Travel has been my annual ritual — a way to rediscover myself while exploring the world and pursuing my love for golf. Over the years, I’ve wandered through Australia, Italy, Switzerland, and many other places. Each trip adds a new layer to my understanding of the world and myself.
Anyone curious about how golf became central to my life can revisit my earlier reflection:
🔙[Swinging into Retirement: Finding Joy in Golf at 72].
This year, the call of the United Kingdom felt irresistible. Scotland — the birthplace of golf — and London — a city of timeless charm — together promised a journey I knew I would cherish.
Flying Business Class with Etihad Airways from Mumbai, I began my journey in comfort and quiet luxury, setting the tone for the days to come. A brief halt in Abu Dhabi and a seamless onward flight brought me to London, where the adventure truly began.
London: The Elegant Beginning
Touching down in London around noon, we checked into the refined St. James’ Court, Taj Hotel. After a quick lunch, the first stop was Fortnum & Mason, the iconic British tea emporium.
Evening brought a classic English high-tea experience with friends — scones, pastries, and warm conversation — before a leisurely walk back to the hotel amid the city’s timeless charm.
Edinburgh: Walking Through History
An early morning train whisked us from London to Edinburgh, carving through the English countryside. The Scottish capital welcomed us with cobbled streets, Gothic architecture, and a deep literary soul.
A guided walking tour revealed stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and other literary greats, making the city feel like an open-air museum.
Their stay at the Virgin Hotel — with its distinctive Sir Richard’s Flat — offered an added layer of indulgence.
The Great Highland Drive to Tongue
The journey from Edinburgh to Tongue covered nearly 400 km of breathtaking Scottish landscapes. Behind the wheel of a Jaguar, each twist of the road revealed new panoramas — rolling hills, moody skies, and vast Highlands untouched by time.
A quick halt in Inverness brought memories, conversations, and a simple café meal before they continued toward Tongue, a village enveloped in rugged beauty and tranquil silence.
Life at Lundies House: Understated Luxury
Our stay at Lundies House became a highlight. A restored church manse turned boutique residence, it embodied artistic elegance and minimalist luxury.
One charming feature — an honesty bar. With no staff supervision, guests served themselves and noted their consumption honestly. The concept felt symbolic of the trust-filled warmth of the Highlands.
A Coastal Walk in Tongue
The next morning brought fresh sea breezes and a scenic 7 km coastal walk. Waves crashed rhythmically as they collected seashells and soaked in the raw beauty around them. A slippery incline forced us to turn back, but the experience remained deeply satisfying.
The Road to Nairn: Anticipation Builds
Leaving Tongue, we began the 185 km journey to Nairn — a place holding personal significance. The Highlands spread out in gentle curves as anticipation grew: Nairn was where I would finally play golf on Scottish soil.
Boath House Hotel, set in serene surroundings, offered comfort, though the service quality fell slightly short of expectations. The evening closed with a sauna and quiet reflection — the calm before my long-awaited golf day.
Braemar: Castles, Countryside, and Highland Culture
The drive to Braemar the next morning was another postcard-worthy experience. A delightful lunch at the Fife Arms Hotel, a brief visit to a local golf course, and a scenic walk to Lochnagar Distillery added layers of culture and charm.
A planned stop at Balmoral Castle proved impossible due to closure, but the detour added unexpected adventure to the day.
Nairn Golf Day: Playing Where the Game Was Born
I awoke early, excitement evident. Dressed meticulously by my daughter, I reached Nairn Golf Club — a sacred ground for golf lovers.
With no caddies available, I drove the cart myself for the first time. Four solitary hours on the 18-hole course became a meditative experience. No scorecard was kept; the reward lay in simply playing in the land where golf was born.
🔜For readers who enjoy the deeper philosophy of the game, my post [Life & Golf] explores how each stage of life mirrors the journey across 18 holes.
A quiet cup of tea afterward completed a memorable day.
