G is for Gin and Golf in Scotland. Looking for a perfect blend of gin and golf? Scotland is the place to be! Explore the lush green fairways and unwind with a refreshing glass of Scottish gin. Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or a gin lover, Scotland offers a unique experience that combines the best of both worlds. So grab your clubs and raise a toast to a memorable adventure on the Scottish greens!
So G is for Gin and Golf in Scotland.
Experience the perfect blend of refreshing gin cocktails and world-class golf courses in the beautiful landscapes of Scotland.
Gin in Scotland
Scotland now produces more than 70% of all the Gin in the UK, and three of the world’s best-selling gins, Hendrick’s, Gordon’s and Tanqueray are made here. Scotland is at the forefront of the current ‘gin boom’ and is well and truly on the map for Gin and whisky. Indeed, Scotland’s relationship started in the 1700s and has gone full circle as gin sales thrived until the 1950s, when vodka took over. Edinburgh went from having the most gin stills to no stills. Fast forward to the 1980s, and it all began to change again.
Our location here at Blervie House in the middle of Malt Whisky Country means that the local expertise in producing and blending these spirits is second to none. Unsurprisingly, this small area of Scotland also produces some world-class Gins.
Two of my favourites include Gordon Castle from the Castle of the same name at Fochabers and, even closer to home, Red Door, produced by Benromach, part of Gordon & MacPhail, with over 120 years of creating spirits.
Likewise, in nearby Elgin, we have the Avva distillery, the only Gin made in a Scottish-produced still.
Take a Gin Tour, and you will be surprised at how much you learn. The expertise and enthusiasm are so encouraging that you might have to linger longer to sample some. The exciting and varied use of different botanicals makes for a flavoursome tour. Living, working and being part of the community here in Moray, it is easy to pick up on the enthusiasm and professionalism for distillation products. Likewise, you can explore the many ways of serving a first-rate gin and tonic.
At the base of beautiful Ben Rinnes, Eightlands Distillery produces Gin and vodka named after the view. Take the option to climb to the top of Ben Rinnes on a clear day, and you can look down from Moray’s most famous Corbett to see eight counties – Aberdeenshire, Banff, Moray, Nairn, Inverness-shire, Ross & Cromarty, Sutherland, and Caithness.
Just let me know if you want to try some. I am happy to taste them with you!
Or if all else fails, try our homemade Gin and Tonic Cheesecake.
Golf in Scotland
St Andrews Golf Course tends not to need an introduction for many visitors, and indeed, for many, no trip to Scotland would be complete without teeing off on one of our 560 or so golf courses. Scotland is well known as the home of Golf and boasts an exceptional number of world-class golf courses, many of which are Links courses.
Even within a short drive of Blervie House, five of the Top 30 courses are within easy reach. The Moray Coastline offers miles of rugged coastline and some beautiful link courses, including two designed by old Tom Morris.
So nearby, you will find the two fabulous Old and New Courses at Moray Golf Club. Going westwards, you will find the excellent Open Courses of Castle Stuart and Royal Dornoch. Right on the Moray Firth, you will find the links course at Nairn Golf Club,
Closer to home, we have our own Forres Golf Club, a parkland course with dramatic mountain scenery, and the very special Hopeman Golf Club, which is very popular with Blervie House guests.
With so many hidden gems combined with our mild climate and long sunshine hours, you are assured of some genuinely excellent golf. You can easily play from early morning to late evening during the Summer.
Many of our guests form a party of 8 or so and take over the whole house for exclusive use. They create their itinerary of superb open Golf Courses, combined with maybe a Distillery, a Glenlivet Hill Trek, a spot of shopping or Dolphin watching, and some excellent dining, all here at the house. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to find out more about arranging a Golf Group.
In the meantime, I am off to enjoy a local Scottish gin and tonic on the terrace. I need to decide which one. Does anyone care to join me?