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David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

The ties between Scotland and golf are inextricably linked and as the birthplace of the game, over six centuries ago, there are solid reasons for this to be so. Golf is a Scottish icon, but only one among many.

Scotland has more than 100 whisky distilleries

This is a country that seems to have something of a monopoly on icons. Think Scotland and most will also think of tartan, kilts and bagpipes, all distinctly, but none exclusively, things Scottish. Another icon that springs quickly to mind is whisky, although the origins of "the water of life" are definitely Irish.

It was Irish monks who brought the first whisky to Scotland's shores back in the 7th century, when it was used to some advantage to save heathen Scots souls. The origins may be Irish, but it was the Scots who took whisky to the heights of global popularity and so the spirit has evolved into a Scottish icon.

Machrihanish is fabled for its first hole and neighboring Springbank Distillery

There are more than 100 whisky distilleries scattered across the country. Some are located near famous courses with household names, while others are close to gems deserving of far more recognition - a convenient coincidence.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association, golfers represent one of their largest and most important market segments.

The opportunity to visit a few whisky distilleries while taking a Scottish golf trip can only be a winning combination and it's something growing numbers of whisky loving golfers are doing.

Islay's Machrie - a classic rough & tumble links with 8 distilleries at the door

All it takes is some careful planning; made all the easier if you use a professional golf travel company with a knowledge and appreciation of both Scotland's whiskies and her golf. Golf International has pioneered golf and whisky trips and offers a wide selection of such tours, or, if you have some ideas of your own, they can customize a trip to suit. A good first step is to gain an understanding of where the distilleries are located.

The links courses of southwest Scotland are not endowed with an abundance of distilleries, but there are a couple of side trips from Glasgow, any golfing, whisky connoisseur will find irresistible.

It's only a 30-minute flight from Glasgow Airport to Campbeltown on the Mull of Kintyre and one of Scotland's most revered links courses, Machrihanish. The Springbank distillery, located here, produces one of the most sought after single malt whiskies.

The town of Campbelltown is home to Machrihanish Golf Club and Springbank Distillery.

Alternatively, the flight from Glasgow to the tiny island of Islay (pronounced Eye-lah) is just as close and within minutes of arrival, you can be on the magnificently rugged links of Machrie, ranked among Scotland's top 20 courses -- and then there is the whisky. A whisky region in its own right, Islay might just as well be called Whisky Island as it boasts a permanent population of barely 3,000 and 8 working distilleries.

Lagavulin, Bowmore, Laphroiag, Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila and Kilchoman may be strange sounding names to the uninitiated, but to the whisky connoisseur, they are pure music and distillers of some of Scotland's finest.

North Berwick - an East Lothian treat, conveniently close to Glenkinchie Distillery

If you are fortunate enough to be playing Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane, Craigielaw or some of the other wonderful links challenges squeezed into golf-rich, East Lothian, then Glenkinchie Distillery is a must on your itinerary. One of the many attractions of this tiny county, located a brief half hour away from Edinburgh's city center is that everything is so close and no matter where you stay, Glenkinchie will never be more than a 15-minute drive from your hotel. Take the opportunity to pop into Edinburgh and visit the Scotch Whisky Heritage Center, located immediately next door to Edinburgh Castle.

There is an impressive selection of top ranked links courses surrounding the city of Aberdeen, with Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay and Murcar heading the list.

Royal Aberdeen - top links golf and Royal Lochnagar Distillery a short drive away

From Aberdeen there are a number of notable distilleries, easily combined in a half-day excursion, Glen Garioch, Ardmore, Glen Dronach and Royal Lochnagar among them and for the serious whisky lover, the whisky Mecca of Speyside is only a little further.

Speyside, the region in the northeast, bordering the River Spey, is the heart and soul of Scotland's whisky industry and home to some of the most prestigious names in the business. Glenlivet, The Macallan, Glenfiddich, Knockando and Glen Moray, are just a small sampling of the more than 40 distilleries to be found in this small region. It's a whisky aficianado's paradise -- and golf is never far away.

Moray Golf Club's Old Course is one of the best, a centenarian designed by Old Tom Morris, with a special appeal to the whisky crowd.

Boat of Garten - a Highland gem surrounded by Speysides best distilleries

Originally founded by distillers in 1889, the club regularly purchases a few hogsheads (54 Imperial Gallons) of a carefully selected whisky, to be laid down and offered as the club malt in future years.

It's an excellent opportunity to play some wonderful links golf, savor a few very special whiskies, then play some more golf on Moray's New Course, another crackerjack layout designed by the great Henry Cotton.

Sorry, but courtesy demands a little more whisky sampling when golf is done, so plan on spending a rather long day here.

Royal Dornoch - 10 minutes away from Clynelish Distillery

Looking for more golf in the area? There's an excellent Alistair Mackenzie, parkland layout at nearby Duff House Royal, a top ranked, heath land course designed by James Braid at Boat of Garten and a much-lauded inland course at neighboring Elgin. Each offers top quality golf and a similar, whisky laced hospitality that will always be memorable.

Golfers making it this far up into the Highlands will be duty bound to play the two star attractions of this dramatically beautiful part of Scotland - Royal Dornoch and Nairn both have distilleries close by.

Clynelish Distillery is in the small town of Brora, located just north of Dornoch, which also has a wonderful Old Tom Morris course that shouldn't be missed.

Glenmorangie Distillery sits in the town of Tain, immediately next door to Tain Golf Club and another very worthwhile layout from the fabled, Old Tom Morris and not too far away, the well known, Dalmore Distillery.

Whisky and golf is a match made in heaven for many of us and for the rest, something they will inevitably learn about in the future.

But for those who have already gained the knowledge, there is no better place to pair the two together then in Scotland. For more ideas on how to include a few whisky distilleries on your golf trip to Scotland, click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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