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GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Ben Sims on April 28, 2023, 02:47:07 PM

Title: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ben Sims on April 28, 2023, 02:47:07 PM
Sorry, but I need some advice. I have a car rented for a weeklong trip to Nairn and Dunbar this summer. I really don’t need to be mobile once I get to the two towns I’m visiting, and it seems EDI to Nairn, then Nairn way back down to Dunbar, then Dunbar to EDI will cost less than 100GBP if I advance purchase, vs 800GBP for the rental car.


Thoughts?
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Sean_A on April 28, 2023, 03:34:28 PM
Are you solo with lots of time?

Ciao
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ben Sims on April 28, 2023, 03:43:19 PM
Are you solo with lots of time?

Ciao


Solo. Carry-on and golf bag. Travel days are travel days for the most part. I don’t have any tee times on those days.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Mark Pearce on April 28, 2023, 04:56:24 PM
Train.  Easy, no hassle, just as pretty.  Bit slower.  If you really don't need a car in the towns, the train is a no brainer.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Doug Bolls on April 28, 2023, 06:27:55 PM
My experience on the train was very nice.  We took the train from London Gatwick all the way to Luchers (sp?) for arrival in St. Andrews.  We rented a car in St. Andrews for a few days, and then took train back to London.  Went very well - and saved a good bit of money.
One American's experience.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: David_Tepper on April 28, 2023, 08:53:02 PM
Yes, the train probably makes sense assuming the places you are staying are within easy walking distance to the courses.

From Edinburgh the train will take you to central Inveress. From there you will need to change trains to go to Nairn. You could also look into taking a bus from Inverness to Nairn. My guess is the buses run more often than the trains. The train and bus stations in Inverness are just a few blocks away from each other.

Not sure if you will need to change trains in Edinburgh to get to Dunbar. Taking a bus out to Dunbar could again be an option.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Mike Worth on April 28, 2023, 09:06:49 PM
I did a 45 day trip last year using the same concept.


I was also alone and had plenty of time to get from place to place.


The best arrangement is when I took the train into a certain area and then rented a car. The best example is I took the train from Edinburgh to Leeds.  I then rented a car for about five days and played some great courses.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: archie_struthers on April 28, 2023, 09:51:30 PM
 :o ;D




Wow, I love these stories about golf and travel. You guys are my idol. 45 day trip with clubs, trains and the occasional automobile , well done Mike!  Pretty cool stuff guys , rave on.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: mike_beene on April 28, 2023, 11:39:15 PM
I know most people comfortably switch between left and right driving. I do not. I spend more time in semi panic. A vote for the train. I wish St. Andrews still had rail.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Sean_A on April 29, 2023, 03:49:03 AM
Are you solo with lots of time?

Ciao


Solo. Carry-on and golf bag. Travel days are travel days for the most part. I don’t have any tee times on those days.

Download the Trainline app. You can get a train from Edinburgh to Nairn for well under £100 return. The train also runs between Dunbar and Edinburgh.

I would check into getting a Vets railcard. I don't know if US military qualify or if its worth the fee for one trip, but it can't hurt to ask.

Ciao
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Niall C on April 29, 2023, 06:58:47 AM
Ben


As Sean says you should be able to get a return train ticket for well under £100 using one of the various online ticket-lines provided you pre-book and travel at off-peak times.


Buses might be a bit cheaper but not nearly as comfortable and you don't get the same views. Can I suggest you might want to take the train via Aberdeen as it will take you alongside a number of courses such as Carnoustie, Panmure, Monifieth and in the case of Stonehaven actually through the middle of the course. You can then travel via Inverness on the way back. Both take roughly the same time c.5 hours and are a nice way to travel.


Niall
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ben Sims on April 29, 2023, 11:19:45 AM
Any issues or things I need to know about golf travel bags on trains? Not much on the ScotRail website about them.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Sean_A on April 29, 2023, 12:30:20 PM
Any issues or things I need to know about golf travel bags on trains? Not much on the ScotRail website about them.


Shouldn't be an issue with golf gear etc. One piece of advice, try to book a seat near a luggage rack at the rear of train cars so you can keep an eye on your gear.


