St. Andrews & North Berwick – History & Tradition

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    At a Glance
    • Where & What: East Coast of Scotland - 8 Days & 7 Nights - Self Drive or Chauffeured Tour
    • Golf Courses: St. Andrews Castle, New & Old Courses, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, North Berwick & Gullane No.1
    • Hotels: Stay Four Nights at Rusacks & Two Nights at The Marine Hotel
    Overview

    This itinerary combines St. Andrews, the “Home of Golf”, with North Berwick, just east of Edinburgh and rich in great traditional championship links golf. The courses in both locations are within easy reach so that after a great day on the links you are only minutes away from the fun and atmosphere of some wonderful Scottish pubs and restaurants. You are also within 40-minutes of the City of Edinburgh, well worth a visit!

    Day by Day

    Day 1 Arrive in Scotland & St. Andrews

    Pick up your rental vehicle or meet your driver guide. Drive to St. Andrews for a 4-night stay at Rusacks Hotel. The Rusacks Hotel in St. Andrews overlooks the first and 18th holes of the world-renowned Old Course. Today, play a round on St. Andrews Castle Course.

    Day 2Golf at St. Andrews New Course

    Founded in 1895 and designed by Tom Morris, the New Course is played on the same stretch of revered links-land as the famed Old Course. A bit longer and requiring slightly more precision, it is as challenging as the Old Course.

    Day 3Golf at Carnoustie

    Golfing legend Walter Hagen considered Carnoustie the greatest course in the British Isles with the toughest finish in golf. I am sure Padraig Harrington would agree! The unfriendly burns, the relentless winds, and the sheer length of the course test the abilities of all golfers.

    Day 4Golf at St. Andrews Old Course

    Long considered the home of golf. All the Greats have competed on this hallowed turf, where golf has been played for over 400 years. It is every golfer’s dream to stand on the first tee at St. Andrews Old Course at least once! It was founded in the 16th century, and is the oldest and most iconic golf course in the world.

    Day 5Golf at Kingsbarns

    Today play Golf at Kingsbarns. Located on the North Sea coast only six miles from St. Andrews, Kingsbarns is without doubt one of the most breath-taking links courses ever developed. After lunch you’ll depart for North Berwick, where you’ll check into the Marine Hotel for a 3 night stay. The picturesque Marine Hotel overlooks North Berwick’s championship links.

    Day 6Golf at North Berwick

    Today you will play North Berwick. There is probably more that is traditional in golf at North Berwick Golf Club than any other course in Scotland. You will be treated to exhilarating shot opportunities along the ocean, over stone walls and some very interesting blind shots. North Berwick is an experience not to be missed.

    Day 7Golf at Gullane No.1 Course

    The eighteen holes of Gullane No.1 Course were established in 1884. The well-maintained greens, links grasses, numerous bunkers and sea breezes make a unique challenge for the serious golfer. The world famous view from the highest point of the Course on the 7th tee, is a panoramic vista stretching to Edinburgh, Fife and way beyond.

    Day 8Transfer to the airport for your return flight home

    Drive to Edinburgh airport where you will return your rental vehicle, or say goodbye to your driver guide. Prepare to board your return flight home.

    Inclusions

    Scotland Home of Golf Inclusions

    • Meet & greet by Destinations Golf.
    • Golfers packing list & recommendations.
    • 6-Rounds of championship golf.
    • Guaranteed tee-times.
    • 7-Nights deluxe hotel accommodations & breakfast daily.
    • Self-Drive van or upgrade to Driver Guide.
    • Your Personalized Trip Portfolio on our Destinations Golf Travel App.
    • Recommendations for dining, sightseeing, shopping & entertainment.
    • Enjoy our Concierge Services in Scotland while travelling.

