Category: Local Knowledge

Isle of Skye

PerryGolf Staff

Visitors to Scotland generally have a ‘must see’ list which includes Edinburgh, Loch Lomond, Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye.  The latter, although slightly less accessible, draws a significant number of couples blending a golfing holiday with a once in a lifetime trip.  For many it will be a trip ‘home’ tracing their roots.  It’s important to remember that Skye was as much affected by famine and the clearances as the Highlands.  The clans of MacLeod and MacDonald were the main players, but Clan Mackinnon also had settlements there.  Few children grew up without hearing the romantic story of Flora MacDonald helping Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape by rowing boat and this brave young lady is buried in Skye.

The scenery, the striking Cuillin Hills and the food gathered from the fertile agricultural areas and intricate coastline make Skye an island well worth visiting as suggested in Dan Saltzstein’s excellent article in the New York Times recently.  Click here to read on.

By Yvonne Shaw.  Yvonne has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of our admin team.

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US Ryder Cup Team Analysis

Gordon Dalgleish

Golf is inherently not a team sport but the Ryder Cup with it national pride and good natured bantering is an event like no other (including the President’s Cup).  Regardless of whom Pavin picked, his selections would be scrutinized and disceted. One thing we know, it will be fabulous entertainment whether at the event in an electric atmosphere or on television;


Pavin’s Prudent Picks
David BarrettTheAPosition

TAP image

U.S. captain Corey Pavin said that he didn’t really think too much about his captain’s picks until the end. If he’s telling the truth, that was a good move.

About a month ago, Pavin could have driven himself crazy thinking about the possibilities. Tiger Woods had turned in such an awful performance at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational that he not only looked unlikely to make the …

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About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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Earthquake in Christchurch

PerryGolf Staff

With Christchurch being a popular destination for our clients visiting New Zealand, we were very concerned about the earthquake there this weekend.  Click here for the latest news.

After being in touch with our staff in New Zealand it was good to know there have been no fatalities and the damage to most of the hotels we use has been cosmetic.  The courses also seem to have been largely unaffected. It will take a while for things to be back to normal… but it could have been so much worse.

By Alastair Niven.  Alastair has been with PerryGolf for over 9 years and is responsible for our South Pacific programs.

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Scottish Place Names

PerryGolf Staff
A Scottish Loch in The Trossachs
A Scottish Loch in The Trossachs

As you drive (or are driven) around Scotland on your golf trip, you will no doubt wonder about the origins of some of the place names which keep cropping up.  Many are based on the Celtic words for colours, such as glas – green, as in Glasgow (green hollow).  Another commonly used colour is dubh – black.  Then there are the geological formations, such as drummond – ridge, strath – broad valley (Strath-clyde – valley of the Clyde), firth – outlet to the sea and ben (mountain), also inver – mouth of (Inver-ness).  A dun is a fort, a loaning is a lane or small street, and a bal is a small town or village.  Most people will know a lake is a loch, a pile of stones is a cairn, and a narrow valley is a glen.

Here are some of the other names you might come across.  Dornoch – pebbly place.  Gullane – small loch.  Edinburgh – fort on a hill.  Turnberry – tower.  Aberdeen – mouth of the Dee.  Carnoustie – crows nest.

By Yvonne Shaw.  Yvonne has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of our admin team.

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New Restaurant in Newcastle, County Down, Ireland

PerryGolf Staff

We always like to keep up to date with new restaurants that our clients would enjoy, and so far this year the new Vanilla restaurant in Newcastle, County Down has been getting some very good reviews from our clients.

Opened in October last year the restaurant specialises in preparing dishes from the finest local ingredients. You can see full details of the menus if you click here.  Yum!

By Alastair Niven.  Alastair has been with PerryGolf for over 9 years and is one of your Golf Travel Specialists.

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