Ciao
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Mike Worth on April 29, 2023, 05:38:02 PM
Any issues or things I need to know about golf travel bags on trains? Not much on the ScotRail website about them.


Ditto the advice on trying to sit near the luggage area.  There is usually a luggage area at the end of each car for oversize baggage.  I also found a lack of information on the rail websites, but once I began using the trains to move about, I found it quite easy to move about.


I often booked first class. If you purchase the ticket early enough, it’s not a huge increase in price. I found the extra leg room and comfort and being able to quickly get to the luggage area to be helpful. 


Question, do you have a military affiliation? I saw another poster make reference to a veteran discount when answering one of your questions.


I am retired Army. I looked into the veteran discount via the Trainline app. I did not think it applied to me as the language was pretty specific to mean a UK  vet.

Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Niall C on April 30, 2023, 10:44:03 AM
Ben


I don't think there should be any issue with luggage on the train although I'm not sure that the carriages will necessary have the luggage racks that Mike and Sean refer to. Some don't, particularly if it is more a local train service rather than one direct from city to city. However even the local trains have gaps between seats where they back on to each other, that you can slip in luggage provided it's not too bulky.


Niall 
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: jeffwarne on April 30, 2023, 12:46:07 PM
Sorry, but I need some advice. I have a car rented for a weeklong trip to Nairn and Dunbar this summer. I really don’t need to be mobile once I get to the two towns I’m visiting, and it seems EDI to Nairn, then Nairn way back down to Dunbar, then Dunbar to EDI will cost less than 100GBP if I advance purchase, vs 800GBP for the rental car.


Thoughts?


What week are you going?
800 pounds for a car for one person?
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ben Sims on April 30, 2023, 01:21:20 PM
Sorry, but I need some advice. I have a car rented for a weeklong trip to Nairn and Dunbar this summer. I really don’t need to be mobile once I get to the two towns I’m visiting, and it seems EDI to Nairn, then Nairn way back down to Dunbar, then Dunbar to EDI will cost less than 100GBP if I advance purchase, vs 800GBP for the rental car.


Thoughts?


What week are you going?
800 pounds for a car for one person?


June 17-24


The reason it costs so much is 1) I wanted an auto. Stick is cool if I’m not remembering how to drive in the UK and 2) I got all the insurance since my American policy doesn’t cover rentals overseas.


I think it would’ve been like 480 without insurance and a manual n
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ken Moum on April 30, 2023, 03:32:30 PM
Ben, have you looked at the Arnold Clark's rentals? Based on Fergusons book it's the only place we've used for our trips.

Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Michael Whitaker on April 30, 2023, 05:22:17 PM
Ben - As you know, I've been spending four months in Scotland for a few summers now... always WITHOUT a vehicle during my stay! Don't worry about using public transportation to get around. Public transportation is plentiful, well organized, and extremely affordable. If you use trains, buses and taxis you will come out much cheaper than renting a car, although it's considerably less convenient. That's the tradeoff... there is less hassle renting than using public transport. Only you can decide which you prefer, but for an American, using public transportation is a bit of an adventure.


If you decide to rent a car, check if one of your credit cards offers rental insurance for bookings paid for exclusively on the card. American Express offers this, as does most VISA cards. I've never paid for the supplemental insurance in the UK when renting a car. The cards require you to refuse the "excess" coverage and pay for everything on their card. They then cover you if there are any issues during your trip. You can find details and instructions on the card's website, or you can call customer service from the number on the back of your card for advice. I've had a couple of fender benders in the past and the credit card coverage has always been excellent and smoothly handled.


Hope this helps.


Whit
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Max Prokopy on April 30, 2023, 09:56:02 PM
Yes, the train probably makes sense assuming the places you are staying are within easy walking distance to the courses.

From Edinburgh the train will take you to central Inveress. From there you will need to change trains to go to Nairn. You could also look into taking a bus from Inverness to Nairn. My guess is the buses run more often than the trains. The train and bus stations in Inverness are just a few blocks away from each other.



Tha's sound advice.  From my experience the buses were significantly more frequent and convenient. 