Homeward Bound: Edinburgh’s Warm Goodbye
The next morning, I woke up refreshed and quietly content, still carrying the glow of having played golf in its homeland. Nupur, ever the organiser, was already up, handing me a steaming cup of coffee and ensuring our bags were packed. We began our drive back to Edinburgh to catch the evening train to London.
Before boarding, we revisited the Virgin Hotel, where the warm and courteous staff kindly held our luggage while we enjoyed a leisurely coffee in their familiar café. With a little time left, we walked over to visit the grave of Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal little Skye Terrier whose devotion has touched countless hearts across generations. Having earlier written about his remarkable story in my post [Greyfriars Bobby: A Tale of Loyalty and Love], standing again by his resting place felt deeply nostalgic and unexpectedly moving.
By late evening, we boarded the train and settled into our seats, letting the Scottish landscapes slip quietly into memory as we headed back towards London for the final leg of our journey.
Return to London: Food, Markets & Mayfair Leisure
Returning to London, we embraced the city’s vibrant rhythm. Harrods, Brick Lane Market, and Petticoat Lane added color and character to their days.
We dined at KOL, a Michelin-starred gem, followed by Hawksmoor, famed for its cheese offerings. While the others shopped, I retreated to Taj 51 Buckingham Gate for a rejuvenating sauna and steam — the perfect contrast to the Highlands’ ruggedness.
Epilogue: Landscapes, Memories & The Spirit of Golf
As the flight home ascended from Heathrow, I reflected on a journey that blended history, family, nature, gourmet experiences, and golf in perfect harmony.
Scotland and England had offered more than just travel; they had given me a tapestry of memories — from mist-covered greens and coastal winds to the refined silence of London evenings.
For a golfer, few experiences compare to playing in Scotland. For me, few destinations blend culture and landscape so effortlessly.
Scotland has always fascinated me as the birthplace of golf, and London’s timeless elegance makes it the perfect gateway to the UK. Combining the two allowed me to experience rugged landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable golfing moments — all in one trip.
Scotland is where golf was born, and you can feel the history in the air. Playing at Nairn — surrounded by windswept greens, coastal beauty, and centuries of tradition — was a deeply emotional and almost spiritual experience. It fulfilled a lifelong dream.
Tongue, hidden in the Highlands, left a remarkable mark with its wild beauty and peaceful silence. Lundies House, with its warmth and understated luxury, added charm. Edinburgh’s historic streets and Nairn’s golfing aura were equally unforgettable.
Yes, absolutely. Scotland offers gentle walking routes, scenic drives, quiet towns, and excellent hospitality. Its calm pace makes it ideal for senior travellers who want comfort without missing out on adventure.
London offered a balance of culture, food and relaxation — from high tea at Fortnum & Mason to browsing Harrods, enjoying a Michelin-star meal at KOL, and winding down with a sauna at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate. Brick Lane and Petticoat Lane markets added a perfect local touch.
Accordion Content
Yes, the trip flowed smoothly. The train from London to Edinburgh was comfortable, driving through Scotland was scenic, and hotels were reliable. With a bit of planning — especially around train timings, hotel bookings and weather — the trip is very manageable.
Very much so. Sharing new places, laughter, food, and the joy of exploration with Nupur and Mithun enriched the journey. Their company added depth, warmth and plenty of memorable moments.
Plan ahead, especially for trains and hotels. Keep some flexibility for spontaneous walks, scenic stops, and weather changes. And if you’re a golfer, reserve at least one day to play on a Scottish course — the experience is incomparable.
The honesty bar at Lundies House — a simple concept where guests pour their own drinks and honestly declare them later — showcased the Highland spirit of trust. It was refreshing and beautifully symbolic of the region’s culture.
Absolutely. Scotland has a timeless pull. I would love to return for more Highland drives, explore additional castles, and perhaps fulfil another dream — playing at St Andrews, the revered “Home of Golf”.
