| Our trip went very smoothly, thanks to Dave | | | | enough that you can find the course, practice and |
| Saunders at LondonGolf who arranged the whole | | | | study the course guide before teeing off. Most of |
| thing. He did a spectacular job and, in general, | | | | the courses we played had practice areas, but they |
| everything went as planned. We did learn some | | | | are often somewhat removed from the clubhouse. |
| things along the way that may be of help to anyone | | | | We didn't take any travelers checks. It's just as easy |
| else interested in making the journey to golf's mecca. | | | | to get money from an ATM and at a better |
| In no particular order... | | | | exchange rate. When I arrived at the Edinburgh |
| If you're a Scotch drinker and want to enjoy it while | | | | airport I changed $200, the rest of the time I used |
| you're there (as we did), definitely buy some at a | | | | my credit cards or an ATM. With all the credit card |
| store or distillery in Scotland. If you plan to take | | | | theft these days, make sure to call your card |
| some home, it's a better deal to buy it at the Duty | | | | companies in advance and tell them when and where |
| Free shop at the airport. It's cheaper and you don't | | | | you'll be traveling, otherwise you're charges are likely |
| have to pay the VAT (value added tax that is | | | | to be denied. |
| everywhere in Europe and around 15%) and then fill | | | | If you have the time, drive into the mountains. |
| out paperwork, get it stamped, find the special | | | | They're completely different from what you'll see |
| mailbox at the airport and cross your fingers you get | | | | along the coast and definitely worth the visit. If you |
| a refund in the next 6 months. If you get to | | | | have time to get to the west coast of the Highlands, |
| Tomintoul in the Cairngorm Mountains, stop in at the | | | | do it for sure. It's beautiful and completely different |
| Whiskey Castle, you won't regret it and you'll find | | | | from the rest of the country. |
| scotches you've never seen before in your life. Tell | | | | The breakfasts at the B&B's are terrific. You |
| Mike Drury I'm enjoying the Blackadder he convinced | | | | can pretty much get anything and everything and it's |
| me to buy. | | | | all cooked to order. From what we saw, dinner is |
| Driving on the left isn't so bad as long as you're | | | | you're typical meat and potatoes or fish and chips. |
| conscious of what you're doing. The problems arise | | | | One of the best meals we had was at an Indian |
| when you're on automatic pilot. Your instincts will be | | | | restaurant called Ganges in Carnoustie. All the golf |
| all wrong. I've visited left side driving countries maybe | | | | clubs will welcome you into their clubhouse. The food |
| 6 times now without incident, but I have had some | | | | is usually very good and the beer better. |
| close calls when I wasn't conscious of what I was | | | | You can still get real cashmere in Scotland. Johnston's |
| doing, like when you're tired. Parking lots are | | | | in Elgin is the one Scottish mill left that spins their |
| dangerous because there are no markings to guide | | | | own yarns. And you aren't limited to the single ply |
| you and usually no cars to follow. When making | | | | stuff that comes out of China. Their cashmere is the |
| turns, remember the first lane to cross your track is | | | | real deal and you can even get it in 2 or 3 ply. The |
| to the right. The same applies when crossing streets! | | | | prices seemed very reasonable and nothing is |
| Besides a few main highways, the roads are two lane | | | | warmer as an underlayer on the links than a nice |
| and narrow. Add twisty, and it's a bit disconcerting to | | | | cashmere sweater. |
| face a truck coming right at you. It doesn't seem to | | | | The supermarkets sell wine and beer. There are |
| bother the Scots though. They never seem to slow | | | | some terrific Scottish bottled beers there that you |
| down while I often had to come to a crawl. Be | | | | won't find many other places. Be sure and try 'Innis |
| mindful of anyone in the passenger seat, they will | | | | and Gunn' which is aged in oak casks and 'Lia Fail', you |
| s__t themselves a few times. Imagine feeling you're | | | | won't regret it. |
| on the wrong side of the road and having no steering | | | | Don't be afraid to take the side roads along the |
| wheel! | | | | coast. You'll find lovely small towns that you'd |
| If you've got the time, give yourself some days | | | | otherwise miss. You'll feel like it's the 19th century. If |
| without golf. My wife and I played every day and on | | | | you drive the coast from Dornoch to St. Andrews as |
| three occasions it was 36 holes. As many of the best | | | | we did, you'll find it is constantly changing. It ranges |
| courses restrict play on the weekends until Sunday | | | | from dramatic cliffs that fall into the sea to beautiful |
| afternoon, these are great times to sight see or just | | | | sand beaches that go on for miles and are |
| relax. If you have the luxury, book tee times late | | | | completely unspoiled. |