I was last there some time ago but in rural areas you could just ask the driver to pull over almost anywhere and they would.  I got a bus to drop me at Leadhills, which is a little 9-holer with nobody around and the highest teebox in Britain.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: jeffwarne on April 30, 2023, 10:16:31 PM
Ben - As you know, I've been spending four months in Scotland for a few summers now... always WITHOUT a vehicle during my stay! Don't worry about using public transportation to get around. Public transportation is plentiful, well organized, and extremely affordable. If you use trains, buses and taxis you will come out much cheaper than renting a car, although it's considerably less convenient. That's the tradeoff... there is less hassle renting than using public transport. Only you can decide which you prefer, but for an American, using public transportation is a bit of an adventure.


If you decide to rent a car, check if one of your credit cards offers rental insurance for bookings paid for exclusively on the card. American Express offers this, as does most VISA cards. I've never paid for the supplemental insurance in the UK when renting a car. The cards require you to refuse the "excess" coverage and pay for everything on their card. They then cover you if there are any issues during your trip. You can find details and instructions on the card's website, or you can call customer service from the number on the back of your card for advice. I've had a couple of fender benders in the past and the credit card coverage has always been excellent and smoothly handled.


Hope this helps.


Whit


This.
have NEVER bought supplemental coverage.
As Michael says. most Visas cover and Chase Saphire Preferred covers even Ireland, Jamaica and Isreal, which are excluded by most credit cards.


$392 for a comfortable economy car your exact dates all in via very reputable Enterprise at EDI(as noted Clark's can perhaps do better)
You're a pilot-pretty sure you can figure out a left hand manual in about 30 seconds.
You'll thank me when you have the freedom and flexibility to check out all the cool off the beaten tracks you could drive right by(or to) en route to where you're going.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: David_Tepper on April 30, 2023, 10:29:25 PM
Ben -

And speaking of Nairn and Dunbar, don't forget there is a 2nd course in Nairn called Nairn Dunbar. :)

https://nairndunbar.com/ (https://nairndunbar.com/)

It is not as pure a links as Nairn, but there are some pretty good holes there. Nairn GC is on the west side of town. Nairn Dunbar is on the east side.

DT
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: John Mayhugh on May 03, 2023, 11:53:32 AM
I'm going to Scotland in a couple of weeks. Paying about 400 quid for a midsize manual transmission car for a week (and relying on Amex for insurance). Wanted to get something larger but can't bring myself to spend nearly $2k for a week. UK rental car prices are not appealing right now. A bit better in London in Sept.

I actually considered using Turo, but my schedule is pretty tight and I didn't want to risk complications. It might be worth looking at as an alternative once you're settled in an area.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Bill Crane on May 03, 2023, 01:20:17 PM
David:      How close to Dornoch can you get by train?   Is it a train to Tain (mainly in the rain) and then bus or Taxi, Uber etc to Dornoch ?
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Adam Lawrence on May 03, 2023, 01:33:32 PM
Tain would be easiest. There used to be light rail to Dornoch, connecting with the main train line I think at Golspie -- it ran through the site now proposed for Coul Links, but it has been closed for many, many years.


I'd be utterly amazed if Uber operates in Sutherland.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: David_Tepper on May 03, 2023, 01:50:20 PM
Bill C. -

Adam is correct. Connecting in Inverness for a train to Tain is a close as you can get to Dornoch by rail. From there you would need a taxi or would have to walk 2-3 blocks to the High Street in Tain to catch the bus to Dornoch.

As I mentioned earlier, you can also take a bus from Inverness to Dornoch. The train and bus stations in Inverness are close together.

DT 

p.s. Looks like there are now 6 trains a day from Inverness to Tain:

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/train-times/inverness-to-tain (https://www.scotrail.co.uk/train-times/inverness-to-tain)
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ian Mackenzie on May 03, 2023, 03:36:08 PM
Why not just hitch-hike from place to place...?... ;D


The "R.O.I." on the rental car is a no-brainer when you factor in YOUR time and your total trip expense and your overall enjoyment.


"Travel days" as you cite basically trashes your stay in Scotland and relegates your ass to the whims of the railroad schedule.
Are you a college student...?... ;D


Dragging clubs and luggage around from town to town and course to course really will limit your ability to be spontaneaoius and take that extra hour and go play Boat of Garten or slide up to Dornocj area and play Brora or show up at RDGC and get on late in the pm.


