More goodies on Highland Golf Course

It was a warm welcome yesterday to new arrivals at the Dragons Tooth Golf Course on the Scottish West Coast.  Yes! skipping up the drive to this renowned Highland golf course were two electric carts.  They seemed excited to be arriving at their new home, and certainly had taken some trouble to look smart, spick and span for their arrival.

After their long trip to Lochaber, Norris and Dorris appeared a little overcome by the journey - and the impressive setting of their new home at this superb Highland golf course.  The wonderful fairways stretched away in the distance, and the glistening bunkers twinkled enticingly in the sun.  But Norris and Dorris were tired, and we pictured them resting up peacefully in their new bedroom.

These two will grace this understated and relaxed golf course near Fort William - already raising eyebrows across Scotland because of the quality of the play and the facilities on offer - and further enhance the reputation of The Outdoor Capital of the UK as the place for sport and adventure of every type.

For information on meeting Norris and Dorris, please visit www.dragonstooth.co.uk

Nature Trail Quest at Dragons Tooth Golf Course

The Dragon Monkey Nature Trail Quest moved a leap forward recently, with the arrival of an impressive sign that overviews the golf course, and the beautiful parkland trail around it.  The trail is the brainchild of Margaret Boyd, who masterminds a charitable project to encourage social interaction between the generations and in particular, engage senior citizens in the life of their local community.

There are a whole range of actions underway, but one very tangible development is this nature trail. The signpost features the wonderful gentle walks in the area, and highlights some of the natural features of the locality.  Visitors are invited to enter a challenge to identify wildlife, flora and fauna in the course of the ramble. And who knows?  There may well be a sighting of that illusive Dragon Monkey.

The last recorded sighting was in early December, when a pair of the little monkies were seen scuttling across the snowy fairways in search of shelter. They normally venture onto the course looking for stray golf balls, and seem to prize these as possessions in their lairs.

But back to the Nature Trail Quest.  The walk begins at the Club House of this renowned golf course in the Highlands of Scotland. The golf course is near Glencoe, just 12 miles south of Fort William - right in the heart to the Outdoor Capital of the UK. Once you've enjoyed a remarkably good coffee in this part of Scotland, and a fresh bacon roll, it's off for a stroll.  There's a quizz sheet to accompany the trail, and lots to do and see along the way. More details at www.dragonstooth.co.uk

Oh, and watch out for the Dragon Monkey.

Highland Golf in Scotland or Hungary . . . or both?

Not golf in Fort William this, but golf in Hungary.

Perhaps one Highland Golf Course should twin with another? But what would be the point?

Would it be like a town deciding to twin with a town in another country? For economic, social and political reasons? Glencoe Scotland, for example, was recently toying with the idea of reaching out to Glencoe America. There could be good reasons for these very different communities to "twin" - after all, one was named after the other and there are clearly some common roots.

But should a West Coast Golf Course near Fort William link with a golf course in Budapest? Well, it could be an idea. Respective members might enjoy golf breaks in each other’s territory. And the Budapest Highland Golf Course has a linked academy . . . could the Ballachulish golfers get even better with a little tuition from their European neighbours? And there's the opportunity for golf competitions and perhaps a Scottish Open followed by a Hungarian one?

There might be something to learn in social marketing for the Scots. After all, the facebook site for Highland Golf in Hungary has three times the membership of its Scottish counterpart. www.facebook.com/pages/Budapest-Highland-Golf-Club-Academy/109264872432420?sk=photos#!/pages/Budapest-Highland-Golf-Club-Academy/109264872432420?sk=info&closeTheater=1

And some of its social activities do look a little more sizzly than the things that go on off the golf greens in The Dragons Tooth Golf Course Club House near Fort William. Perhaps Scotland could import some ideas - and playmates - from Hungary? www.dragonstooth.co.uk/club_facilities.php

Well, these questions must hang for the moment. But it may just be that we should extend the hand of friendship, and go out and explore.

Segway comes to Scottish Highlands

Segway Personal Transporters are coming to the West Coast of Scotland!  A Fort William Golf Course is to introduce this novel form of travel in April, 2011.  The Dragons Tooth Golf Course recently announced the news that is has partnered with Glencoe Activities and tours for up to six people will be offered on the stunning Scottish estate near Ballachulish, in the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

Glencoe Activities is already a leader in adventure pursuits in Lochaber, and offers many of the outdoor experiences that make OCUK so famous.  "This is an important development for tourism in the Highlands of Scotland" said golf Director Laurence Young "the Segway PT's will be offered to our golfers, as well as to visitors for guided tours."  The Scottish Segway Centre will be based 10 miles South of Fort William, and is expected to entice visitors from as far afield as Glasgow, Oban and Inverness.

