Our Scotland
Introduction
Hotels & Restaurants
Golf Courses
Introduction
Throughout the year, Scotland Tours staff are tirelessly seeking out new and improved hotels, restaurants, golf courses and other leisure locations with a view to recommending them to our clients.
These places are all potentially available for you to enjoy as well. If you read about a particular location that you would like included in your vacation or tour, please tell us.
You might also want to bookmark this page and come back frequently to see where we have been recently as we will be adding new locations to this magazine page on a regular basis.
Hotels and Restaurants
Marine Hotel, North Berwick
When you arrive at The Marine Hotel, you are immediately impressed before entering this magnificent looking building. When you go in, this is a typical top end 4 star hotel brought in line with the rest of the Macdonald chain. All the Guest rooms are a great size with good facilities – Trouser Press, Ironing Board and Plasma Screen TV’s.
The views from the back of the hotel overlook the superb North Berwick West Links and out towards the Bass Rock. The restaurant and bar area both look directly out over the golf courses and out to sea.
The Macdonald Marine Hotel is ideal for golfers playing in The East Lothian area and within walking distance of the 1st tee of the West Links at North Berwick and just a short drive to Gullane Golf Club, Muirfield, Kilspindie and all the gems on this part of the east coast.
You can certainly see the investment that Macdonald Hotels have made in returning this magnificent hotel to her former glory.
http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/marine/
North Berwick Golf Lodges
The North Berwick Golf Lodge is owned and maintained by Tom and Emma Hill who will make their guests feel more than welcome. They live less than a minute’s walk away from the lodge so are always close by should you require any help.
The lodge is a great size and ideal for 8 golfers with 8 double beds and 4 bathrooms. It also has a great communal room and kitchen for just enjoying the fun with the group. Outside there is also a private Jacuzzi ideal for four, but I think you could probably squeeze a few more in!!
The lodge is also less than a 10-minute walk from the West Links at North Berwick and just a short drive to Gullane Golf Club, Muirfield, Kilspindie and all the gems on this part of the east coast.
Tom and Emma offer different packages. They will leave you totally alone if that is what you would like, or they will come and cook breakfast for you in the morning and dinner in the evening if this is what you would like – certainly recommended.
http://www.northberwickgolflodge.co.uk/
Rocpool, Inverness - a boutique style hotel in the city centre
As you enter the building the clean lines of marble floor, interesting art and very fashionable furniture greet you. The style is not just restricted to the public areas, the bedrooms and restaurant all enjoy a refreshing style that is homely, fresh, elegant and very comfortable. Bedrooms are beautifully appointed; one even has its own outdoor hot tub. Bathrooms are straight out of a trendy magazine! Perfect for couples - no twin bedded rooms - double beds only. A friendly bar, a stunning restaurant and plenty of parking will make this a popular location for our guests visiting Inverness.
Date visited: August 06
www.rocpool.com
Kilconquhar Castle - 10 miles from St Andrews
The 4 star resort has around 30 modern single story homes with 2,3 or 4 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. These are all well appointed and are ideal for couples, small groups or families to share. The large estate is just 20 minutes from St Andrews and great golf is available nearby at Elie and Lundin Links. This would be a good location if you wanted the space of having your own home rather than a hotel rooms and intend to stay in the same place for a full week.
Date visited: August 06
www.kilconquharcastle.co.uk
Fairmount St Andrews - 5 star resort by St Andrews
The 5 year old St Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa has recently been taken over by the Fairmount Hotel group and are renaming this Fairmount St Andrews. It has 2 golf courses, spa and over 200 rooms and is one of Scotland largest resort and conference venues. Fairmount are a leading North American hotel chain with resorts worldwide, and specialise in 5 star resorts so we can expect some cosmetic rebranding changes in future months to bring it into line with other sister properties elsewhere.
Date visited: August 06
www.fairmont.com/standrews
Golf Courses
Buchanan Castle, near Loch Lomond
Par 70, 6052 yards
This is a gentle parkland course, very flat but clearly defined by the huge trees that date back hundreds of years. The clubhouse is a great old building with comfortable lounges and a friendly bar. Good locker room. Food available. Pro shop.
Crail Golfing Society
Balcomie Course par 67, 5402 yards
Craighead Course par 71, 6250 yards
Crail boasts about being the 7th oldest club in the world. The Balcomie Course is the old links course that has been revered in Scotland golf for generations. Not the longest of links courses, but certainly one of the most enjoyed. Pot bunkers and dry stone walls combine to demand good driving and the greens are always in great shape. This corner of the east coast does not get the extremes of weather so it is playable 12 months a year.
The newer Craighead course is longer and of a more modern design and whilst an enjoyable track, our international visitors will probably prefer the Balcomie Course for the links experience.