Vacation Guide

Scotland golf vacation guide : Transport

Whether it is the issue of actually getting to Scotland or the issue of travelling from place to place within Scotland, transport is an integral part of all golfing vacations. The following section is divided into two areas.

Travelling to Scotland deals with international access to Scotland. Information and links to all major airports and airlines are provided for your benefit.

Travelling within Scotland deals with internal transport. Self-drive, chauffeur-driven, coach and helicopter transport, are each examined.

TRAVELLING TO SCOTLAND

The two main airports in Scotland are Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport, while the other international airports are located at Prestwick, Inverness and Aberdeen. Though Scotland is a relatively compact country, visitors must be sure to check which airport best suits their planned itinerary. Direct International flights may fly into one airport and not another, while one must often arrange connecting flights to particular destinations within Scotland. Heathrow Airport in London is often used as a preliminary entry point to the United Kingdom, so a link is also provided for Heathrow.

To and from GLASGOW AIRPORT

Flight information can be accessed from the "Flight Timetable" section. Please be aware that you may have to get a connecting flight from another airport in the United Kingdom depending upon your departure airport.

To and from EDINBURGH AIRPORT

To and from ABERDEEN AIRPORT

To and from HEATHROW AIRPORT (London, England)

Flight information can be accessed from the "Flight Timetable" section. Please be aware that in flying to Heathrow Airport in London, you will have to get a connecting flight to your destination airport in Scotland.

For information on various airlines programming Scotland and their schedules, please select from the below list as required.

TRAVELLING WITHIN SCOTLAND

Getting to Scotland is of course all very well and good but it is surprising how many visiting golfers arrive on Scottish shores without adequate plans made regarding optimum modes of transport. Issues such as long haul drives, comfort, spaciousness, travelling times and luggage room are often overlooked and are always crucial to one's enjoyment of a golfing vacation.

In association with our experts in the Scottish golf travel industry, we are proud to present the following range of transport options for the visiting golfer. Please note that optimum levels of comfort and space are taken into account in the following options. And please also be aware that driving in Scotland is on the left-hand side of the road.

1. SELF DRIVE OPTION

In taking the self-drive option when travelling and golfing in Scotland, we strongly recommend that you do not attempt to fit too many people and luggage into what may appear to be a suitable mode of transport. A vehicle that may claim to cater for four people is not at all suited to four golfers and their clubs.

We would recommend that the golf traveller in Scotland choose between two principle self-drive options - the Midsize Car Model and the People Carrier. While smaller car models are available, they tend not to be at all suited to the demands and requirements of a golfing trip.

Midsize Model (2/3 golfers)

The following vehicles are ideal for two or three golfers and represent only a sample selection of what is available and suitable for a self-drive golf trip. The class rating of each vehicle (compact, intermediate, standard, premium, luxury) represents the Industry Standard Car Classification Code.

Class - Compact Wagon
Model - Opel Astra Estate or Similar
Specification - Manual Transmission, Stereo Radio / Cassette, 5-Door / 5 Seatbelts, Air Conditioning.

Class - Intermediate
Model - Opel Vectra or Similar
Specification - Manual or Automatic Transmission, Stereo Radio / Cassette, 5-Door / 5 Seatbelts, Air Conditioning.

Class - Standard
Model - Ford Mondeo or Similar
Specification - Manual or Automatic Transmission, Stereo Radio / Cassette, 5-Door / 5 Seatbelts, Air Conditioning.

Class - Premium
Model - Mercedes-Benz C180 or Similar
Specification - Automatic Transmission, Stereo Radio / Cassette, 5-Door / 5 Seatbelts, Air Conditioning.

Class - Luxury
Model - Mercedes-Benz E320 or Similar
Specification - Automatic Transmission, Stereo Radio / Cassette, 5-Door / 5 Seatbelts, Air Conditioning.

People Carrier (3/5 golfers) / Mini-Van (2/3 golfers)

For any group of three to five golfers, we strongly recommend a step up in space from the midsize models. People Carriers such as the Toyota Previa or similar vehicles, are perfect for groups of up to five golfers and are also ideal for smaller groups seeking that little bit of extra comfort. The Mini-Van such as the Volkswagen Sharan perfectly suits groups of up to three golfers and provides much more space than the midsize range and while groups of four can certainly be accommodated, comfort can often be compromised.

Model - Mini-Van, People Carrier (Toyota Previa) or Similar
Specification - Automatic Transmission, Stereo Radio / Cassette, 5-Door / 7 Seatbelts, Air Conditioning.

2. CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN OPTION

Self-drive golf vacations to Scotland are certainly a fantastic experience and while they are perfect for some, others prefer to choose the chauffeured option. Chauffeured transportation of course has many advantages over self-drive. Gone is any worry over travelling times, fatigue caused by longer journeys, directions and importantly, it means that one can sample one or two extra fine malt whiskies and not be concerned with a return drive.

An extensive range of vehicle options is available for the smaller or medium sized groups. Saloon models such as the Rover, Mercedes and Jaguar suit groups of two golfers, while chauffeured People Carriers are perfect for parties of up to four golfers and their clubs.

Golfing trips of course are often made in larger groups and in this case, for groups of six or more, it certainly makes sound sense to opt for a chauffeur driven vacation. One of a wide range of comfortable, luxurious coaches is appropriate for groups of varying sizes. Small coaches are ideal for parties from 4 to 12 golfers, midsize coaches are suited to groups from 12 to 20 people and large coaches are perfect to cater for parties of up to 35 golfers and their clubs.

3. HELICOPTER TRANSPORT

Depending on golfers' desired itinerary of courses, helicopter transfers are often the ideal (and only) solution. From a geographic standpoint and in order to fit in 36 holes of golf at two different venues in one day, it often makes an enormous amount of sense to consider this option.

With so many great golf courses to fit into what is sometimes a very limited time-span, helicopter transport enables travel from St. Andrews, Troon or Turnberry, for example, to Royal Dornoch and Nairn in the Scottish Highlands in a fraction of the time taken by road or rail. The remote links gems of Machrie and Macrihanish also become more accessible. And given the proximity of Northern Ireland's great links, including Royal Portrush and Royal County Down, it also permits a daily return from Scotland.

Transfers can be arranged for anything from small groups of four golfers to a corporate incentive party of over fifty people. Depending on the transportation requirements of each group, an appropriate helicopter can be arranged to suit specific needs. Seating capacity varies from craft to craft, with smaller helicopters seating up to five people and larger ones accommodating up to 26 golfers. Whatever your requirements though, one or more crafts stand by to make the otherwise impossible, distinctly possible.