Save some dough and get a cheap car with bare minimum insurance and drive yourself around.


Then again, if you dont want to drive a stick on the left side of the road, i get that...waiting in train and bus stations wins.


Also consider you need transports out and into EDI.


I bet that, all-in, a car is really not that much more expensive after cabs, buses, trains and the travel inconvenince that travelling like John Candy can create...;-)
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ben Sims on May 03, 2023, 05:45:17 PM
This has been very informative. Thanks to all.


Best info is the fact that credit cards have rental insurance as a benefit. I had no idea. So my rental will be covered by my USAA credit card. So I rebooked and got an automatic economy car for about half of what I was going to pay. That sort of  makes it a no brainer to keep the car now.


I would’ve enjoyed the adventure via public transportation. But being flexible and potentially visiting friends at Cabot Highlands is more important.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ian Mackenzie on May 03, 2023, 05:59:11 PM
This has been very informative. Thanks to all.


Best info is the fact that credit cards have rental insurance as a benefit. I had no idea. So my rental will be covered by my USAA credit card. So I rebooked and got an automatic economy car for about half of what I was going to pay. That sort of  makes it a no brainer to keep the car now.


I would’ve enjoyed the adventure via public transportation. But being flexible and potentially visiting friends at Cabot Highlands is more important.


Winner, Winner...Haggis Dinner...!!.... ;D
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: David_Tepper on May 03, 2023, 07:50:13 PM
Ben S. -

Since you now have a car I would encourage you to take an hour to drive over to Castle Stuart and have a look around. It is just a mile or two west of Inverness Airport and a mile or so off the A96 highway. Should not be more than a 20-25 minute drive from Nairn.

The view from the first tee up and down the Morary Firth is quite something, as is the view from the men's locker room. The chili in the dining room is pretty good too (or at least it used to be :) ). 

The construction of the Tom Doak designed 2nd course there should be well underway, although I don't know how much will be easy to see from the perimeter of the property.

DT   
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: jeffwarne on May 03, 2023, 08:40:19 PM
Are you solo with lots of time?

Ciao


Solo. Carry-on and golf bag. Travel days are travel days for the most part. I don’t have any tee times on those days.


Those "travel days"  now have the opportunity be your best days of the trip.
Soooo many gems to be had spontaneously, the Grampian Coast is now in play.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Sean_A on May 04, 2023, 03:26:37 AM
Are you solo with lots of time?

Ciao


Solo. Carry-on and golf bag. Travel days are travel days for the most part. I don’t have any tee times on those days.


Those "travel days"  now have the opportunity be your best days of the trip.
Soooo many gems to be had spontaneously, the Grampian Coast is now in play.

Ut oh, I fear a Jeff Sherman Warne death march is in Ben's future. 😎

Ciao
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Mark Pearce on May 05, 2023, 03:55:44 AM
Are you solo with lots of time?

Ciao


Solo. Carry-on and golf bag. Travel days are travel days for the most part. I don’t have any tee times on those days.


Those "travel days"  now have the opportunity be your best days of the trip.
Soooo many gems to be had spontaneously, the Grampian Coast is now in play.
This.  So depressing to read opinions that suggest that time travelling round a foreign country is "trash time".  Public transport around the Highlands gives you a chance to see some spectacular scenery and towns that mere golf tourism doesn't.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Niall C on May 05, 2023, 07:22:23 AM
There's no doubt that having a car gives more freedom of movement and allows the potential to see a lot more, and not just golf. However, 4 or 5 hours in a car navigating unfamiliar roads, with different rules and driving on the opposite side of the road doesn't sound the most relaxing way to travel so there is a trade off and perhaps not quite the no-brainer some make out.


I was speaking to a pal recently about holidays and it occurred to me that in the last 20 odd years pretty well every trip I've taken has been golf related. As much as I love my golf I do wish I'd spent a bit more time on some of this trips soaking up what else the place had to offer away from the golf course. In fact in a few weeks time I'm changing job and intending to take a 2/3 week break before I start. I'm currently planning a trip to Spain, using Barcelona as a base and taking the train through to Madrid for a couple of days and perhaps Seville. For once I've no thoughts of taking clubs and quite looking forward to it.


