Golf Scotland: On the Cheap

Okay, so you don't have the time or money to spend on a legitimate round of golf.

Well, here's a cheap alternative.

If you are traveling near Stirling. The Mrs. wants to see the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle, which are both fine places, but you want to get out and enjoy the fresh air and hit a few golf balls.

Well, take a bus to the University or drive depending on what type of transport you have and check out their par-3 course. You'll only need three clubs to play. A seven iron, a pitching wedge and a putter.

It is a good place to practice your short game. I was lucky enough to play the course every day as a student. It only cost me $4 a round...and well, if you behave yourself and it is not crowded, you can go around again and no one will get upset.

Stirling University has a very good Sports Management program and the course is used by the golf team as a practice facility. You can get lessons from the pro, but you'll have to ask in advance.

The scenery is quite nice. The Wallace Monument is always in view, the loch provides a beautiful backdrop and the mountain of Dumyat gives it a special touch as well.

The Scottish Premiere League team from Falkirk practices just off the 2nd tee. There are football pitches and practices facilities for the team. The locker rooms for the team are part of the golf course pro shop.

If you want pristine greens and fairways, this is not your golf course. If you want to have a relaxing hour of golf crammed into your travels, this is the perfect spot.

You'll meet real Scots, play a few difficult pitch shots and face some mean bunkers. You won't be disappointed by the scenery either.

The staff at the pro shop are very nice and will probably chat with you for a good ten minutes before you head out the door.

I enjoyed golfing there because I saved money, worked my irons and practiced my short game.

There is one very challenging hole #7. It is a narrow fairway, into a valley with a hole on a steep hill. It's probably a 150 yard shot to the pin. With just a seven iron, it is a tough shot.

The course won't open until April and the wait can feel like forever when the sunny days of March come around.

The greens are very slow and hairy. Don't expect world class greens. However, it is good training for the public courses in Scotland.

Most greens are the same throughout Scotland.

After the round there are numerous places to get a pint on campus. The MacRoberts Center probably is the closest. You can pick up the bus there as well. So go have a pint, then get on a bus and meet back up with the Mrs.

Cheers.

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day Three

Central Scotland: STIRLING & DUNKELD: Eventually we want to get to the highlands but we decided to take our time and stop in Central Scotland. It is a good half-way point and worth the stop. Once you get out of Edinburgh you will notice that life changes. It is more laid back and rural.

Stirling was our first stop and we went to the castle. It is a magnificient castle but a bit more stark and realistic than Edinburgh. You will have a different opinion of King James once you've stopped there. He was bit ruthless to say the least and once you see the beheading stone and drain, you'll know what I mean. For a guy who is responsible for the King James Version of the Bible, you have to wonder it is because he committed so many sins he needed to do something for the Almighty.

Stirling is a great place, I lived there for a year and if you go to the blog attatched to this site you can read enormous amounts about Stirling and see pictures as well. It is a place I cherish.

On our trip, we stayed the night in Dunkeld on our third day. We had a wonderfully old hotel to stay in. They served very good pub food on an outdoor patio. We had our first taste of prawn salad that night. I recommend the salmon anywhere you can get it.

Driving in the country is much easier than the city, so by day three you are starting to adapt to driving on the other side of the road.

Click below to watch the third day of our trip:

PUB CRAWL: Stirling

Have I a pub for you. No. 2 Baker Street in the heart of Stirling is one of my favorite pubs. Click on the picture to see the rating it gets from Carling Beer. You'll love it. Janis and I would go for a bowl of soup and a pint and not spend over 5 pounds. The crowd is very pleasant and on Sunday, the old ladies will sit comfortably near the windows chatting about their morning services or whatever they would chat about. Men would sit at tables and read their newspapers. Others would watch the telly.

My mother was afraid to go in when she was there, as there were people outside. Smokers and maybe drunks but I never had a problem in that pub. You might get a strange look, but keep your mouth shut and you soon blend in. I would meet the other PhDs there for a pint and sometimes I would be the only male at our table. The old duffers would give me a look over as to why I was so "gifted".

It's a family pub and worth a stop. They have live music some nights and quiz nights on others. Go, enjoy and have a pint on me.

Scottish Religions

Religion is Scotland is no different than anywhere else. There are plenty of different types from Baptists in Stirling to Jews in Glasgow.

Here are some links to learn more about what religions in Scotland and contacts for you if you wish.

The biggest difference between religion in Scotland and the United States is that it is not widely publicized in political debate or in personal communications. In fact, during one of our orientations at school, a few students walked out on a presenter when he casually mentioned Jesus. So be a bit careful discussing God or any religion when you are in Scotland. Tread lightly on the topic.




Here's a link to Jewish Scotland. (click picture)





Here's a link to Young Scottish Muslims. (click picture)











Here's a link to Stirling Baptist Church. (click picture)









Here's a link to the most popular church, the Church of Scotland. (click picture)

PUB CRAWL: Stirling

Meadowpark (The Med)

My stomping ground. For students, this was a great place to get a decent pint at a good discount. The food is good, the service is fine, and the atmosphere is perfect. Many nights were spent there talking and drinking. There are benches and tables outside, so that you can sit out there, eat and look out at Stirling Castle.

I highly recommend at stop. Click on the picture and get another perspective.

MEET REAL SCOTS: Travel tips

Go to Church

If you really want to experience the real Scotland and not just the touristy places...I mean, would you go to Williamsburg and say you understood America? Maybe the past. Or if you just visited New York City, would that tell you all you need to know about the United States? No way.

So go to a local church service on Sunday. They won't throw you out. If you are a gent, wear a tie...but it won't matter if you don't. You will learn more in that hour about the people that live in the country than any other place but the pub. The secret to being a good tourist is listening. It's not about you, it's about learning about them. Unless of course, you want it to be about you and then I'd ask you stay away from me, you give Americans a bad rep. Click on the picture to learn about the Logie Kirk in Stirling. A fine place to go and meet real Scots.