 |
|
Castles, Clubs & Chandeliers
|
By: Andrew Marshall, Issue 36 – Summer 2009
|
(Turnberry, Muirfield, Kingsbarns Golf Links, Carnoustie Golf Links and Royal Dornoch – Scotland)
|
SCOTLAND IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO SAMPLE SOME WORLD-CLASS GOLF WHILE PLAYING AT LAIRD OF THE MANOR.
|
There’s no more Scottish an image than that of a castle surrounded by swirling mist. Most of Scotland’s castles ooze a colourful and turbulent history ... the stuff of legends and ghost stories. All the classic imagery can be found in abundance: secret passageways, spiral staircases, dungeons, haunted rooms, four-poster beds, old oil paintings, chandeliers, suits of armour, stuffed game and roaring log fires. The good news is that you can spend the night at many castles and several have top drawer golf courses right on their doorstep or a short drive away. Here are six of the best castle and golf course combinations in Scotland.
|
AYRSHIRE
|
STAY: Culzean Castle
|
There’s a sense of anticipation as you drive the twisting wooded laneway towards the front door of this storybook castle. In a truly spectacular setting, Culzean stands dramatically on a rocky promontory on the Ayrshire coast commanding views across the sea to the mountains of Arran and the Mull of Kintyre. Designed by noted Scottish architect, Robert Adam, Culzean is considered one of the finest examples of a Georgian castle in the country, the Oval Staircase and Circular Saloon being standout features of his work.
|
The castle has strong connections with the USA, and the Scottish people dedicated the top floor to General Dwight D. Eisenhower after World War II, as a token of their appreciation for his role in the victory. Besides Eisenhower memorabilia and fine 18th century furniture, there’s an extensive collection of armour and weapons dating from the 17th century.
|
The luxury Eisenhower apartment has six double/twin bedrooms that are available either for individuals or for groups of up to 12. Fine Scottish cuisine is served in the dining room and guests can relax at any time in the drawing room offering dramatic sea views.
|
PLAY: Turnberry
|
A few miles down the coast are the the world-class links of Turnberry, venue for the British Open Championship 2009. The Ailsa course came to International fame with the notorious ‘Duel in the Sun’ between Tom Watson (champion) and Jack Nicklaus over four sweltering days during July 77.
|
Since then, Greg Norman (86) and Nick Price (94) have made up the trio of golfing greats to lift the Claret Jug, and the Ailsa is regularly ranked among the top 20 golf courses in the world and as one of the top three in Britain.
|
“In preparation for the 2009 Open, the course has undergone a major revamp. There’s additional fairway bunkering and new tees have increased the length to over 7,200 yards,” says head golf professional Richard Hall.
|
The ninth (Bruce’s Castle) is a contender for Turnberry’s trademark hole. Adjacent to the famous lighthouse and the remains of Robert the Bruce’s Castle (the Scottish King from 1306-1329), this 452-yard par-4 has no bunkers, yet is daunting especially from the Championship tee which is perched on a rocky premonitory on the edge of the sea.
|
Other golf courses: Royal Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes.
|
EDINBURGH/EAST LONDON
|
STAY: Fenton Tower
|
Originally built in the mid-16th century, this ancient monument was in virtual ruins when Ian Simpson and his life-long friend John Macaskill, decided to start the Tower’s restoration in 1998. Due to its status as a Category A-listed building, the project was scrupulously supervised by Historic Scotland with stipulations the materials used be identical to those in the original.
|
Today, the tower combines 16th century history and five-star luxury with the informality of a private home and is available for exclusive rental for 8 to 12 guests, or individually rented rooms on a nightly basis. Just 20 miles east of Edinburgh, Fenton Tower is the castle of choice if you are interested in playing Muirfield or any of the 15 or so other courses within a 10-mile drive. There’s even room to practice before you go out, with some golfing guests spending many happy hours chipping balls onto a nearby island. If you are interested in shooting or fishing, then grouse, partridge and pheasant shoots for up to eight guns, and fly fishing on the nearby rivers can be arrange.
|
PLAY: Muirfield
|
Home to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and most recently the 2002 Open Championship this very exclusive seaside links course features long narrow fairways, fast undulating greens, innumerable pot bunkers and thick rough. A structural masterpiece, the outer holes of the course are palyed clockwise and the inner holes anti- clockwise, forcing players to constantly ajust their game for the wind direction.
|
It can be quite tricky securing a tee time at Muirfield with Tuesday and Thursday mornings the only times visitors may play, so it is advisable to check online for tee times well in advance. Times fill up very quickly during the peak season from May to September, but the good news is Muirfield has ideal full course playing conditions all year round.
|
Other golfing options: North Berwick, Gullane No.1.
|
FIFE
|
STAY: Myres Castle
|
Just 45-minutes from Edinburgh in the Kingdom of Fife, the entire five star medieval castle is available for private rental. Set within a 44-acre estate of gardens and parkland, the original Myers Castle was a Z-plan fortress dating from around 1530 and has been altered and extended over the years. The square tower of grey ashlar was added in 1616.
