SCOTTISH GOLF TRAILS EXPANDS ITS RANGE OF PACKAGES

 

Hector Emslie and Andrew Shinie

A major golf tourism initiative launched over two years ago to provide tailored stay and play golf holidays in north-east Scotland has expanded the range of packages it offers.

 

Scottish Golf Trails was launched in December 2010 to give golfers easy access to some of north-east Scotland’s finest golf courses and accommodation providers.  The scheme offers a number of mix and match course and accommodation options that have been designed around geographic golfing trails.

 

The initiative has now expanded to cover some of Scotland’s best known courses, including Gleneagles, Kingsbarns, Trump International, Castle Stuart and Royal Dornoch.  Increasing the number of golf and accommodation providers in the scheme has led to the number of geographic golfing trails growing from two to four.  Ensuring there is a wider range of courses for golfers to play also addresses a need highlighted by those who have already booked trips through the scheme.

 

The four trails offered by Scottish Golf Trails – Scottish Classics, Royal Deeside, North East Links and Highland Treasures – cover 29 of the finest links and parkland courses in north-east Scotland, covering Perthshire, Fife, Angus, Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands.  The courses will be marketed in conjunction with 17 select accommodation providers to offer integrated golfing holiday packages.  In addition to the four trails, three other courses make up an editor’s choice of must-play rounds.

 

When it launched, Scottish Golf Trails filled a gap in the golf tourism market in the north-east of Scotland.

 

A large amount of international interest in playing golf in north-east Scotland has been generated by the opening of Castle Stuart Golf Links, near Inverness, and Trump International Golf Links, near Aberdeen.  When the Scottish Open moves to Royal Aberdeen in 2014, having been held at Castle Stuart in the three previous years, it is predicted that the exposure generated by this will also help to put the region’s courses on golfers’ must-play lists.

 

In addition to some great golf courses, the north and east of Scotland boasts stunning scenery, a strong built and cultural heritage and fantastic cuisine.  The region is accessible from across the UK with direct flights to Aberdeen and Inverness airports from throughout the country and an overnight sleeper train service from London Euston.  Aberdeen Airport also has direct flights to Norway, Denmark, Holland, Germany, France and Ireland.  There is also a direct flight from Inverness to Amsterdam.

 

Hector Emslie, Scottish Golf Trails’ director, said: “Over the next four years Scottish golf courses will receive extensive exposure around the world as three Open championships and the Ryder Cup are held in the country.  A lot of interest in playing golf in the north-east and Highlands has been generated thanks to the Scottish Open being held in the area.  Our expanded range of tailored stay and play packages ensure the region’s courses are as accessible as possible to golfers looking to play some of Scotland’s best courses.

 

“We are very pleased to welcome so many new partners to Scottish Golf Trails and to now offer four distinct regional course packages.  The feedback we received from golfers was that they wanted to be able to play some of Scotland’s best known courses, so to have Gleneagles, Kingsbarns and Royal Dornoch join the scheme is terrific.  Trump International Golf Links has really put the north-east on the golfing map, particularly in America, so it is exciting to also have their support.

 

“The north-east and Highlands has until recently been a bit of a hidden golfing gem.  There is an abundance of superb links and numerous magnificent parkland courses, including the highest round in Britain at Braemar; all will test and entertain in equal measure.  In addition to great golf are the dramatic scenery, rich heritage, delicious food and warm welcome that this part of Scotland is famed for.”

 

The scheme is backed by 1999 Open winner Paul Lawrie and includes the course where he famously lifted the Claret Jug, Carnoustie, and Banchory where he was assistant pro between 1986 and 1990.

 

When it launched in 2010, Scottish Golf Trails filled a gap in the golf tourism market for an umbrella organisation to promote north-east Scotland to golf tourists.  Numerous reports have noted the need for this type of initiative to help bolster the region’s golf industry.  Similar regional initiatives in other parts of Scotland do not offer such a tailored and packaged product as Scottish Golf Trails, but they have been very successful in helping to grow golf tourism.

 

Scottish Golf Trails, based in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, is an alliance partnership between existing businesses Golfers Scotland Limited, The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, and the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, offering tailored stay and play golf packages.  The alliance partnership was established in April 2010 by Hector Emslie and Andrew Shinie and draws on their 30 years of golf and tourism experience.  Based around four golf trails, the partnership includes 29 golf courses and 17 accommodation providers.  More information about Scottish Golf Trails can be found at www.scottishgolftrails.co.uk or telephone 01330 822226.

 

The four trails are:

• Scottish Classics Trail, featuring: Crail, Fairmont, Kingsbarns, Carnoustie, Blairgowrie and Gleneagles golf courses.
• Royal Deeside Trail, which includes: Peterculter, Banchory, Inchmarlo, Aboyne, Tarland, Ballater, and Braemar golf courses.
• North East Links Trail that comprises the links courses of: Royal Aberdeen, Murcar Links, Trump International Golf Links Scotland, Newburgh-on-Ythan, Cruden Bay, and Fraserburgh.
• Highland Treasures Trail made up of: Moray Old, Nairn, Boat of Garten, Castle Stuart, Royal Dornoch and Spey Valley golf courses.
• In addition, an editor’s choice of select must-play courses – Newmachar, Meldrum House and Craibstone – is also part of the initiative. 

 

ENDS