TRAVEL | SPECIAL
THE PERFECT BLEND
LUXURY TRAVEL EXPERTS STIRLING&STIRLING HIGHLIGHT THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE GREATEST GAME AND WHISKY ON A TOUR OF SCOTLAND, THE COUNTRY THAT GAVE US BOTH.
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cotland is, without doubt, blessed with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. From the soft, lush rolling hills of the lowlands to the purple majesty of the highlands, geology and climate conspire to create the kind of stunning vistas that have inspired poets and artists down the centuries. Mother Nature has bestowed on the country two further blessings: golf and whisky. To be fair, much of the credit should go to the water. Soft Scottish rain falls onto the high mountains before wending its way through the landscape, flowing down through the burns to
keep the famous lochs brimming. Crystal clear, pure Scottish water is one of only three ingredients in authentic whisky and Scottish malts would not be the same without it. Indeed, the word ‘whisky’ itself is derived from the Gaelic ‘usquebagh’ meaning water of life, or lively water. Such is its contribution to the experience that for many purists their dram of choice can only ever be accompanied by a splash from the local burn. Then, of course, there is the ocean. Scotland’s coastline has been carved, sculpted and framed by the sea in all its many moods: on occasion wild and raging, often playful, sometimes calm and
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The best way to celebrate a round at spectacular Royal Dornoch is to sample one of the local Speyside malts – Glenlivet, Dalwhinnie, Craigallachie and Knockando 74
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From left to right: the spectacular “Hell” bunker on the 14th of the Old Course at St Andrews; the comfortable surrounds of the bar at the famous Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire; Stirling&Stirling can arrange private tours of a selection of Scotland’s most respected distilleries 76
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contemplative. This is why Scotland boasts the finest links courses to be found anywhere. With such natural advantages it’s no wonder that Scotland has been the cradle of these two great institutions. But it’s not just a common birthplace that connects golf and whisky, perhaps the connection is more abstract, metaphysical even. Certainly, there are parallels to be drawn between a fine round and a fine malt. For a start, golf, like whisky distillation is an art not a science. It takes years of patience, practice and dedication to execute the perfect drive and even then the result is never a foregone conclusion. In the words of Arnold Palmer: “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening – and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.” Likewise, the finest malts may be described as “deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.” Even master distillers agree that there’s still a profound mystery to the process once the whisky has been placed in a cask – the point at which the precious liquid begins to take on its flavour and colour. Some distillers favour brand new white oak casks, which give a vanilla note, others older sherry casks, which offer more body, depth and sweetness. By law whisky must be stored for at least three years, but it goes without saying that the very finest malts are aged for a great deal longer. Balvenie Thirty, for example, is aged in Oloroso sherry butts
for three decades to give it that distinctive honeyed sweetness with a nutty finish. The astonishing Glenfarclas Forty-Year Old is aged for almost half a century to produce its chocolate richness along with notes of coffee and maraschino cherries. It is time, patience and dedication, which make for perfection in a malt just as they do in a player. Ultimately though, the most satisfying and immediate connection between golf and whisky is that of challenge and reward. When a man tests himself against the climate and the landscape it is only fitting that the elements reward his endeavors. How else to celebrate a round of the greatest game man has ever invented than with a drop or two of the greatest spirit? And what better way to do it than to match the course with the dram? Playing off from the first tee at the Old Course at St Andrews is to begin at the beginning. This is the undisputed home of golf. To play here is to tread hallowed turf where 13th century shepherds once enjoyed an early form of the game. Here you’ll face the famous 17th, the 455-yard Road Hole, arguably the most famous hole in golf, requiring a blind drive over the hotel grounds. After that experience a tincture is richly deserved and, although the clubhouse at the Royal and Ancient boasts hundreds of wonderful malts, the Glenkinchie is one of only six Lowland offerings and well worth a try. Double-matured in Amontillado casks, it’s fresh and light in character with notes of lemon, cut grass and a hint of peat. Heading inland through Perth and Tayside finds players spoilt for choice. There’s world famous Gleneagles, surrounded by the Grampian Mountains, the Trossachs and the Ochil Hills. Blairgowrie with its fairways lined with pine, broom and heather. Montrose, where golf has been played since 1562 and, of course, Carnoustie, the 7,361-yard marathon, regarded by many as the toughest links course in the world. Surely a test to merit a finger or two of a Blair Athol sherry-casked Twenty-Year Old? For the real enthusiast with energy to spare there are excellent distillery tours in the local area including Blair Athol itself, Tullibardine, Dewar’s, the Famous Grouse and Eradour. Onwards up to Speyside we find ourselves in the true home of Scottish malt whisky. Here are the Highland towns and villages known to whisky aficionados all over the world with names like Glenlivet, Dalwhinnie, Craigallachie, Knockando – words which roll across the tongue like the fine malts they produce. For golfers this too is paradise, the jewel in the crown being Royal Dornoch, bordered by the magnificent sparkling waters of the Dornoch Firth. Described by Tom Watson as ‘the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course.’ HKGOLFER.COM
Close by is the equally demanding Carnegie Club links in the shadow of Skibo Castle, famous as the venue for Madonna’s wedding. Not to mention glorious Nairn, founded in 1887, considered by many to be one of the best courses in Scotland and lately awarded number nine in the definitive list of the top-100 Courses in Scotland 2011. Then there is Dufftown, with its famous 10th, named as one of Britain’s most extraordinary holes. From the back tees it’s a 462-yard par-4 with a drop of 339ft feet to the green below. It is known as the Glenfiddich, because afterwards, you’re going to need one. The list is endless: Grantown-on-Spey; Kingussie; Carrbridge; Craggan; Moray and Castle Stuart. The choice can be somewhat daunting, and that’s just deciding on where to play. Then of course, there’s where to stay, what to eat and what to see. A trip to Scotland offers so many wonderful opportunities that it can often pay dividends to call upon the services of an expert. Fortunately, such folk do exist. Stirling&Stirling are a Scottish-based, family company who create exclusive trips to Scotland. The company specializes in looking after the discerning visitor at the highest level. Scottish, born and bred, living and breathing all things Caledonian, Stirling&Stirling are able to access people and places that no one else can. They offer a bespoke service, based on the principle that no two HKGOLFER.COM
experiences are the same because no two people are the same. Like master blenders Stirling&Stirling weave together unforgettable experiences from the very best Scotland has to offer, be it opulent castles and country houses to stay in, romantic Highland settings to remember, Michelin-star cuisine, stalking, fishing and of course, rare malt whisky alongside historic golf. Often, it’s those little things that can make or break even the trip of a lifetime. And it’s in the detail that Stirling&Stirling really stands apart, with a fulltime concierge on hand 24/7 to ensure that every aspect of your trip goes without a hitch. Even down to ensuring preferential tee times on your chosen course. It’s worth remembering that Scotland’s serious golf challenges are not just confined to the famous links courses and international venues. Sometimes it’s the hidden gems that bring the most satisfaction. There are almost 600 spectacular and beautiful courses in Scotland. Many are off the beaten track but offer magnificent locations and rare challenges and this where a little insider knowledge can be worth its weight in gold So, whether you come to Scotland to sink the odd putt, the odd dram, or perhaps both, it’ll be the trip of a lifetime. Slainte.
ABOUT STIRLING&STIRLING Scottish golf ’s luxur y travel experts invite you to experience the very best of the country – worldclass golf, ancient castles, vibrant cities, romantic Highlands and Michelinstarred cuisine. For further information please contact scotland@hkgolfer.com. Readers are entitled to an exclusive discount of 10 per cent.
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