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
Labels: WHERE TO GO
