The West End of Glasgow

May 4, 2010April 21, 2010 Mhairi

Should you find yourself staying in Glasgow’s West End, it would a waste not to take a stroll along the bustling Byres Road. Staying in the luxury boutique hotel, Hotel du Vin & Bistro (a 15 minutes drive from Glasgow Airport) means you are but a minute’s walk from one of the most eclectic and intriguing streets in Glasgow.

Full of boutiques, pubs, bars and restaurants; there really is something for everyone. Only just this weekend a friend and I decided to head there to the new Italian-style tapas restaurant, La Vita Spuntini, for lunch. After several delicious mini-dishes of meatballs, frittatas, one-too-many slices of homemade Italian bread and a fantastic bottle of wine, we wandered up and down the busy street window-shopping at the clothing, home-ware and music stores.

For something a little different, visit Òran Mór for a Play, a Pie and a Pint – a spot of lunchtime theatre with a difference.

As a rule, if you are in the West End of Glasgow, you are ‘morally obligated’ to take a trip along the cobbled back-road of Ashton Lane; a small passageway, only about 170 feet long, but which houses the best bars and pubs in the area. Naturally, we did not want to ignore this tradition and so resolved to visit another couple of bars before heading home.

Well…it would have been rude not to!

Dining at Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond

April 6, 2010March 15, 2010 Mhairi

If you happen to be staying in the Loch Lomond area or are playing at the Carrick Golf Course, might I suggest you stop by the Cameron House Hotel for lunch or dinner. With 4 different dining areas to decide from, you’re bound to find an experience to suit your mood or occasion.

Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond opened in 2008 and is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant which offers a classic, chic setting in which to enjoy the fine food on offer. The Boathouse is a New England style restaurant placed in a picturesque position by the water’s edge while The Cameron Grill is a more informal dining experience set in a contemporary atmosphere and showcases an open feature kitchen and walk-in wine cellar. Finally, The Claret Jug; this is the golf club house, but do not be put off by this, it is a stylish and relaxed eating area which presents local, timeless fare. So now all you have to do is decide which restaurant to go for –whichever you choose, you will not be disappointed!

The Irish Tourist Economy

March 22, 2010March 21, 2010 Mhairi

Our UK PerryGolf office may be based in Scotland, but as Ireland is another of the world’s most popular golfing destinations, we are constantly in contact with our suppliers over there.

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations in New York City

With the presence of St. Patrick’s Day (and festive ‘tourist drive’ parades being held in New York and Los Angeles), we are always reminded of the Irish culture and it was very interesting to read a recent report on the present economic stance of the country.

With the realization that Ireland is now perceived as a very expensive country to visit, many of the higher-end accommodations are looking to lower their rates quite markedly alongside the special offers in place for customers. With this proactive approach, and Ireland making a concerted effort to promote the country once again, hopefully golfers will not feel they have to miss out on some of the best courses in the world.

For further reading, click here.

Dining at Zizzi Restaurant in St. Andrews

March 10, 2010March 10, 2010 Mhairi

Whenever I am staying in St. Andrews, I always make a point of visiting the Zizzi Restaurant for either lunch or dinner.

It is a casual setting serving excellent Italian food in four distinct sections of antipasti, salads, the mains (including pizza, pasta and risotto) and a selection of desserts, all within reasonable pricing. Having not been to any of the other outlets, I can only comment on the warm ambience and bustling atmosphere of St. Andrews’ own Zizzi Restaurant situated on South Street.

Last summer, while staying in the Fairmont Hotel just outside of St. Andrews town, my partner and I decided to dine there of an evening…and we were not disappointed. The Bruschetta with tomatoes and basil served on toasted garlic ciabatta was so good I could of eaten another serving…but I managed to hold off for my main of Pollo Prosciutto – chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto ham and sage and cooked in white wine – amazing! Not often opting for a dessert, I changed my mind on this occasion and decided to order the Chocolate Melt and only stopped eating when I realised I couldn’t possibly make room for anything else. All of this was offered with the accompaniment of a great wine list. I should mention that there really is a great choice of food and drink on the menu and I’m sure that there is something for everyone there.

The Spa at Loch Lomond Golf Club

February 3, 2010February 8, 2010 Mhairi

It is no longer a member’s-only treat to use the Spa at Loch Lomond Golf Club as Day Spa guests are now welcome. The building itself is a relaxing and luxurious spa placed in a magnificent and breathtaking setting.

Loch Lomong Golf Club Spa — Loch Lomond Golf Club Spa

Having booked in for an Energizer Massage, the staff at the spa recommend that you arrive at least 1 hour prior to your treatment in order to fully experience the heat experiences and the vitality pool (not to mention the sauna and the crystal steam room).

After the initial welcoming into the spa, I was shown to the changing rooms which were well-equipped – dental kits, brushes, hairspray, etc all available – and put on my swimwear, fluffy white robe and waterproof footwear in preparation for my afternoon of bliss.

First of all I decided to spend some time at the hydro pool which has different points providing various water pressure jets for underwater massage. From here I flitted between the steam room, the sauna and the ice fountain (this provides a much-needed cool down amid the heat experiences). By now my circulation was certainly working and I had a quick shower before moving onto the relaxation room to await the call for my treatment. The relaxation room itself which was very placid and offered a set of headphones for each lounger to allow you to listen to relaxing songs while admiring the lovely view out onto the small garden.

The treatment was fantastic, providing me with a (desperately) sought after boost…that must have been the Eucalyptus oil! The purpose of the Energizer Massage is to leave you with a clear head and a feeling of wellbeing; and I believe it did just that.

I should note that the spa is set within the walled garden at Loch Lomond Golf Club which also contains a large palm house and vast lawns and is really rather an extraordinary setting that I truly hope to attend again soon.

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