Although it might be the off season for golf travel across the pond, this is a particularly busy time of year for the H&B team.
The rapidly changing offerings for Golf and the Good Life, especially over the last few years, requires us to be extra vigilant, ensuring the restaurants, hotels, and other sites we recommend are suited to the high expectations of our travelers.
Once the travel season draws to a close, members of our team fan out across Great Britain and Ireland to have a look in on things and, if we’re lucky, discover a few new options in the process.
After spending nearly three months across the pond between them, three members of our team have recently returned with numerous new recommendations for the upcoming travel season.
Some of their favorites have been compiled into the following guide.
Our Concierge, Jenn Eckles, gets us started.
Just a day or two after their wedding, Jenn and her husband Mike departed on a whirlwind visit to Ireland and Scotland. Here’s what they discovered along the way…
Midleton & La Trattoria
After landing in Dublin, my (new) husband Mike and I set off toward our first stop: Old Head Golf Links.
Before arriving in Kinsale, we stopped in Midleton for lunch, but wound up staying quite a bit longer.
Midleton, of course, is the home to the Jameson Whiskey Experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour, and it’s easy to see why it’s a frequent stop for our members.
The real discovery, however, was Midleton itself. It’s a cool little town with plenty of shops to grab a last-minute gift on your way back to Dublin for your significant other back home.
We had lunch at La Trattoria and the seafood chowder might have been the best I’ve had anywhere. It was certainly the best of several renditions that I tried while across the pond.
This was basically our first stop on a very long trip, but the fact that it still stands out in my mind is a good indication of how much we enjoyed it.
Teelings Distillery
While in Dublin, many visitors gravitate to the Guinness Storehouse.
That’s understandable.. After all, it is the land of Guinness.
But if you’re looking for a unique taste of Ireland, my suggestion is the Teelings Distillery.
Not only was it the first distillery to open in Dublin in 125 years (it debuted in 2015), but it comes with a fun story.
The vault at Teeliings contains three barrels of whiskey. One is the first barrel produced at the distillery. The others were produced on the birthday of the founder’s daughters.
The daughters will each be given their barrel on their 21st birthday, which means they’ll be on display for visitors until 2037.
And speaking of visitors.. The tour and tasting was as delightful as the story of the vault.
Taste & Tour Belfast
Hands down, this was my favorite activity (aside from golf) in Ireland.
The tour began at the famous St. George’s Market. From there, we proceeded to eat and drink our way through the streets and history of Belfast.
In addition to our amazing guide, Maeve, and the delicious food and beverage offerings, what stood out to me was that all of the other people on the tour were from Northern Ireland.
Given that the country is roughly the size of Connecticut, it’s telling that the tour is popular with visitors who are relatively local.
If you don’t have time for the tour, but happen to be in Belfast Friday thru Sunday, the St. George’s Market is a must-visit.
Bert’s Bar at The Merchant
If it’s surprising to see a jazz bar on a list of things to do in Ireland, don’t worry… I was surprised too.
We randomly wandered into Bert’s on the final evening of our time in Ireland, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our entire trip.
The atmosphere was electric and the woman singing had a voice reminiscent of Amy Winehouse.
If you find yourself at The Merchant Hotel or Belfast in general, Bert’s is more than worthy of a visit.
Outdoor Pursuits at Turnberry
Something that I enjoy about these exploratory trips is when a place that I think I know surprises me.
While in Scotland, our visit to the Stables at Turnberry certainly fell into this category.
I was well aware that Turnberry offered activities like horseback riding and shooting, but with so much emphasis on the golf, dining, and accommodations at the resort, those activities rarely hit the top of my mind.
We had so much fun trying our hand at archery and clay pigeon shooting. In fact, there’s a good chance I’m hooked on the latter.
Even better, the Stables area is set to undergo a multi-million pound renovation, making these fun and unique offerings all the more enjoyable.
Next up, Daniel Jones, our Marketing & Communications Manager, shares his discoveries…
Cruit Island
Golf at the edge of the earth.
That’s really the only way to describe this 9-hole course in County Donegal.
I first heard of Cruit Island several years ago, but it wasn’t until Erik Anders Lang visited for an episode of Adventures in Golf that it went to the top of my “must-see” list.
It did not disappoint, and was unlike anything I’ve ever seen in a lifetime of golf.
The course is wild, quirky, and spectacular. The views are perhaps the finest in all of Ireland.
On the other hand, Cruit Island may not be ideal for everyone.
We played the course in what felt like a sunny hurricane. Without a caddie (which are available, but not in large numbers), the blind shots were a mystery and it was a tough walk. 9-holes definitely felt like 18 by the time we finished.
But if get a thrill out of discovering unique and dramatic courses and are up for the challenge, Cruit Island is worth the journey to the edge of the earth.
There is simply nothing else like it.
Black Isle Brewing
While driving from Dornoch down to Inverness, I passed a sign for Black Isle Brewing and promptly did a u-turn.
Although the brewery was a neat find, the real discovery was learning about their taproom in the Inverness city center.
Not only do they have about 20 local brews on tap, but they also have an extensive pizza menu.
I normally don’t expect much from brewery pizza, but the margherita was pretty great.
If you’re a fan of craft beer and are in search of an easy meal after your round of golf, the Black Isle taproom is a good addition to your itinerary.
Fairmont Windsor Park
Located just around the corner from His Majesty’s backyard, the Fairmont Windsor Park debuted earlier this year to high praise.
After seeing it first-hand, I can report that it’s entirely justified.
No expense was spared in the construction of the hotel, and it seems that every amenity you can possibly imagine is on-hand for your stay.