Ben


Re Castle Stuart - as David says the clubhouse is lovely and if going that way worth a visit. However the last time I was there they had a friendly man at the entrance checking if you were golfing and if not then sorry, no entry. You may therefore want to drop Stuart McColm, the General Manager, a polite email beforehand or see if one of the Renaissance crew can tee it up for you (assuming you're not playing that is).


Niall



 
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: David_Tepper on May 05, 2023, 08:56:35 AM
"However the last time I was there they had a friendly man at the entrance checking if you were golfing and if not then sorry, no entry."

Niall -

I find this quite surprising. How long ago was this? Before or after the Cabot group acquired the property?

I am heading to the bonnie Highlands next week and will swing by to see if that is the current policy.

DT 
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Niall C on May 05, 2023, 09:33:33 AM
David


I think that was 2021 or perhaps year before. Dodgy memory. It's also not exactly true that we weren't allowed into the clubhouse as they were happy for us to go into the pro shop to spend some money but we weren't allowed further. They were very polite about it but at the same time it did make us feel a bit like interlopers so going out to have a look at the course was a bit awkward.


Niall
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: David_Tepper on May 05, 2023, 10:13:02 AM
Niall -

That makes a little more sense. Your initial comment made it sound like you were not allowed on to the property at all, even to drive into the parking. I can understand why they would not want non-golfer out on the course.

DT
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Niall C on May 05, 2023, 10:29:17 AM
David


There's no one to stop you when you drive in but someone at the front door to "meet and greet". Very polite and very friendly but a most definite "f*** off". I was with Tony Muldoon so that might explain it  ;)


Niall
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Kalen Braley on May 05, 2023, 12:00:46 PM
I suspect Niall makes a valid point.

In the US, we're used to driving on relatively safe and wide open divided highways to get where we want fairly quickly.  We can set the cruise control to 80 MPH, pop on your favorite tunes, and actually enjoy the scenery along the way.

I couldn't imagine creeping along for hours and hours thou on a narrow highway in the UK which from what I've heard in many cases barely qualifies as two lanes in each direction. That doesn't sound relaxing at all, perhaps when I was younger it would have been fun & sporting, but not at my age.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Tony_Muldoon on May 05, 2023, 03:56:58 PM
David


There's no one to stop you when you drive in but someone at the front door to "meet and greet". Very polite and very friendly but a most definite "f*** off". I was with Tony Muldoon so that might explain it  ;)


Niall


Yeah but it was who I was with that really explains it!
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Tony_Muldoon on May 05, 2023, 03:59:03 PM
Note there is confusion going on in this thread?


People are telling Ben to go to Castle Stuart, which is now called Cabot Highlands and he has plans to meet friends there.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: David_Tepper on May 05, 2023, 04:26:14 PM
Tony  -

You are correct. Castle Stuart is now called Cabot Highlands. I wonder if the road signs have been changed to the new name yet.

I will find out a week from tomorrow. :)

DT   
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ken Moum on May 05, 2023, 05:23:50 PM
I suspect Niall makes a valid point.

In the US, we're used to driving on relatively safe and wide open divided highways to get where we want fairly quickly.  We can set the cruise control to 80 MPH, pop on your favorite tunes, and actually enjoy the scenery along the way.

I couldn't imagine creeping along for hours and hours thou on a narrow highway in the UK which from what I've heard in many cases barely qualifies as two lanes in each direction. That doesn't sound relaxing at all, perhaps when I was younger it would have been fun & sporting, but not at my age.


Kalen, my wife and I are making our fifth trip in Aug and Sept, and we'll be driving a little white van as we have the last two trips. For a two-month deal it only makes sense.


Gives us a place to store all our crap...we'll be getting bicycles of some kind as we don't even attempt to play every day.


Re. the driving,  we always say the screaming from the passenger seat usually stops by the second week.


One tip for dealing with being on the right side of the road is to check where you are in relation to the center line by looking in the driver's side mirror.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ben Sims on June 10, 2023, 12:35:03 PM
Well, United graciously gave me a week’s notice that my flight from the east coast to EDI was cancelled and rebooked me Denver-Frankfurt-Edinburgh.


