Soly and TC are joined by our friend Jim Hartsell to discuss his new book “A Round of Scottish Courses” and his travels to Scotland to explore the hidden gem courses along the western coast.
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Love this. Just got back from two weeks in Scotland busy missed this section of the country. Will use this pod to help plan next trip. Great episode guys.
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Went to Arran to play Shiskine in 2022. Also played Turnberry, Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes on that trip. Still think about that trip a lot. If you can go, do it. An amazing trip, great golf, food, whisky and people.
Love to hear Jim’s passion for the west coast of Scotland and its hidden gems.
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This pod made me realize how much of Scotland there is to explore. Also made me realize that trips like this are probably 20+ years away with having a young kid and a wife who don’t want to take a golf specific trip. Lol
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I’m heading there in September, I’d love to hear about some of your favorite spots.
I think I only have recs for the Machrihanish / Campbeltown part of the trip as we stayed in Ayr this first night and ate in some non descript place, took the ferry to Arran first thing the next morning, played Shiskine and then got the ferry that same day to go to Machrihanish / Campbeltown but the things I recall:
- The clubhouse for Machrihanish was quite modern, right across the street from the first tee and had some decent food and beers
- There is a pub just up the road from the clubhouse called The Old Clubhouse. You need to have the haggis nachos from there
- We stayed in Campbeltown at The Craigard House Hotel for 2 nights and ate there both nights. I remember the food being solid but the whisky menu was vast and very good - https://www.craigard-house.co.uk/
- Just down the road from The Craigard is the Glen Scotia distillery. I hadn’t had Glen Scotia before this trip and it is a favourite now. Lots of affordable stuff on offer and from memory they had some good miniature sets that would be easy to take back to North America if you are from there. https://www.glenscotia.com/
I think that is about it. Enjoy!
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This pod encapsulated everything I love about golf in Scotland. The boys get it.
Also thrilled and delighted to hear my hometown of Lossiemouth get a mention. It’s onwards and upwards for golf on the Moray coast.
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Really enjoyed this podcast, and the passion those guys had for the lesser known tracks. As an East Coast based Scot, I’ve not spent a tonne of time on the West for golf. I was in Arran last year and managed to play Shiskine and Whiting Bay which were just incredible fun (though we did have ‘fun’ 40mph winds). Heading back to Arran next Spring to play all 95 holes on the island in a weekend with a few friends and can’t wait.
Can’t speak highly enough of the Machrie on Islay too, have played the Islay Open the last few years after getting invited by a friend and firmly one on the annual calendar now for hopefully years to come. The people I’ve met through that tournament are just excellent company to be around, just as Jim highlights.
This pod really drove home again how lucky I am to live where I do with access to all these places, just need to get my ass in gear and start ticking them off the list!
For Arran, I think the Drift Inn (Lamlash) is brilliant for lunch/dinner and a few pints. If you’re a seafood fan then check out Mara Fish Bar & Deli (Corrie, only open over spring/summer) and if you’re lucky enough to get a sunny day then go for a cocktail at Cladach Beach House, Arran’s very own beach bar next to Brodick.
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Looks fantasitc.
50th birthday next year and (definitely inspired by Jim and the NLU coverage) am in process of booking Machrihanish + Dunaverty; Machrihanish Dunes x 2; then over to Arran for Shiskine x 2.
Mid-May time and will pray for playable weather (anything other than a named storm). I’m dreaming of proper golf, fresh air and lots of fresh seafood.
Think we’ll stay in Campbeltown, looks like a bit going on.
I think this trip will be what golf should be about versus doing the (now crazily-priced) “bag tag” tour.
Live on Merseyside and only played golf in Scotland once; I’m hoping this is the start of many more golf trips exploring elsewhere.
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