|
There are nine guest bedrooms, and groups as small as 12 may rent the castle and all it contains for a minimum two-night stay. The full time staff includes an award-winning chef, who is equally adept at rustling up a casual supper on the solid oak table of the Victorian kitchen to something grander in the formal setting of the magnificent dining room.
|
Guests can enjoy clay pigeon shooting, croquet on the front lawn, cooking lessons, watch a falconry display or unwind in the library with a glass of single malt and a good book. Myres is well situated for playing the collection of top-drawer golf courses in the St Andrews’ area including: Kingsbarns, the Old Course, New Course, Jubilee, Eden, Fairmont, Duke’s and the new Castle course (just opened). But don’t be surprised if the real highlight of your trip turns out to be the castle itself,
|
PLAY: Kingsbarns Golf Links
|
Designed by leading golf architect Kyle Phillips, Kingsbarns is a tribute to classic Scottish links and has come on in leaps and bounds since opening in 2000. The course meanders along more than one-and-a-half miles of rugged seashore offering ocean views from every hole. Featuring spacious fairways rolling and twisting through dune ridges and hollows, true links turf and large greens, the course is challenging yet playable.
|
“At Kingsbarns it’s all about risk and reward,” says David Scott, Director of Golf. “You can play to a safe area but it’s likely to be a tough angle to the green. If you take a gamble and go the Tiger line, you will have the choice of playing a running shot or one through the air.”
|
Other golf courses: St Andrews Old Course, Gleneagles
|
EAST COAST
|
STAY: Ethie Castle
|
Immortalised as ‘Knockwinnoch’ in Sir Walter Scott’s novel, The Antiquary, Ethie Castle – with its 14th century sandstone keep – is alleged to be the second oldest permanently inhabited castle in Scotland. In recent years it’s been meticulously restored and maintained as the current residence of the de Morgan family.
|
Husband-and-wife team Keith and Yvonne Braid are live-in castle keepers. “First and foremost, this is a family home,” says Yvonne “but we have three rooms available and can accommodate up to eight people.” While Yvonne serves famous Arbroath Smokies (kippers) in the breakfast room, Keith, a member of nearby Carnoustie Golf Links likes to entertain guests with his golf yarns.
|
PLAY: Carnoustie Golf Links
|
A 30-minute drive down the Angus coastline is the town of Carnoustie and home to the renowned Championship Course, originally laid out in 1840 by Allan Robertson, with major changes being introduced later by Old Tom Morris and James Braid.
|
There’s nothing to match the experience of playing one of the most famous and challenging courses in world golf and the finishing hole with the clubhouse in the background is a highlight. A scene of major drama in the 99 and 07 British Opens, this 510-yard par-4 will play as a par-5 for the majority of golfers even from the front markers. Faced with a tee shot most likely into the wind, you must negotiate the notorious Barry Burn that winds across the fairway like an agitated snake.
|
Other golf courses: Royal Aberdeen, Murcar Links, Cruden Bay.
|
HIGHLANDS
|
STAY: Dornoch Castle Hotel
|
The 15th century Dornoch Castle Hotel is situated in private and beautifully manicured gardens opposite the 12th century Dornoch Cathedral. It is steeped in Scottish history with stories of witchcraft, a secret underground passageway connecting the Castle and Cathedral, and a harmless ghost (a sheep stealer by the name of Andrew McCornish who was imprisoned in the dungeons below the Tower and was reputedly seen by the Minister of Avoch towards the end of the last century).
|
Of the 24 ensuite bedrooms, 4 deluxe rooms are located in the original 15th century castle, together with the bar and reception. Dornoch Castle Hotel still bears an air of magnificence and is perfectly situated for playing the hallowed links of Royal Dornoch only a well-struck drive and a 5-iron away,
|
PLAY: Royal Dornoch
|
Golf was first played here at least as far back as 1616 when the Earl of Sutherland ordered clubs and balls to take up the game that was becoming so popular further south. This makes Royal Dornoch the third oldest golfing community in Scotland.
|
“After the second hole, you round a corner, pass a hedge and golfing heaven breaks loose.” These words on the club’s website are temptation enough, but once you go around the said corner, everything about this world top 20 course is right in front of you. Framed between the hills and picturesque mountains to the left and the wild North Sea is a rich tapestry of undulating fairways and plateau greens interspersed with flowering yellow gorse. Magical.
|
Other golf courses: Brora, Nairn.
|
Details:
|
Culzean Castle
|
Turnberry
|
Fenton Tower
|
Muirfield
|
Myres Castle
|
Kingsbarns Golf Links
|
Ethie Castle
|
Carnoustie Golf Links
|
Dornoch Castle Hotel
|
Royal Dornoch
|
|