The Frankfurt connect is 1hr35min. Is that enough time to make the connect? And is there a decent chance I won’t get my clubs in EDI?


This was all so much easier when I had a C17 at my disposal.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: David_Tepper on June 10, 2023, 01:01:51 PM
"People are telling Ben to go to Castle Stuart, which is now called Cabot Highlands and he has plans to meet friends there."

Tony M. -

As of Thursday afternoon, the road signs on the A96 highway and by Inverness Airport still identify the property as Castle Stuart. :)

Ben S. -

The odds are good you will make the connection in Frankfurt. The odds about your clubs making the connection are not quite as good. :(

DT
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ben Sims on June 10, 2023, 01:08:13 PM
"People are telling Ben to go to Castle Stuart, which is now called Cabot Highlands and he has plans to meet friends there."

Tony M. -

As of Thursday afternoon, the road signs on the A96 highway and by Inverness Airport still identify the property as Castle Stuart. :)

Ben S. -

The odds are good you will make the connection in Frankfurt. The odds about your clubs making the connection are not quite as good. :(

DT


This is the advice I was afraid of. United have me the ancillary option of flying direct to London and then I could take train up. Extra money and time but likely I would get clubs.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: David_Tepper on June 10, 2023, 01:25:34 PM
Ben -

I was just in Dornoch for almost 4 weeks. I talked to a guy traveling from Vancouver, BC to Dornoch and a father/son traveling from JFK/NYC to Dornoch who had their clubs lost/delayed en route.

Another option is to send your clubs ahead via Shipsticks or a similar service. 

DT
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Mike Worth on June 10, 2023, 01:45:02 PM
"People are telling Ben to go to Castle Stuart, which is now called Cabot Highlands and he has plans to meet friends there."

Tony M. -

As of Thursday afternoon, the road signs on the A96 highway and by Inverness Airport still identify the property as Castle Stuart. :)

Ben S. -

The odds are good you will make the connection in Frankfurt. The odds about your clubs making the connection are not quite as good. :(

DT


This is the advice I was afraid of. United have me the ancillary option of flying direct to London and then I could take train up. Extra money and time but likely I would get clubs.


I have to not agree with this advice. 90 minutes is plenty of time for your clubs to make the transfer.


I have a part-time roommate at my house in NJ, he was a friend from Afghanistan, and he’s gone on since then to become a First Officer for United (he’s using my NJ place as a crash pad, while he builds his net worth and pays off flight school loans.). He’s also a dual US/UK citizen

He’s flying back from somewhere in Europe today (I think Edinburgh actually), so I can’t speak with him directly. But previous conversations with him is that 90 mins is fine.  I ask him about this stuff all the time because I’m always concerned my clubs won’t make it.


The one thing he would say if he was in this thread is to avoid Heathrow at all costs.  The ground crews are insufficiently staffed. You would stand a chance of losing your clubs there or a lengthy delay with luggage if you fly into Heathrow.


In fact, my roommate, Alex has been flying the route from Newark to EDI a lot lately though he says he’s not senior enough to get on flight 36 which is the better flight


I think I’ve asked you this before do you have a military background? I also enjoy the certainty of seeing my golf clubs, palletized in the middle of a C-17 (or a KC – 135). Nothing beats the feeling of eyes on your luggage.


That said I have a horror story where our Air Force misplaced my bag in 2013 coming from Qatar to Bagram. They gave my bag “special” handling, which resulted in it being left in the middle of the cargo bay.  Had I not hitched a ride on the back of a forklift at 3 AM right after we landed, the bag would’ve gone onto Kyrgyzstan.






Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Ben Sims on June 10, 2023, 02:07:58 PM
"People are telling Ben to go to Castle Stuart, which is now called Cabot Highlands and he has plans to meet friends there."

Tony M. -

As of Thursday afternoon, the road signs on the A96 highway and by Inverness Airport still identify the property as Castle Stuart. :)

Ben S. -

The odds are good you will make the connection in Frankfurt. The odds about your clubs making the connection are not quite as good. :(

DT


This is the advice I was afraid of. United have me the ancillary option of flying direct to London and then I could take train up. Extra money and time but likely I would get clubs.


I have to not agree with this advice. 90 minutes is plenty of time for your clubs to make the transfer.


