Notes: the lines that matter

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

Golf

Golf in one line: the links courses on the east coast. Beyond the number, St Andrews' Old Course needs a ballot or a booking a year ahead.

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

When in doubt, choose the simpler option first; it is the one least likely to need undoing. That is the whole of Golf for most readers.

Argyll

Argyll: the line most people need is sea lochs and islands, west of Loch Lomond. In practice, ferries to Mull and Islay leave from Oban and Kennacraig.

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 Argyll prevents most mistakes.

Red deer

A short note on Red deer. The figure to hold onto is the largest wild animal in Britain; what matters is that they come down to the roads in winter; drive slowly at dusk.

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, Red deer is worth a minute before you commit.

Hogmanay

If you are looking into Hogmanay, start here: 31 December, across Scotland. The point is that Edinburgh's street party needs tickets; a Highland house needs logs and a plan for the 2nd.

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 Hogmanay for most readers.

Munros

Munros in one line: 282 mountains over 3,000 feet. Beyond the number, Ben Lomond is the usual first one from a Loch Lomond house.

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 Munros prevents most mistakes.

Castles to stay in

Castles to stay in: the line most people need is a handful, let as whole houses. In practice, expect a housekeeper and a fixed changeover.

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, Castles to stay in is worth a minute before you commit.

Airports

A short note on Airports. The figure to hold onto is Inverness for the north Edinburgh and Glasgow for the south; what matters is that car hire sells out at Inverness in summer.

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 Airports for most readers.

Whisky regions

If you are looking into Whisky regions, start here: Speyside, Highland, Islay, as the big three. The point is that Islay's peated malts divide a group; Speyside rarely does.

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 Whisky regions prevents most mistakes.

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.