Al Hughes Live at The Inn at Lathones

Still some tickets available for Al Hughes live at the wonderfully intimate little venue in The Stables at The Inn at Lathones near St. Andrews on Monday 29th June.
Rooted in the blues and soul tradition like so many Scottish singers, Al Hughes writes from his own perspective on topics which are very much of today. His influences can be clearly seen, but make no mistake, this music is modern, relevant and gathering praise from a growing number of well respected figures on the British music scene. Comparisons have been made by more than one reviewer between Al and the late Rory Galagher's acoustic playing and also to both Chris Smither and Townes Van Zandt. Playing a wide variety of guitars, including a huge sounding, custom built, 12 string resonator. Al's music conjures up a variety of moods, from forceful and raucous to gentle and wistful. Indeed one reviewer called his slide playing "eerily atmospheric". Always looking to expand his horizons, Al has played clubs, concerts and festivals all over the UK and Europe and you can find out more about the gig at Mundell Music website

NanoBreaks in Ayrshire!

First it was “staycationers”, and now a new Scottish hotel is targeting the latest UK tourism phenomenon. Brits who are short of time and cash are turning to “nanobreaks” - or short one-night stays – this summer.

Nanobreakers tend to want to drive just a couple of hours - a distance of about one hundred miles or so from their homes – for a quick change of scenery.

The new £1m Woodland Bay Hotel outside Girvan in Ayrshire, Scotland, opens on July 11 and Director Gillian Forbes says she has factored the new short break into her planning by targeting the North of England.

“VisitBritain, the UK tourism body, is running campaigns such as “Britain for less” and “Enjoy every minute” and this clearly demonstrates the prevailing mood of price-sensitivity and value for money.

“Despite the credit crunch, holidaymakers are determined to keep travelling this summer. Weathermen are forecasting a 30 degree heat wave in Scotland in August, so lots of cost-conscious holidaymakers will head north of the border for the Florida-style sunshine, the golf, the beaches and the scenery. Already we’re getting bookings for one night stays from the Carlisle, Newcastle and Liverpool areas, and I expect this trend to continue.

Woodland Bay Hotel has sixteen brand-new Ocean View bedrooms which Gillian describes as “four-star quality at affordable three-star prices” and “an oasis of calm, comfort and cosseting”.
“Prices start from only £30 per person per night and include freshly-cooked Scottish breakfast using the very best of our own and other local produce.

“South Ayrshire has so much to offer in terms of family fun and entertainment. So if people in the North of England are looking for a perfect one-night stay just a short drive away, there's no better place to escape to than here."

For more information and to book you rooms online log on to Woodland Bay Hotel.

Enterkine Offer A Perfect Day for Food and Drink

Enterkine Country House near Ayr on the west coast have emailed to let us know that they are delighted to be working with Eatscotland again and are offering a two course lunch and coffee for £15.00 during June and July. The menu is available Monday - Saturday inclusive and a sample menu would for the offer is listed below.
You can see more at Enterkine's website and even reserve your accommodation online:

Rose of Chilled Seasonal Melon
Apple Jelly, Soft fruits & Raspberry Sorbet

Terrine of veal & Oxtail Confit
Onion Marmalade, Organic Leaves & Brioche

Butternut Squash Velouté
Parmesan Cheese & Truffle Oil
~~~~ o O o ~~~~
Fillet of Salmon & Pancetta
Potato purée , Pesto & Red Pepper

Breast of Corn Fed Chicken
Roast Roots, Fondant Potatoes & Spring Cabbage

Braised Shin of Buccleuch Beef
Cous-Cous & Organic Rocket
~~~~ o O o ~~~~
Sticky Date Pudding
Toffee Sauce, & Caramel Ice Cream Dark Valrhona Chocolate Fondant
Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream

