Sunday for only £195 per room per night.

Surprise Yourself at Machrihanish Dunes

Book your unforgettable August family holiday at Machrihanish Dunes now and enjoy savings and discounts galore. August is Family Fun Month at Machrihanish Dunes – and that means big savings on all kinds of family holiday fun.

Book three nights now and get the fourth night free in our Ugadale Cottages, named Best Hotel in Scotland (small hotels category) by Golf Tourism Scotland. Each of two-bedroom luxury cottages sleep four and includes complimentary breakfast. Plus, kids golf free on the U.K. Top-100 ranked Machrihanish Dunes Golf course, the world’s most natural golf course.

But that’s only the beginning. Because there are so many other fun and educational things for families to do in Kintyre…

Free Passes to the Scottish Owl Centre!

Harry Potter fans will enjoy this! Families who stay at the Ugadale Golf Cottages receive complimentary tickets to the Scottish Owl Centre. As Scotland's only owl centre, you have a unique opportunity to get close to these awesome birds. Meet face to face with birds that you've only heard as a distant twit-twoo! Discover many varieties, from the giant Eurasian Eagle Owl and magnificent Great Grey Owl to the tiny Scops Owl. Plus, witness an exhilarating flying display daily as these majestic hunters show off their awesome abilities.

Discounts on Kintyre Sea Tours

Feel like taking to the water? Enjoy a 2-hour voyage with Mull of Kintyre Sea Tours in Campbeltown. Take in the splendour of the Kintyre coast and its wildlife as you get close to basking seals and puffins and keep an eye out for sharks, porpoises and bottlenose dolphins! The tour takes in Kintyre, Arran, the firth of Clyde, Islay and even Northern Ireland. Guests of the Ugadale Golf Cottages receive £10 off a scheduled cruise.

Kids Golf Free – and Can Earn Their Green Golf Certification

Enjoy playing golf with the kids on the Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course, where kids under 16 always play free. Kids will receive daily complimentary club rentals and sleeve of golf balls during Family Fun Month in August. Junior tee boxes have been established so that young golfers can enjoy the natural layout of Machrihanish Dunes. Family tee times are available on request. Kids will also enjoy a complimentary round of golf on the wee course at the world-acclaimed Machrihanish Golf Club.

In addition, each child will receive a special Golf Environmental Organization (GEO) Certification when he/she participates in one of the free daily golf clinics conducted by our resident Course Guides and Golf Professionals. The clinic includes a special guided eco-tour of Machrihanish Dunes, the only golf course ever built on a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI). Learn how rugged, raw, and beautiful Machrihanish Dunes coexists with the land to actually improve the quality of the environment.

Beach Activities & Island Adventures

Guests can enjoy sunset bonfires on the beach with marshmallows for toasting; Sand-castle building together; mountain bike rentals; hiking; and surfing at Westport Beach and much more! The possibilities for family fun are nearly endless at Machrihanish Dunes.
  • Book 3 nights and your 4th night is free
  • Free golf for kids during your stay
  • Complimentary breakfast for the whole family
  • Free passes to the Scottish Owl Centre
  • Discounts on Mull of Kintyre Sea Tours
  • And much more
Availability of Family Fun Month packages is limited, so book your visit now. Call Freephone within the U.K.: 0800 151 3701, or 44 01586 810 000, or email Machrihanish Dunes directly at info(at)machdunes(dot)com.

Wednesday 16 March 2011

The Best Skiing Conditions in Europe?

Surprise yourself with some spring skiing in Scotland.

And you know what, Ski Cairngorms could be right with their claim. Have a look at the short video. Fantastic conditions up there and plenty of availablity in the area. How about checking out The Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore or The Garth Hotel in nearby Grantown on Spey both have online bookings powered by Bookassist.

Surprise Yourself with Scotland

The new Visitscotland promotional campaign went live today featuring a series of videos highlighting the surprising nature of the country.

Some great videos have been produced for TV and Cinema; the first one here is entitled Trawler and features Eilan Donan Castle, Strathconon, The Isle of Skye, Stonehaven and The Kyles of Bute.



Check availability and book online in a range of hotels, bed and breakfast and self catering properties across the country with Scotland's For Me

Canada Subscribe to Scotland Week

This year, for the first time, the huge contribution of Scots and Scotland to the founding of North America will be celebrated across the whole of Canada and the USA on Tartan Day, April 6th.

The decision by the Federal Government of Canada to officially recognise Tartan Day will add fresh momentum to Scotland Week 2011.

From April 3, 2011, Scotland's Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather, and representatives of Scottish Development International and VisitScotland will carry out an intensive Scotland Week programme of business meetings and other engagements to build on existing links and promote Scotland as an internationally competitive and innovative business location. Deputy Presiding Officer Alasdair Morgan will represent the Scottish Parliament and take part in a number of Scotland Week activities.