    Not Included:

    • Caddies: request at time of booking
    • Gratuities
    • Travel Insurance
    • Items of a personal nature

    Price:

    • Request a complimentary quote
    Hotels

    Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews, UK

    The 4 star Rusacks Hotel is within a sand wedge of the 18th hole of the famous Old Course . Stylishly remodeled with a golfing theme , Rusacks Hotel offers luxurious accommodation occupied by some of the great names in the games history . Their award-winning Rocca Bar & Grill serves fine food and drink against a backdrop of the world’s oldest golf course . Magnificent views out to sea take in St. Andrews’ West Sands, immortalized in the Oscar-winning movie ‘Chariots of Fire’ . Rusacks is unquestionably Scotland’s greatest golfing hotel. You can also get a great meal at the ‘One Under’ gastro pub – and they even have their very own sophisticated champagne and whisky bar, ‘R Bar’ – the perfect place to relax and unwind with friends.

    The Marine Hotel, North Berwick, UK

    The Marine Hotel & Spa in North Berwick is renowned for its beautiful coastal setting and glorious 19th century Victorian architecture . This North Berwick hotel is also home to the award-winning John Paul at the Marine restaurant , where you can enjoy the finest Scottish cuisine in a very Scottish setting , with views of the Firth of Forth . The Marine Hotel & Spa has been chosen by The R&A as its Headquarters for the 2013 Open Championship. The Marine Hotel offers a luxurious experience in a beautiful coastal setting.

    Photos
    FAQ
    Ireland & UK - Frequently Asked Questions

    Passports & Visas

    To enter Ireland or UK, you need a valid passport. While e-passports are commonly used now, they are not a necessity to enter Ireland. UK citizens do not require a passport to enter Ireland, but carriers by air or sea require some form of identification with a photograph (usually either a passport or driving license with photo).

    Weather

    February to April: Highest temperatures range from 46 to 54°F
    May to July: Highest temperatures are between 64 and 68°F
    August to October: Highest temperatures hit between 64 and 57°F.
    Winter air temperatures inland normally reach 46°F, while the coldest months are January and February.
    April & September are considered the most pleasant and temperate months.

    Gratuities

    Gratuities and tips are discretionary and are not usually included in a bill. The general custom is to give 10% to serving staff in restaurants. Cafes might have a collection box at the till and bar staff are not tipped but you are free to offer “have one for yourself”.

    Gadgets

    Plugs in Ireland and UK are three-pronged and the electricity supply is also 230v. Adapters are widely available, and it’s a good idea to bring a couple for your various gadgets.

    Driving

    You will need either a full valid national driving license or an international driving permit. Cars in Ireland drive on the left-hand side of the road and both driver and passengers are required to wear seat belts at all times by law. Signposts in Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) areas are written in Irish (Gaelic) so familiarise yourself with both English and Irish spellings before you set off for those parts. Northern Ireland uses miles per hour, while the Republic of Ireland uses kilometers for signage and speed limits.

    Language

    English is commonly used throughout Ireland and UK, although Irish is the official language in Ireland, and there are Irish speaking areas called the Gaeltacht where it is the predominant language.

    What to Pack

    Bring a sweater, even in summer; waterproofs to accompany all outdoor activities; sunglasses; comfortable walking shoes and an umbrella. The weather is changeable so go for layers that you can put on or take off as the temperature changes.

    Currency

    In the Republic of Ireland, the official currency is the euro (€). One euro consists of 100 cent. In Northern Ireland, pound sterling is the local currency (£). One pound sterling consists of 100 pence.

    Emergency Services

    Police, Fire, Ambulance:
    Republic of Ireland, Telephone: 112 or 999
    Northern Ireland, Telephone: 999

    Time Zone

    Ireland functions on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During the summer it becomes GMT+1, that’s Irish Standard Time (IST) in the Republic and British Summer Time (BST) in Northern Ireland.
    For example, New York is Irish Time -5 hours & Los Angeles is Irish Time -8 hours.

    Vaccinations

    There are no vaccinations required to visit Ireland.