Vertical Descents are to manage the Segway Tours, and Director Ben Starkie said "Vertical Descents have a strong reputation for high-adrenalin adventure. Now it's time to offer something a little more gentle! Segway PT's are just amazing fun for all the family - and even grandpartents fall in love with them.  It's an experience like no other!".  Details of all the Scottish Activities offered by Vertical Descents are at
http://verticaldescents.com/verticaldescents-scotland/home/lochaber-fort-william/segway-tours/

More information at www.dragonstooth.co.uk/page.php?id=2311

Fort William Golf at the Heart of Economic Recovery

Interesting to note that the recent study stimulated by Visit Scotland, Golf Tourism Scotland, the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, indicates that golf tourism could generate as much as £300 million in the next 10 years.  Now, this is not ALL due to developments at The Dragon's Tooth Golf Course near Fort William. www.dragonstooth.co.uk

In fact, it won't be down to only Highland Golf, although developments across the Scottish Highlands and Islands in recent years do give cause for optimism.  A lot is down to investment, and the huge improvements in the golf course near Ballachulish, very close to Glencoe, are the result of professional attention and . . . . . cash.  For example, over £25,000 has gone into a major drainage project over the last two years, and as a result this West Coast Golf Course is said to be playing better than ever.

But back to the bigger picture, where Peter Headley reports "The study, An Assessment of Golf Tourism’s Future Growth Potential to 2020, said that the economy could be boosted by as much as 30% with the aid of its home-grown sport. It said that the golf market has been quite resilient despite ongoing economic hardships in the wake of the recession, as almost four-fifths of firms surveyed projected positive growth in the coming decade.
Scottish Enterprise’s tourism director, Eddie Brogan, said that golf tourism offered great possibilities for Scotland’s economy and could give business leaders ideas for ways to maximise the potential benefits. He added however for the country to achieve the 30% growth outlined in the report that the private and public sectors would have to work together to ensure the maximum effort is given."

According to figures outlined in the report, the greatest possible growth is likely to be sourced from German, Dutch and French tourists, as well as those from newer key markets like India and China.A new study has shown that golf tourism could jump start an economic recovery in Scotland.

The full report can be found An Assessment of Golf Tourism in Scotland.

New Team at Highland Golf Course

Today's the day!  Glenn and Fiona are installing themselves in the Club House Bistro at the Dragons Tooth Golf Course near Fort William.  They are taking over the Club House operation from 1st March, and open the doors on Friday 4th with new menus, a warm welcome and the best of Highland Hospitality.

The Bistro is a busy place, and is very much at the heart of this renowned gem of a Scottish Golf Course.  Superbly set between mountains and loch, the 9 hole parkland course is located between Oban and Glencoe.  It's not just the golf that is special - visitors and locals alike enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Club House and find the fresh coffee and free wi-fi quite compelling! Chef Glen has a repuation for using fresh highland produce and celebrates the natural cooking of Scotland.  http://www.dragonstooth.co.uk/

Why Glencoe and Dubai are so alike - great golf!

Is the KPMG's Golf Business Forum coming to Glencoe this year?  Evidently not, it's heading for the  Park Hyatt Dubai in April 2011.  I suppose the place does look a bit more impressive than the Golf Club House at another highland golf course - www.dragonstooth.co.uk/club_facilities.php . Well, never mind, this annual gathering of top brands and top golf businesses may come to the Outdoor Capital of the UK another year.  After all, OCUK and Fort William have a reputation for attracting major international events, like the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup  http://fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk

The 2011 Moutain Film Festival  www.mountainfilmfestival.co.uk is just over, and it maintains its reputation as a world-class event. 6 days of presentations, films and workshops attracting participants from across the Highlands of Scotland - and much, much further afield, too.  Some visitors even managed time out to enjoy quality golf with us in Glencoe!

Meanwhile, we're putting in a planning application for some sort of impressive concrete and glass structure to tower above the Glenachulish Mountains and our new, man-made lake at Ballachulish.  Dubai Golf, eat your heart out!