This year the Scotland Week programme will include engagements in eight cities across North America, including the Canadian cities of Calgary, Ottawa and Toronto, and will include private business meetings with potential investors, trade events and networking opportunities. Other events will include the annual celebration of Tartan Day on April 6, the Scotland Run, now in its eighth year; and theatre performances of Black Watch by the National Theatre of Scotland in Chicago, and The Promise by Random Accomplice, in New York.

Read more on the Scotland Food and Drink website or get the full programme on the Scottish Government website

Together We're Scotland...

Okay given the results perhaps the message isn't getting through but it's still a bit of fun nonetheless...

Friday 4 March 2011

Senior Open Championship to return to Turnberry in 2012

The Senior Open Championship will return to the spectacular setting of Turnberry on the Ayrshire coastline from July 26-29, 2012, continuing the Scottish resort’s rich history with the prestigious Championship which began with the inaugural staging in 1987.

It will be the seventh occasion that Turnberry’s Ailsa Course has hosted The Senior Open Championship, the most of any venue on the roster, surpassing the six editions played at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

The classic links hosted the first four Senior Open Championships, with Neil Coles wining the inaugural Championship in 1987, Gary Player capturing the title in 1988 and 1990 and Bob Charles lifting the trophy in 1989.

Tom Watson, whose own career is so closely aligned with Turnberry’s proud heritage, then held off the European Senior Tour’s leading career money winner Carl Mason in a play-off when the Championship returned to the Ayrshire Coast in 2003, before fellow American Loren Roberts captured his first Senior Open title in 2006.

Turnberry has also hosted The Open Championship on four occasions with Watson featuring prominently in 1977, when he memorably defeated Jack Nicklaus in what became known as ‘The Duel in the Sun’, and in 2009 when he lost in a play-off to Stewart Cink at the age of 59.

David Hill, Director of Championships for The R&A, said on behalf of the Championship: “We are delighted to announce the return of The Senior Open Championship to Turnberry in 2012, a venue that is steeped in the history of both The Senior Open and The Open.

“The Ailsa Course has provided some of golf’s most memorable moments over the years and hopefully we will once again experience the magnificent support of the Scottish golf fans, just as we did the last time The Senior Open Championship visited the Ayrshire coast in 2008 when we had record crowds at Royal Troon.”

Stewart Selbie, General Manager of Turnberry, said: “Turnberry is delighted to welcome The Senior Open Championship back to the Ailsa course in 2012. Following the success of The 2009 Open, it is entirely fitting that our next Major should be the Senior Open, a tournament which has such a strong connection with the Ailsa course over the years. This announcement confirms Turnberry’s position as a great venue for major Open Championships”

Councillor Bill McIntosh, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: "Turnberry is an iconic golf location and I am thrilled The Senior Open Championship is returning to South Ayrshire next year. We are, of course, the birthplace and home of Open Golf and we are also well-known for hosting major international events, so it’s going to be a fabulous sporting occasion.

“I look forward to welcoming players, staff, fans, family and friends to South Ayrshire for this wonderful event and will ensure a great time is had by all here on Scotland’s very own golf coast.”

EventScotland, the national events agency, has supported the staging of The Senior Open Championship since 2005 and the 2012 event will be the marquee event on Scotland’s golfing calendar that year.

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “The Senior Open Championship is one of Scotland’s most prestigious regular golf tournaments. We are delighted to see it return next year with significant benefits for Turnberry, South Ayrshire and the wider ‘Home of Golf’ expected. It is important for Scotland to maintain its support of these major events as we prepare to host The Ryder Cup in 2014 and to ensure the ongoing development of the sport on our shores.”

The Senior Open last visited Scotland in 2010 when Carnoustie hosted the Championship for the first time. Germany’s Bernhard Langer claimed his first Senior Major Championship and will defend the title from July 21-24 when Walton Heath Golf Club, in Surrey, England, is the host venue for the Championship’s 25th edition.

Discounted advance tickets can be purchased online, with season tickets now available at £60 for a season pass and any one day passes at £16.50. They can be booked online at www.europeantourtickets.com, where other discounts and offers can also be found.

Celebrate the Royal Wedding in Ayrshire

The Royal Wedding day out at Lochgreen House Hotel in Troon in Ayrshire? Yup according to the email from Costley Hotels,
"You are cordially invited to the Royal Wedding at Lochgreen House Hotel. Watch this historic event on our cinema screen & and indulge yourself in Champagne Afternoon Tea before admiring our formal ladies' wear fashion show."
Arrival for Coffee and Shortbread is at 10am on Friday 29th April 2011 and tckets for the day are priced at £24.95 and you should contact the hotel  reception to make a booking on 01292 313343.

You can always check availability and book Lochgreen House Hotel rooms online