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Scottish Links Golf
a different game
The Basics
Detailed information
AFSD - how to determine
the real length of a golf course
Helpful Websites
Platinum Page
Upscale places, products & services
Aberdeen &
Grampian Highlands
Cruden Bay
Murcar
Royal Aberdeen
Stonehaven
Ayrshire
Royal Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick...
Northern Highlands
Royal Dornoch, Brora, Nairn..
Just east of Edinburgh
Scotland's Golf Coast
North Berwick, Muirfield, Gullane...
St. Andrews area
Out of the way, but worth a play
Machrihanish, Pitlochry...
Links Lite
Great links golf
for the not-so-great golfer
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What others say
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Aberdeen and Grampian Highlands©
...land of historic castles and single malt
distilleries...stately homes and gardens...stone
circles...some of the most attractive coastlines
in Scotland... salmon rivers...mountains
and rolling countryside...and golf courses
galore. A land best seen and appreciated
by the independent golfer.
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14th Century Dunnottar Castle at Stonehaven,
setting for
Franco Zeffirelli's 1990 film
Hamlet |
Where to Stay near Aberdeen
Savock House -- 4 star -- Highly recommended. We stay at this elegant,
exceptionally well-run B&B when in the area. You will enjoy owners
Pat and George Booth and their hospitable
dog Millie. Pat, a fine golfer and past captain of Royal
Aberdeen Ladies Golf Club, is always happy
to share helpful info with her guests. The
beautifully decorated Victorian house is
on a farm, well-located directly between
Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay.
The Booths raise naturally reared Aberdeen
Angus beef cattle (among the world's finest)
and supply many top restaurants in Scotland.
Their shop in the village sells their organically
grown produce, superior beef and lamb.
www.aboutscotland.com/aberdeen/savock.html..
Aikenshill B&B -- 4 star -- Ideally located between Aberdeen
and Cruden Bay, near the beautiful dunes
of the North Sea coast. Richard and I were
grateful to learn about another fine place
to stay in this area. It was strongly recommended
to us by Australian friends, who give high
praise to this luxurioius B&B. (Thank
you, Heather and Bill.) Check out the Aikenshill
website. Everything you expect from a deluxe accommodation. http://www.aikenshill.co.uk/
Brackenbrae -- 4 star B&B. Only two bedrooms, with
one large bathroom serving both rooms. If
that's not a problem, you'll find it a very
nice B&B.
Ythanbank, Ellon www.brackenbrae14.freeserve.co.uk
Hollyburn Lodge -- self-catering lodge for weekly rentals.
Near Stonehaven, with Royal lAberdeen, Murcar
and Cruden Bay golf courses all within reach.
www.hollyburnlodge.co.uk
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If you want to stay in a city instead of
the countryside
The Jays Guest House -- 4 star guest house with 10 rooms, in
the heart of Aberdeen. Award-winning, the
Jays is the only guesthouse in Aberdeen city
recommended by both Frommers and Fodors guides.
422 King Street, Aberdeen
(0)1224 638295
www.jaysguesthouse.co.uk
and featured on our PLATINUM PAGE
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*****The Marcliffe at Pitfodels .... 5 stars all the way. Member Small Luxury Hotels of The World, with a guest list that includes Prince Charles,
Mikhail Gorbachev, the Sultan of Brunei,
Tom Watson and countless other VIPs. Genuine
Old World elegance in a relaxed and friendly
atmosphere. See our write-up on Platinum Page and their own elegant website www.marcliffe.com.
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Where to Eat near Aberdeen
Cock & Bull - A 19th Century coaching inn serving excellent
food all day long. (Savock farm's naturally
raised Aberdeen Angus beef is a specialty
here.) In Balmedia on the A90. Heading south
towards Aberdeen from Savock, watch for it
on your right. Your hosts at Savock will
give you directions. www/thecockandbull.co.uk. Reservations usually necessary.
Eat On The Green - Fine, innovative food with an award-winning
chef. On the Udney Green, just a short distance
from Savock House. (They'll direct you.)
Reservations recommended. www.eatonthegreen.co.uk.
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Things to Do near Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire is rich with places and things
to see, so I'll highlight a sample of each
type for you and then you can check out a
very fine website that will give you the
full description of all the others. www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Balmoral Castle - Scottish home of the royal family since
it was purchased by Queen Victoria. This
is on the "Castle Trail" (see above website) which is dotted with
many lovely and visitable castles that lie
along the River Dee, all on the D39 out of
Aberdeen. (Many people take several days
just for this Deeside route alone.) We found
Balmoral to be a fascinating tour. However,
it's not open when the royal family is in
residence, usually August.
Pitmedden Gardens, on the A920, 1 mile west of Pitmedden village.
Very renowned. In the Great Garden there
are 17th Century parterre designs, very elaborate.
Woodland walks and lots of wildflowers. Over
5 miles of boxwood hedge, with 30,000 annual
plants! If you are a garden enthusiast, this
will be a "must see."
Haddo House in Ellon, north of Aberdeen, has sumptuous
interiors and magnificent gardens. View it
on www.nts.org.uk
Stone Circle Trail has numerous historical sites. I recommend
the Stonecircle of Loanhead, on the B9001 if you only have time for
one. It's believed to be 4,000-5,000 years
old. www.agtb.org/standing-stones.htm
Aberdeen Maritime Museum - a 5 star, award-winning museum in Shiprow,
Aberdeen. Since I'm so interested in ships
and the sea, I always ferret out maritime
museums whenever I can. And this is a very
good one. Exciting exhibitions include sailing
vessels, shipbuilding, and the off-shore
oil industry (of which Aberdeen is the European
capital). The musuem also has a nice cafe
in case you get hungry.
Check out www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk for more more details on the above as well
as more info in general. Aberdeenshire is
a very appealing (and too often overlooked)
area of Scotland. You'll find much here to
enjoy.
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