SCOTLAND’S GOLF COAST IS EASY TO GET TO IF YOU TAKE THE FERRY.
In recent years, Scotland’s Golf Coast has partnered with hotels and golf courses in the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. Heading along the coast to Newcastle, the partner regions are a natural extension to East Lothian. The Gateway to Scotland, the terrain, dunes, natural links and coastal land boast some of the best value golf courses in England. Combined with East Lothian’s 21 courses, it is an impressive golf destination.
Easy access if you take the ferry!
DFDS provides an Amsterdam to Newcastle route, opening Scotland’s Golf Coast to the Benelux, German and French golfers.
Promoting the coast from Newcastle to Edinburgh enables Scotland’s Golf Coast to talk about a variety of golf trip. Extending the destination to include the north-east of England, helps us appeal to European golfers, aswell of those driving from the Midlands and north of England. With European golfers in mind, the ease of taking the car on the ferry is proving increasingly popular.
The Perfect Itinerary
Why not book the following –
Wednesday – After a morning of work, head to the port. Outbound, the ferry leaves Amsterdam at 17:00, arriving in Newcastle at 09:45 the following morning. With restaurants, bars and live music on board, unlimited luggage, a comfortable bed, and your own car, there are many positives.
Thursday – Breakfast, refreshed and ready for golf, it seems right to head straight to the course. Dunstanburgh Golf Club is only an hour from the ferry terminal. A spectacular links golf course that hugs the beach, the historic 14th century castle looms over the 13th green. A challenging course if the elements are against you, but opportunities to score, if not.
Another short drive takes you to the pretty seaside town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. A beautiful setting, with plenty of places to eat and drink. The Rob Roy’s self-check-in will have you enjoying the hostelries in no time.
Friday – After a great night’s sleep, it’s time to drive up the road to Dunbar. With two 18 hole courses in the town, it makes complete sense to play both. Dunbar and Winterfield are five minutes from each other, so it’s easy to get from one to the other. Both hug the water, with fantastic views out to the Bass Rock and the North Sea. You’ll require your best links golf for this day of golf.
There is a choice to be made on Friday night. Stay in Dunbar and enjoy the award-winning 1902 Grill at the Dunmuir Hotel, or a more relaxed self-catering feel at the Dolphin Inn. Or, head up the road to North Berwick where the No12 Bistro is great for a central pint, and Lorena’s famous breakfast at Seaholm is a culinary delight.
Saturday – Whether you have stayed in Dunbar or North Berwick, the East Lothian welcome will have you in high spirits. Having played three of Scotland’s Golf Coast’s courses, there are 22 more to choose from.
Yesterday’s 36 holes might have made you a little tired, so only 27 today. First stop is the links gem of Kilspindie. A shorter course, you will still need all the shots. Holes two to four skirt the Forth and can define your round.
Established in 1894, Kilspindie is a traditional links experience. Keeping history in mind, playing the Old Course of Musselburgh Links, the oldest golf course in the world, is a box ticker. That’s five of the 25 played.
For your final night, there is the option to stay in North Berwick or Dunbar for another night. All the 21 East Lothian golf courses are within easy reach of each other. Between Musselburgh Links and Dunbar, it’s only 30 minutes. Reassuringly too, the journey back to Newcastle is only a couple of hours.
If not staying in North Berwick or Dunbar for a second night, Garleton Lodge can provide superb comfort and a special 360-degree view of the region.
Sunday – There is a 17:00 ferry to catch today, but that gives you plenty of time for more. The beauty of having your own car, there are no airports to negotiate, so there is more time in the day. There are a few parkland options to mix up the golf experience, with Royal Musselburgh, The Musselburgh and the 9-holes of Gifford all a stone’s throw from Garleton Lodge.
If heading back down the A1 to Newcastle, James Braid’s Goswick has dunes to challenge the best. Once across the train track, there will be a relaxed and friendly welcome, as you look out onto holes crafted by Mother Nature. The new 7thhole is receiving much praise and will help Goswick move further up the rankings.
So Many Golf Trip Options
In a little over an hour, you will be back driving onto the ferry and returning to Amsterdam. Arrival time is just after 09:00, allowing you plenty of time to travel home to get the clubs cleaned, and to prepare for a day of work.
There are many ways that a golf trip can be created from the Scottish Borders and Northumberland courses. You can stay in Berwick-upon-Tweed for three nights and play Bamburgh Castle and Eyemouth in addition to Dunstanburgh Castle and Goswick. Alternatively, play a golf course on the way up to East Lothian, and on the way back down. Our regions combine to become one of the best golf destinations in the world.