I have a part-time roommate at my house in NJ, he was a friend from Afghanistan, and he’s gone on since then to become a First Officer for United (he’s using my NJ place as a crash pad, while he builds his net worth and pays off flight school loans.). He’s also a dual US/UK citizen

He’s flying back from somewhere in Europe today (I think Edinburgh actually), so I can’t speak with him directly. But previous conversations with him is that 90 mins is fine.  I ask him about this stuff all the time because I’m always concerned my clubs won’t make it.


The one thing he would say if he was in this thread is to avoid Heathrow at all costs.  The ground crews are insufficiently staffed. You would stand a chance of losing your clubs there or a lengthy delay with luggage if you fly into Heathrow.


In fact, my roommate, Alex has been flying the route from Newark to EDI a lot lately though he says he’s not senior enough to get on flight 36 which is the better flight


I think I’ve asked you this before do you have a military background? I also enjoy the certainty of seeing my golf clubs, palletized in the middle of a C-17 (or a KC – 135). Nothing beats the feeling of eyes on your luggage.


That said I have a horror story where our Air Force misplaced my bag in 2013 coming from Qatar to Bagram. They gave my bag “special” handling, which resulted in it being left in the middle of the cargo bay.  Had I not hitched a ride on the back of a forklift at 3 AM right after we landed, the bag would’ve gone onto Kyrgyzstan.


Mike,


Yeah I flew C17s in the USAF for awhile. I’m now competing with United at work, but happy to use their service for travel when needed. In this particular case they boned me, but that’s not uncommon in the industry at the moment. We all aren’t so great post-Covid.


The 90 minute connect in Frankfurt scares me cause the rebooking is United to Frankfurt and Lufthansa to EDI. If the doubts don’t make it I’ll be begging the pro shop at Nairn for sticks on my first time there. Not something I want to do at all.


The guaranteed way for clubs at this juncture is either ship sticks or fly direct heathrow and grab my clubs and take the train.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Daryl David on June 10, 2023, 02:15:54 PM
Use ship sticks. Your clubs will will be waiting for you in Edinburgh and you will feel no stress even if you miss the connection.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Mike Worth on June 10, 2023, 02:33:23 PM
The only other thing I would suggest is buying an apple AirTag. It will at least give you the comfort of knowing exactly where your luggage is


On my 38 day trip to Europe and Scotland and Ireland last year I ended up taking six airplanes (includes layovers), including a KC-135 from Mildenhall to McGuire.


Admittedly, I was traveling a little bit off-season late August through early October, but seeing the AirTag every time I landed made me feel good
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: David_Tepper on June 11, 2023, 02:05:15 AM
Ben S. -

To clarify, all I am saying is the odds of you making your connection in Frankfurt (say 90%) are greater than your clubs making the connection (say 70%). I am not predicting your clubs will be lost/delayed.

If need be I am quite sure you will be able to rent a set of clubs at Nairn or wherever you are playing for the first day or two.

Good luck.

DT



   
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: JohnVDB on June 11, 2023, 01:34:04 PM
David:      How close to Dornoch can you get by train?   Is it a train to Tain (mainly in the rain) and then bus or Taxi, Uber etc to Dornoch ?


Train to Tain, the. Bus or taxi to Dornoch. You could also get the bus from Inverness directly to Dornoch. The bus station is right next to the train station.  Might work better for a connection.


I’ve always rented a car since I’m in Dornoch for long periods and getting around from Dornoch is not easy without one. I never get the insurance either as I use my AMEX Platinum card. It’s not cheap but I like the flexibility.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Stewart Abramson on June 11, 2023, 08:12:41 PM

This is the advice I was afraid of. United have me the ancillary option of flying direct to London and then I could take train up. Extra money and time but likely I would get clubs.


Since your first round is at Nairn, have you considered flying to Heathrow and then connecting to Inverness? I've done that a couple times and haven't missed a connection or clubs, but it was with British Air
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: JohnVDB on June 11, 2023, 09:08:33 PM
I fly that route that every time I come over.  Another choice is KLM into Amsterdam and then to Inverness.
Title: Re: OT-Scotland Travel
Post by: Garland Bayley on June 11, 2023, 09:31:45 PM
Mistaken post.