Full English Breakfast Sir?

August 8, 2010July 28, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

Ever wondered what the difference is in the full breakfast as you travel around the countries that make up the UK? Eggs and bacon will be included everywhere, but what accompanies them may differ.

In England you can expect to find sausages, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms and may be offered black pudding, baked beans and fried bread. Breakfast tea is usually stronger than most other varieties and toast and marmalade will be on the table.

In Scotland, porridge made from oatmeal is considered a must and can be eaten with cream and either salt or something sweet such as honey. The bacon and eggs may be accompanied by a flat sausage (know as lorne) rather than links sausages. There will be grilled tomatoes and mushrooms and probably black pudding, fruit pudding and haggis. Oatcakes are often offered and are a savoury, slightly salty biscuit.

Ireland is famous for its delicious soda bread and this will be on the table at breakfast too. Irish breakfast can also include a white pudding. In Northern Ireland, the Ulster breakfast is usually a full English plus soda bread. Wales has it’s own variety of bread made from seaweed – laver or lava bread – give it a try!

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

Do you need to pack a jacket and tie?

July 22, 2010July 2, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

We’re often asked in the lead up to trips if men need to bring a jacket and tie for access to clubhouses and for evening meals. Many hotels used to require men to dress formally for evening meals, but that has almost entirely become extinct throughout the UK and Ireland due to golfers being keen to go straight to dinner after golf, with one exception……The Early of Thomond Restaurant at Dromoland Castle in Ireland. As a result, if you’re staying there and you wish to have a fine dining experience at the hotel, please take your jacket and tie. They do, however, have other dining options where you can dine less formally so you aren’t restricted.

With regards access to clubhouses, many still require jackets and ties, but that’s only to access their main dining rooms (Royal Lytham, Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool, Prestwick, Portmarnock and Formby spring to mind). Be mindful that these clubhouses also have other areas where you can enjoy bar snacks after golf or between rounds in your golf clothing – so formal attire would only really be required at these courses if you’re looking for an evening meal. The one exception is at Muirfield where you will need a jacket and tie to gain access to the clubhouse (unless you only wish to go to the locker room); so even if you’re only going for a quick drink or to have a look around the public rooms, please be sure to pack appropriately.

By Keith Baird. Keith has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

French Cuisine in Scotland – The Peat Inn

May 24, 2010May 1, 2010 Mhairi

A favorite amongst PerryGolf clients for a meal while staying in St. Andrews is The Peat Inn; a family run, first class restaurant with three separate dining areas and only a 15 minute drive from the town centre. During a recent visit to the area, we stopped off for dinner in the evening.

Upon arrival we were led into the lounge area and served canapés while we examined the menus – a nice touch, although be careful not to enjoy the canapés and aperitifs too much if you want to leave room for your meal! There are three different menus to select from; the Tasting Menu, the Menu of the Day and the Main Menu (this offers a selection of six dishes per course).

If you enjoy French Cuisine, then these menus offer the kind of classic servings that ensure you will return again.

The Olive Tree – Dining in Aberdeen

May 10, 2010April 27, 2010 Mhairi

If you are planning a stay in Aberdeen, Scotland and have a free night ahead, I’d happily recommend The Olive Tree for your evening meal.

Set in the Granite City’s West End in a renovated former toll house, the restaurant offers two very different settings; The Black Olive – which is situated in the conservatory and offers a modern environment; or The Olive Tree which is the more formal of the two eating areas. There is not a huge choice on the menus, but this is offset by the fact that they are updated regularly and always work with seasonal produce. Each day, a seasonal special is on offer as well as the core European menu. When I was there I had a main of confit of halibut with ratatouille which was delicious…and for any like-minded chocoholics, you have to try the chocolate and peanut parfait for dessert!

It’s worth noting that The Olive Tree also has private rooms which are ideal for a group who would like a more intimate experience.

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!

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