Carnoustie
St Andrews
FACTFILE SO NEAR, SO SPA
Scotland is hot to trot when it comes to combining the vigour of golf with the relaxing qualities of a spa. Here’s five of our sublime stayovers. Words: Maureen Ellis
I Turnberry
Rumoured to be the most luxurious of all the golf spa hotels. this west coast resort originally opened in 1900. The five star hotel is set over 800 acres of grounds. its rooms are indix'idually designed in true Ed‘s-rardian style and its air/ard- winning spa even boasts its own Toni 8. Guy salon. Did we mention the helipad’? Truly the
stuff of golfing dreams. Ayrshire. 0 l055 33 I000.
‘. var/v.4 tur/ iberry. co. uk I St Andrews Old Course Hotel \v‘lhen Americans come to Scotland to play golf.
the Old COurse will be at the top of their ".'./lSl‘.IISI.
The hotel sits next to arguably the most famous golf c0urse in the world lyOu can even drive between the lst and 18th holesi. is steeped in history. and is x-rithih walking distance of the British Golf Museum. One for the addicts. St Andrews. OI 334 «1/3137 l.
lint/I’ll. o/dcot rrse/ lotel. co. i M
I Carnoustie Hotel Golf Resort and Spa
At only four stars. this golf resort and spa might be considered among the minno'.'.rs. but it's still rather lovely. Home to the British Open l’l l999. anyone who plays here to their handicap or
better gets a medal. They didn't mention if they explain what a handicap is before you play. The Links, Carnot/she. 01le «ll 1995).
‘.v‘/‘.‘./‘. can lOt rstie - /' iotel. com
I The Gleneagles Hotel
Another of Scotland's golfing institutions which boasts three championship courses amid stunning scei'iery. The five star hotel opened in 192/. when it was described as ‘a Riviera in the Highlanr‘ls' and the spa is very expansive. featuring two indoor pools. a jacu72i and an Outdoor pool. A date f ,r your diary: Gleneagles ‘.‘/|ll be home to the Ryder Cup in 2014. Auchtera/O'Br. Perl/ishrre. OI 764 66223/.
'."/‘.“./l.‘.’. gleneag/es. com
I Cameron House Hotel
Judging by the sx'rathes of tartan. this beautifully restored iiianSion is more traditionally Scottish than the rest. The spa and lOISLIIO fartilities are extensive and the "3/00 demon' golf course is challenging. yet compact. clocking in at just nine holes. And with Scotland's first national park as your back garden. you can't really go far wrong. Loch Lomond. Duribartonshire. 01389 755565. www. cameronhouse. co. uk
WIN A WEEKEND AWAY FOR TWO! ‘
I Now that yOu have read about what St Andrews Bay Golf Reson and Spa has to offer. here is yOur opportunity to experience the unrivalled luxury and service of this five star resort. The lucky winner will be offered dinner and bed and breakfast '- for two. along with a r0und of golf on one of the two a! ‘ championship golf c0urses and a spa treatment in the luxury European-style spa. To enter. just tell us: How many championship golf courses are there at St Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa? Ansx'rers on an email marked "TAKE ME TO ST ANDREWS to proiiiotions'r:list.co.uk or on a postcard to: The List. 14 High St. f-dinburgh. [I ll 1 ll". Deadline for entries is 91 October 2002. Please include a daytime telephone number and home address.
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Excess Bagga e
Festivals, flig ts and fabulous fares
I TWISTED FIRESTARTERS should enjoy STA‘s Fire Walking extravaganza in Japan. Warm up that autumnal chill by jumping across four and half meters of red hot coals as you join in the annual Fire Walking celebrations. It'll be a day yOur sole's will never forget. Flights start at as little as £345rtn. For bookings and enquiries call 0870 160 6070 or see www.statravel. CO.uk. If yOu fancy cooling off with a spot of Culture, why not check out Kabuki theatre in all its colourful glory? And if you're feeling really adventurous the Tokyo International Festival of Performing Arts runs until mid-Dec — log on to wwwl .bizbiglobenejp/ ~tif for more details.
I FESTIVAL FROLICS hit a high note at the end of this month as the Belfast Festival kicks off at Queen’s. This year the fest sets about Sounding the
HISTORY OF SUBAOUA DIVING TIM ECOTT
Neutral Buoyancy iPenguin
5:6.le 0....
Where have you been all our lives Tim Ecott? No
doubt gliding deep below
the waves, imperial and
distant from the detritus of
human noise. Subtitled Adventures in 3 Liquid
World, this wonderful book
Travel
City, a theme that reverberates throughout the programme focusing on the rich musical heritage that Ireland has on offer. Music, theatre, comedy and literature merge to make this a must-see event. Check out www.belfastfestival. com or book tickets on (028) 9066 5577. I IF YOU HAVEN'T taken full advantage of Scotland's great outdoors. get on your bike and do it — quite literally. VisitScotIand has come up with a host of ways to enjoy Scotland's mountain tracks, country lanes, forest trails and much more. And better still. there are a load of accommodation offers to tempt you. Check Out www.cycling. visitscotlandcom.
I GO NUTTY, PEOPLE! How often have you been sitting in the office wishing you were in far off foreign climes with cocktail in hand? Dream no longer folks - Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut, Lonely Planet and ebookers have joined forces and are giving away three sets of two round- the-world tickets. Look out for special packs of Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut packs.
traces the history of deep sea diving, incorporating Ecott’s personal obsession caused by the death of
his mother.
The former BBC World Service correspondent’s odyssey engages from start to finish. We spend time with wet armoured Romans, sponge divers and W2 frogmen. There’s procrastination on undenivater cities past and future, as well as great photographs and the superb use of quotations from
Jules Verne to DH Lawrence.
This is that rare thing: a book of careful research, passion and worldliness that carries the reader from the frothy surface to the tide swept glories below. Next time you go on a seaside holiday stick this in a clear plastic bag. Read it at the bottom of the ocean and feel the euphoria of Neutral
Buoyancy. (Paul Dale)
(ly'. THE LIST 121