Chef's Selection of Ice Creams and Sorbets
~~~~oOo~~~~
Coffee
Add an extra course for £3.00

PS - they also still have some tables available for The Open Championship but reservations are essential.

Scotland's For Them Too...

You know sometimes you find just by chance some wonderful little nuggets on the net; Blogging that says something about the individuals tied in with their travels brings a destination to life so much more and so it was this morning. After having posted a couple articles about golfers Bob Charles and Ian Poulter I found a link somewhere to this wonderful little travelogue written about a tour to Scotland by an American family in 2007.
Somehow it captures the nature of the place really well and well it's just honest. This is what it should be about not just 140 characters!!
Have a read of "Holiday in the UK" and discover the adventures of a family using Glasgow as a holiday base - some really great images too

Bob Charles... Scotland's For HIm

Great wee article in the Press and Journal recently outlining a proposed visit to the Highlands and North East by former Open Champion Sir Bob Charles who remains the only left-hander to have won the championship who is coming to Scotland to play a few holes at the age of 73.

Charles, who won the 1963 Open at Royal Lytham asked Aberdeen businessman and golfing friend Jim Hardie to set-up a wish list of Scottish courses he wants to play on which included North Berwick, Royal Montrose, Cruden Bay, Lossiemouth, Nairn, Castle Stuart, Brora and Tain.

At most of the courses Charles will be partnered by people such as the host club professional, club captain or club champion. The tee has been reserved at noon for all the courses with the exception of the Moray golf club at Lossiemouth where the tee-off time will be 3pm.

Charles first played in the north-east at the Northern Open at Murcar in the early 1960s and he was back much more recently to play in the Senior British Open at Royal Aberdeen in 2005.He was knighted for his services to golf in 1999 and has been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

The dates of Bob Charles’ Scottish golf tour were published in the paper so we guess he doesn't mind a view spectators along the way but maybe check with the courses first –

• June 29 – North Berwick
• July 1 – Montrose
• July 2 – Cruden Bay
• July 4 – Lossiemouth
• July 5 – Nairn
• July 6 – Castle Stuart
  
• July 7 – Brora
• July 8 – Tain

Pretty cool little trip and worth trying if you're coming into Scotland but Bob just one other wee thing, see if you have some time between Brora and Tain go visit Golspie. Truly great wee course and deserving of the publicity!

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Fly to The Scottish Highlands from Dusseldorf

A new service offering direct Lufthansa flights between Dusseldorf and Inverness began at the weekend with passengers stepping off the inaugural run being given a traditional Scottish welcome of a piper and a taste of Scottish fare.

The once-a-week Saturday flight arrives in the Highland capital at 11.45am and leaves at 12.25pm and will operate until September 12.

The German market remains Scottish tourism's largest European market with an estimated 300,000 Germans visiting Scotland in 2008 and spending around £187million.
Lufthansa spokeswoman Marianne Sammann said, “We have introduced this service as a direct response to the demands of our passengers. The Scottish Highlands are becoming an increasingly popular destination for many German travellers, particularly those living in Dusseldorf, so this new link brings considerable economic opportunities to the local community.”

Inverness Airport manager Graeme Bell said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for the airport, and in the current economic situation this new route will bring some financial stability to the tourism sector in the Highlands.”

You can check availability of flights into Scotland with Lufthansa

Ian Poulter - Scotland's For Him!

According to the Glasgow Evening Times "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond are about to get a stunning new look - thanks to the flair of golf's fashion pace-setter, Ian Poulter. The flamboyant Englishman is a confirmed entry for the Barclays Scottish Open, which runs from July 9-12, and has revealed he has designed four new tartans for his already-extensive wardrobe especially for his visit to Scotland.

He said: "I'm launching four new tartans in my own clothing line this summer, so there is definitely a Scottish theme in there. advertisement "One of them will be a limited edition for the Open, which will be red, white and blue.

"They are all authentic tartans, approved by the Scottish Tartans Authority, and it will be great to wear them. Hopefully, I'll get a good reaction."

Tickets for the Barclays Scottish Open can be purchased in advance on the European Tour website and for the brave Ian Poulter's Tartan Trousers can be purchased from his online store