Re: Scotland
 

If you are in the Prestwick area I would also look at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club. Always in fabulous condition, its tough, but fairly short.

Re: Scotland
 

Don't stay in Prestwick, there are no good hotels. In Troon I recommend The Piersland Not The Marine (very hit & miss on rooms, some are tiny) or The LochGreen (very expensive and the restaurant only does 7 course meals, except breakfast which is great). I also recommend Highgrove which is run by Costley & Costley, same guy runs LochGreen. It has fantastic views if you get a room overlooking the bay, the food is absolutely amazing and draught Peroni :-)
If you stay in Ayr I can recommend without qualification The Western Racecourse hotel, superb especially if you have a room in the main hotel and not the annexes outside. Food is incredible, staff are lovely. Alternatively down at the seafront try Faifield House hotel, can be a bit hit & miss on some rooms but generally OK.
For eating in Ayr try The Beresford (another Costley Costley but his son runs it), really great food. If you like curry The Ruppee Room does the most ENORMOUS portions and naan breads. For just a pub with great food The Treehouse. In Troon for fish there is only one place MacCallums oyster bar at the end of the harbour (book early!) or just fish & chips The Wee Hurrie is attached.

Anything you want to know about Prestwick/Ayr/Troon just ask as I was up there on business for 4 1/2 years, so there is no hotel or eatery I've not been in.

Re: Scotland
 

there is no reason on earth good enough to go to Dundee, just dont. Its shite.

Loch Lomond however is awesome, Ayrshire is lovely, Ayr itself is also shite but an order of magnitude better than Dundee.

Go to Glasgow and Loch Lomond

Re: Scotland
 

Weather wise the east coast is likely to be drier than the west, and have less midgies!

If you’re there end-July or August then a day in Edinburgh for the festival would be worthwhile. Personally I’d go to Edinburgh over Glasgow every time.

Golf wise it’s hard to go too far wrong really. Either pick a couple of courses you really want to play and base yourselfers around them, or pick a place or two you really want to visit and then golf nearby or en route.

For golf you could try the Trump Links (World’s Greatest Golf Course | Trump Hotel & Golf | Aberdeen, Scotland) outside Aberdeen. It’s a little further north (1.5hrs from Edinburgh), but from what I’ve heard from friends who’ve played it (and as much as I hate Trump) it is very, very, good. You could also play Royal Aberdeen (ROYAL ABERDEEN GOLF CLUB) which is close by. It’s the 6th oldest golf course in the world and is hosting the Scottish Open this year.

Re: Scotland
 

Thanks again.

Mikewot - Useful stuff, thanks mate.
Shiva - Dundee only to see the family, if they reply. They're all in Broughtyferry (sp?) which is apparently less shit?
Red Sheep - Thanks; I've looked at a lot of the big name courses and all are 100-250 quid and I think it's a huge waste of money. Well, not a waste but I'd rather play 3 times than once. Dad suggested a few local to Dundee if we go that way but I've found some in Prestwick and around Loch Lomond that look good.

Re: Scotland
 

Same chap who owns the Rupee Room owns the The Rupee Room at Dubai marina. Mikewot which years did you work there? We may have crossed paths in a previous life!

Scamp if you are staying at Loch Lomond I think i'd stay at Lodge on the loch, I think the scenery is nicer and they have a lovely log fire.

Re: Scotland
 

I was an RAF controller there 92-98 and then worked on the new Prestwick Centre project before I came out here 2 1/2 years ago.

Re: Scotland
 

Lodge on the Loch

Re: Scotland
 

Scamp - if you are in Ayrshire you can play good courses like Troon Muncipal (Lochgreen) rather than Royal Troon and get more than 3 rounds for your money. Others that I found were good value for money in that general area are Annanhill, Dundonald and West Kilbride.

If you go to Morayshire might be worth googling the Moray Firth Golf Ticket as that gave access to lots of courses and was good value.

enjoy!

Re: Scotland
 

I must admit I find 100quid+ for a round of golf somewhat galling as well.

Cheaper option and about 30mins north of Dundee is Montrose (Home - Play Montrose Golf Courses - Quality Links Courses in Scotland), very fine links course, often used an Open qualifier.

Re: Scotland
 

The Commonwealth Games start in a months time, I'd give Glesga a miss.

Re: Scotland
 

what about on the other side... cruden bay, aberdeen etc

Re: Scotland
 

wonder if they have got rid of they traveller camp in the car park yet?

Re: Scotland
 

Bit of a slog up to Aberdeen, especially with all the speed cameras North of Perth.
I often go 'home' to Aberdeen and with my wife and I driving we can do the trip from Fareham in 9 hours, including meal break and change overs. But we've done it hundreds of times.

Re: Scotland
 

Think I'm now set on the Western coast. Lomond and Prestwick etc etc.

Going to be looking and booking tonight. Probably need to print this thread!

Your home is in Fareham?

Dirty PO postcode.