Notes worth a minute

A few short notes on Scottish regions and seasons, gathered from the questions readers ask most often.

Golf

A short note on Golf. The figure to hold onto is the links courses on the east coast; what matters is that St Andrews' Old Course needs a ballot or a booking a year ahead.

That is a general note rather than a rule; check the current details before you rely on it.

Do the cheap checks before the expensive ones. Knowing this about Golf prevents most mistakes.

Argyll

If you are looking into Argyll, start here: sea lochs and islands, west of Loch Lomond. The point is that ferries to Mull and Islay leave from Oban and Kennacraig.

Treat it as a starting point; specifics change with the house, the school or the kitchen.

Write down what you find before you decide anything; it makes the next step obvious. In short, Argyll is worth a minute before you commit.

Red deer

Red deer in one line: the largest wild animal in Britain. Beyond the number, they come down to the roads in winter; drive slowly at dusk.

The primary source has the final word, and it is worth a minute to check it.

Keep the paperwork; it is the proof when something is queried later. That is the whole of Red deer for most readers.

Hogmanay

Hogmanay: the line most people need is 31 December, across Scotland. In practice, Edinburgh's street party needs tickets; a Highland house needs logs and a plan for the 2nd.

That is a general note rather than a rule; check the current details before you rely on it.

If something changes, note the date; patterns only show up with dates on them. Knowing this about Hogmanay prevents most mistakes.

Munros

A short note on Munros. The figure to hold onto is 282 mountains over 3,000 feet; what matters is that Ben Lomond is the usual first one from a Loch Lomond house.

Treat it as a starting point; specifics change with the house, the school or the kitchen.

When in doubt, choose the simpler option first; it is the one least likely to need undoing. In short, Munros is worth a minute before you commit.

Castles to stay in

If you are looking into Castles to stay in, start here: a handful, let as whole houses. The point is that expect a housekeeper and a fixed changeover.

The primary source has the final word, and it is worth a minute to check it.

Do the cheap checks before the expensive ones. That is the whole of Castles to stay in for most readers.

Airports

Airports in one line: Inverness for the north Edinburgh and Glasgow for the south. Beyond the number, car hire sells out at Inverness in summer.

That is a general note rather than a rule; check the current details before you rely on it.

Write down what you find before you decide anything; it makes the next step obvious. Knowing this about Airports prevents most mistakes.

Whisky regions

Whisky regions: the line most people need is Speyside, Highland, Islay, as the big three. In practice, Islay's peated malts divide a group; Speyside rarely does.

Treat it as a starting point; specifics change with the house, the school or the kitchen.

Keep the paperwork; it is the proof when something is queried later. In short, Whisky regions is worth a minute before you commit.

Figures are general guidance; the primary source takes precedence.

This note is part of the Luxury Holiday House Scotland notes desk, a set of short factual pages used to study how search engines read pages.