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Scotland’s Golf Coast Offers More Than Just Amazing Golf in 2022

Jack Rayner — Tue, 10 May 2022 10:03:09 +0000

Scotland’s Golf Coast is one of the most well-known golf regions in the world. Boasting the world famous Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane courses, there are a total of 21 courses along 30 miles of beautiful East Lothian coastline.

A short 30-minute drive from Edinburgh and on a trainline to the capital, Scotland’s Golf Coast is keen to highlight that, besides golf, there is so much more on offer for golfer and non-golfer alike in East Lothian.

Acclaimed as Scotland’s Food and Drink County, the array of fresh produce, creative restaurants and atmospheric hostelries demonstrate that there is more to the region than just the links. With the towns of Aberlady, Gullane, Dunbar and North Berwick offering much in the way of dining, the visitors are well catered for.

Glenkinchie Distillery, the lowland home of Johnnie Walker, offers a new and exciting visitor experience. For those interested in planes, the National Museum of Flight is located at East Fortune, the UK’s best-preserved Second World War airfield.

For nature lovers, there are boat tours to see the world’s largest colony of North Atlantic gannets on the iconic Bass Rock. Whilst the John Muir Way, named after the Dunbar born, Father of US National Parks, is an alternative way to stretch your legs.

History fans can visit Tantallon Castle, stronghold of the Douglas family. Meanwhile aficionados of the small screen can stroll around the grounds of Gosford House, one of the many Scottish locations used for the Outlander series.

In North Berwick, the Scottish Seabird Centre offers an interactive look at the 18,000kms of Scottish coastline and 900 islands. For a flutter of a different kind, Musselburgh racecourse has numerous race meetings, with the extra intrigue of the Musselburgh Old links golf course – which celebrates its 350th anniversary this year – situated in the middle of the racetrack.

From 31st May to 2nd June, over 650, 5 to 18 year olds will compete in the 13th annual US Kids European Championship. Held over five of Scotland’s Golf Coast’s courses, Craigielaw, Musselburgh, Royal Musselburgh, The Glen and Longniddry, players will come from more than 50 countries.

Craigielaw’s General Manager, Derek Scott, said: “It’s fantastic to see the event back after a two-year break.

Not only is it great to see the golfers, but to welcome their families to East Lothian who enjoy visiting the local attractions, seeing the sights, and sampling East Lothian’s finest produce.”

Scotland’s Golf Coast is the business and marketing alliance for golf tourism in East Lothian with 40 members, including golf clubs, accommodation providers and other local businesses.

With a choice of 21 courses, it offers a variety of golf at incredible value. Musselburgh Links, Dunbar, and North Berwick – home to double-winning Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthew – boast excellent reputations, while other notable venues include Archerfield Links, Craigielaw, Kilspindie, Luffness New and The Glen. Royal Musselburgh, Gifford, Longniddry and Winterfield also offer different challenges to enjoy.

Combined with East Lothian’s renowned dry climate, plentiful accommodation choices – including resorts, hotels, bed & breakfasts, and self-catering – and easy access to road, rail and air networks, the region hopes to continue to enhance its reputation.

Duck’s Inn at Aberlady, the refurbished Marine North Berwick on the West links, the Watchman overlooking the Gullane courses and Garleton Lodge, which boasts wonderful views across the Forth and surrounding East Lothian countryside, all offer excellent accommodation options.

For more information on Scotland’s Golf Coast, contact info@scotlandsgolfcoast.com or, at www.scotlandsgolfcoast.com

The post Scotland’s Golf Coast Offers More Than Just Amazing Golf in 2022 appeared first on Golf North.

Alexander MacKenzie

Jack Rayner — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 13:36:36 +0000

Alexander MacKenzie ( 1870 to 1934) Was born in England, but his parents were Scottish and the family holidayed every year close to where his father was raised the traditional Clan MacKenzie lands of Sutherland.

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Newly renovated Nairn Golf Club launches special fourball rate for summer getaways

Jack Rayner — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 15:20:11 +0000

The Nairn Golf Club is giving UK golfers the opportunity to book a break with confidence this year with the introduction of a specially reduced fourball rate on the historic club’s newly renovated Championship Course.

Renowned as a true test of Scottish links golf and located close to Inverness, Nairn has undergone a major two-year course redevelopment that has elevated its already lofty reputation as one of the best courses in the country. And golfers can now enjoy the full ‘Nairn Experience’ for themselves for the discounted fourball price of £380.

Available from April 1st, the offer represents the perfect opportunity for golfers to enjoy a golf break without the difficulties currently associated with foreign travel. The special rate is fully refundable if circumstances mean that golfers are unable to travel.

“We are delighted with the results from the two-year remodelling of our Championship Course and we want to make sure that Nairn is accessible as possible, even in these unprecedented times,” commented Colin Sinclair, Chief Executive of The Nairn Golf Club.

“There are understandable difficulties with foreign travel at present, so our special fourball rate means that golfers can still enjoy a golf break while experiencing everything that our club has to offer, including the wonderful highland hospitality.”

Investing £900,000 into the course remodelling project, Nairn enlisted the expertise of world leading golf course architects, Mackenzie and Ebert, who made significant alterations to the layout of the course, making it a tougher test for elite players while still offering an enjoyable and unforgettable experience for golfers of all abilities.

“The Championship Course has always been synonymous with quality putting surfaces and incredible views of the Moray Firth, but now we have a course that will ask many questions of the elite golfer and at the same time offer a fun experience for the higher handicapper,” added Sinclair.

Investment in the project totalled close to £900,000, with Mackenzie and Ebert tasked with elevating the course offering, while at the same time reflecting the ethos and history of the club.

The architects recommended a move away from revetted bunkers on the fairways to a more naturalised style so that the fairway hazards would be less daunting.

The project also included the decision to move the bunkers up and in to make Nairn a much tougher driving test for the game’s elite players, allowing it to continue to host major events such as the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup which it staged in 1999 and 2012, respectively and this years Amateur Championship in June.

Additionally, the course now boasts three new greens and 13 remodelled green surrounds. A total of 39 rough-edged fairway bunkers have been installed and 27 greenside bunkers remodelled and revetted, while a selection of remote bunkers have also been removed.

Along with three relocated teeing complexes at the 2nd, 7th and 8th holes, there were a further 11 tees added to give the course a variety of yardages for players of all standards. Open sand areas have also been introduced at various parts of the course to incorporate biodiversity with the natural environment.

Commenting on the project, Tom Mackenzie said: “The course at Nairn has long been a respected tournament venue, and rightly so.

“However, when we first visited, all was not quite right, and a survey of the members highlighted how tough the course was for the shortest players. At the other end of the game, everyone knows the how much the longest players have benefited from technological and swing advances.

“Our study recommended that the shortest players needed to be looked after better, so we added forward tees, shortened carries and removed some steep, deep bunkers that only hampered the less strong.

“It is tricky to find the right balance, but we are confident that we have found it,” added Mackenzie. “New greens on the 1st, 7th and 14th holes also help to make the most of the wonderful views.”

Nairn consists of the renovated 18-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Cameron Course, a traditional clubhouse and well-equipped practice facilities.

To find out more about the club, visit www.nairngolfclub.co.uk/

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