But it’s the service that stood out the most during my time at the Fairmont.
As an example, upon arrival I made my way to the lobby and a gentleman asked if I needed assistance. I asked for directions to the restaurant and we made the short walk together.
Along the way, I learned he was the General Manager of the hotel.
Having spent several years in the hotel business myself, this told me everything I needed to know about the service culture at the Fairmont… and it’s a very good thing.
Best of all… The hotel is just a short drive from Sunningdale, Swinley Forest, and the rest of the great golf courses in the London Heathland.
Connacht and Crolly Distilleries
For many years, the northwest corner of Ireland was lacking in terms of convenient whiskey distilleries for tastings and tours.
Thanks to the Connacht and Crolly Distilleries, those days are in the past.
The Connacht Distillery is located just minutes from the heart of Ballina and offers an insightful tour that’s capped with a visit to the charming Mullarkey Bar to enjoy their finest.
At Crolly Distillery, the building was once a carpet mill, then a doll factory, but now it’s a gleaming facility with an incredible tasting room.
Both are a welcome addition to our Good Life offerings in Northwest Ireland.
The Albyn
Found in the heart of Aberdeen’s West End, The Albyn has something for everyone.
The bar is perfect for post-round pints and a light bite while watching a game on the numerous screens.
Manchester United and Chelsea were playing the evening that I visited and The Albyn was clearly the place to be.
Meanwhile, the dining room offers modern Scottish fare in a refined but comfortable setting.
If the lobster mac and cheese is on the menu, it comes with my personal stamp of approval.
Castle Stuart Par-3 Course
The new par-3 course at Castle Stuart is a perfect example of the best just getting better.
My colleague, Connor Evers, and I played the par-3 after our round on the “big” course and as the sun faded over the hills of The Highlands.
The holes are all less than 100 yards, and the imaginative golfer could use everything from 6-iron to putter off the tees.
It was, without question, the most fun I’ve had on a golf course in a very long time.
Simply put… If you don’t play the par-3 course during your visit to Castle Stuart, you might be doing it wrong.
Finally, Connor Evers, PGA and H&B Expedition Planning Manager, shares some of his favorite finds during his time across the pond.
Rosapenna, St. Patrick’s Links
When I was planning this trip over, the double-underlined, bold font place at the top of my list was Rosapenna, St. Patrick’s Links.
Since its debut in 2021, the Tom Doak design has piqued the curiosity of H&B travelers. It also jumped straight onto the GOLF Top 100 in the world list.
I can confidently say that it lived up to expectations.
The course was incredibly fun from tee to green. The greens themselves were surprisingly tame compared to other Tom Doak designs that I’ve played.
Because it was once home to 36-holes, the scale of St. Patrick’s is hard to capture in words. Everything from the views to the dunes to the bunkers is big and bold.
I found the course to be in exceptional condition, considering it’s less than two years old. And it will only get better as time goes on.
Simply put… Believe the hype. If the Rosapenna Resort and St. Patrick’s Links aren’t already on your list, they should be.
Dundonald Links Lodges
Near the end of 2021, Dundonald Links completed an impressive expansion.
The £25 million project introduced 18 multi-bedroom lodges to the property, as well as a new clubhouse.
The 2, 4, and 6 bedroom lodges feature all of the comforts required by the modern golf traveler, with the added convenience of a full kitchen and living room.
But that doesn’t mean you’ll need to cook while at Dundonald. The Lodges are just steps away from the clubhouse and its contemporary fine dining restaurant, The Canny Crow.
For groups that may desire a little seclusion, the lodges at Dundonald Links are a great addition to the accommodation offerings in Ayrshire.
Marine & Lawn Hotels
Over the last few years, the Marine & Lawn family of hotels has made an incredible mark on golf accommodations across the pond.
What started with the revitalized Rusacks St. Andrews carried on this year at the Marine North Berwick and the Marine Troon.
The Slieve Donard is now set for a thorough reimagination, and their latest acquisition – the Dornoch Station – is already under a sea of scaffolding.
During this trip, I stayed at every Marine & Lawn property currently operating, and laid eyes on the Dornoch Station as I played the famous links next door.
Every stay confirmed what we already knew to be true from the transformation of the Rusacks…
They’re an outstanding choice in each of their respective locations.
The Dome Edinburgh
While on a walking tour of Edinburgh with our wonderful Blue Badge guide, Davina Young, I asked if she had a recommendation for dinner and her reply was quick…
“Oh you must visit The Dome.”
Upon arriving, it seemed like Davina had sent us to some sort of government building.
The stone columns felt more like the Department of Treasury than an award-winning restaurant.
I later learned that the building dates to the 1840’s and was once the home of the Royal Bank of Scotland, thus the bureaucratic exterior.
But once inside, I got it…
The Dome might be the most stunning restaurant I’ve ever visited. It’s truly gorgeous and the cuisine matches the setting for quality.
By the end of the meal, it was clear that Davina was right… You must visit The Dome.
Mara at Links House
Just steps from the 1st tee at Royal Dornoch, Mara is the fine dining restaurant for the Links House.
The restaurant was originally supposed to open in early 2020, but the pandemic delayed those plans until 2021.
It was absolutely worth the wait.
The mission at Mara is to showcase the bounty provided by the sea and land of The Highlands.
In turn, the menu is based around the freshest ingredients that you’re likely to find in any restaurant.
When paired with the incredible service at the Links House, the result is the finest dining experience in The Highlands and possibly all of Scotland.
Our free guide includes over 40 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in Scotland.
To continue planning your golf trip to Scotland, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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