Our flight from Philadelphia to Glasgow went without a hitch and we arrived in Scotland with all of our luggage and most importantly, our golf clubs! After picking up the rental car and immediately getting in the wrong lane pulling out of the rental car company lot, we were on our way to Ardrossan to catch the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry across to the isle of Arran. The first couple of roundabouts and the first encounters with cars coming the other way on the “wrong side” were a bit nerve racking, but we survived in fine fashion and arrived in Ardrossan without any issues. After a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up water, snacks, etc., we pulled into the ferry terminal at 8:30 AM. I had some hot tea and Derek had coffee while we waited for the ferry to arrive. The ferry was quite the ship and held several hundred people along with numerous cars, bikes, golf clubs, backpacks etc. Arran is quite the recreational destination and the ferry is the only way to get there. Plus the weather was postcard perfect and it seemed that everyone wanted out of the city and onto Arran. The ferry arrives in the town of Brodick which is situated right on the water and is very picturesque. After discovering that the main road across the island to Blackwaterfoot was closed, we took the southern route down the coast through the spectacularly situated town of Lamlash (pictured above) and across a “single track” road that cut through the mountains and came out on the far coast near Blackwaterfoot.
Between Lamlash and Blackwaterfoot
A single track road essentially means that the road is wide enough for one car, with a passing spot carved out of the hillside every couple hundred yards or so. After a few stops to take pictures, we eventually arrived at the Blackwaterfoot Inn around 12:00 noon. They were gracious enough to quickly finish our room and allow us to drop off our bags and change clothes before heading over to Shiskine Golf Club. Let me take this time to say that I am not sure there are many if any more beautiful spots on earth than the isle of Arran. Now we were there on a perfect, calm sunny day, but the pictures that I took could never do justice to the unwaveringly stark beauty of the landscape here.
Shiskine is a twelve hole course laid out right along the water and was originally designed by Willie Park and Old Tom Morris.? There are several unique holes, including #3 Crows Nest, which requires a 130 yard carry to a green set 75 yards up the side of a steep hill. The next hole then plays down off the cliff to a green set against the rocks with the sea and the Kintyre peninsula in the background. It was a fun round in a beautiful setting. What a way to start the trip!
3 comments:
Hey guys, this is so wonderful for you both! Is there a guest book there? I'm going to sound pretty ignorant here but is this a course that famous folks play on? Do they travel here for the notoriety of the name of the course or because it's hard so it's good practice here or both? Are you guys playing pretty well or is it harder than what you are used to? You guys look like you're enjoying yourselves. That's so funny you had to get used to the way they drive there. I bet you had some good laughs about that, once you got over the fright! :)
Scotland is incredibly beautiful. I enjoyed my visit there. We stayed in Holy Loch. Aunt Grace and Uncle Roy lived in nearby Dunoon and took us touring around there a good bit before we headed down to see Granny, Aunt Flo and Uncle Ted.
Love you and stay on your side of the road.
xxxooo
Shiskine isn't a famous course, just very scenic. Machrihanish is a very good course - one of top 100 courses in the world. Style of play here is different than at home - much more creativity required here, hence more fun IMO.
Single track? Something you both should be used to...It looks beautiful. I am glad you are having fun. Creative golf? Is this a new game? Love you both so much. tm
Post a Comment