	Where to play, where to stay, what to do all day

Aberdeen & Grampian Highlands

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Scottish Links Golf
a different game

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Aberdeen &
Grampian Highlands
Cruden Bay
Murcar
Royal Aberdeen
Stonehaven

Ayrshire
Royal Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick...

Just east of Edinburgh
Scotland's Golf Coast
North Berwick, Muirfield, Gullane...

Northern Highlands
Royal Dornoch, Brora, Nairn...

St. Andrews area

Other golf courses
Machrihanish, Pitlochry...

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Great links golf for the not-so-great golfer

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What others say

Castles, Distilleries and Golf Courses Galore

© 2009, Jafolla

...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 by the independent golfer.

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. When we're in the area, we stay at this elegant, exceptionally well-run B&B. You will enjoy owners Pat and George Booth and their hospitable dog Millie. Pat, past captain of Royal Aberdeen Ladies Golf Club, is always happy to share helpful info with her golfing, guests. The large Victorian house--beautifully decorated--is set within a farm, yet is well-located for all the golf courses in the Aberdeen area. Staying at Savock puts you directly between Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay, so the location is ideal.

In Foveran, Newburgh -- about 12 miles north of Aberdeen. Their attractive website will give you a sense of how special this place is. The Booths raise naturally-reared Aberdeen Angus beef cattle (possilby the finest in the world) and supply many top restaurants in Scotland. They also have an appealing store in their village where they sell their organically grown produce and superior beef and lamb. (www.foveranstore.com) A unique specialty of "The Store" is their own line of ready prepared meals, created by an award-winning chef! www.aboutscotland.com/aberdeen/savock.html is the B&B website.

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
(0)1358 761222 tel
www.brackenbrae14.freeserve.co.uk

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

Featured on our PLATINUM PAGE

The Marclliffe at Pitfodels, Aberdeen luxury hotel

*****The Marcliffe at Pitfodels .... 5 stars all the way... Member of "Small Luxury Hotels of The World" and absolutely the creme de la creme, with a guest list that includes Prince Charles, Mikhail Gorbachev, the Sultan of Brunei, Tom Watson and countless other VIPs. If you are looking for genuine Old World elegance in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, please see my write-up on Platinum Page.

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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. (0)1358 743249

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. (0)1651 842337.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.) Balmoral is not open when the royal family is in residence, usually the month of 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. There are 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 on you "must see" list.

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.

As I said, these are only a few samples. Be sure to check out www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk for more more details on the above as well as much more complete info in general. Aberdeenshire is a very appealing (and too often overlooked) area of Scotland. You'll find much here to enjoy.