Carnoustie is in the beautiful and unspoiled Scottish county of Angus, just north of Dundee, on the east coast around 65 miles north of Edinburgh, and a similar distance south of Aberdeen. This is Scotland's golfing heartland, and St Andrews is less than half an hour by road.
Temperate, coastal, and sunny. It's the second driest area in Britain. In May 2006 Angus had 24.2 more hours of sunshine than London and the South East (Source: Met Office). Crucially, the Carnoustie links courses stay dry and playable in most weathers.
By road, Carnoustie is easily accessible, directly linked by dual-carriageway and motorway from all main UK centres of population. From the south, follow the M80, M9 and A90 from Glasgow or the M90 from Edinburgh to Perth and Dundee, then the A92 to Carnoustie.
By rail, Carnoustie is on the east coast rail main line. Connecting trains will deliver you direct from most major UK cities, including Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, London, and Bristol.
By air, nearby Dundee is linked directly with London City Airport by scheduled flights provided by ScotAirways. Carnoustie also is within easy travelling distance of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Airports, which offer comprehensive services to major cities in Britain, Europe and beyond. Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports also provide direct flights to the US.
The golfer is spoiled for choice in Angus. The four miles of links land between Monifieth and Carnoustie alone contain six 18-hole courses. Top class courses and a range of facilities for the golfer mean that Carnoustie Country is a true golfing paradise. Carnoustie has three courses - Carnoustie Buddon, Carnoustie Burnside, and Carnoustie Championship. The famous championship course is the great challenge of the area, hosting the British Open again in 2007. Designed by James Braid, this is a truly world-class links course, and anyone who plays to his or her handicap will receive the coveted Carnoustie Medal. Throughout Angus, there are many rewarding courses, including Open qualifiers, set in glorious rolling countryside.
Yes, you may have to book a tee-time well ahead on the most famous courses, but you will be welcomed everywhere you go.
No, but the Championship course at Carnoustie is a challenge to even the most experienced golfer, and generally the quality of the venues encourages every player to raise his or her game.
Surprisingly little for such superb and historic courses. Purchase a Carnoustie Country Golf Pass (£60 in 2007) and play at any three of the 19 courses around the area from Blairgowrie to Buddon, one of which can be an Open qualifier course. And for an extra £74 - play the 2007 Open Championship course.
Or treat yourself to the Carnoustie Country Dream Ticket (£240 and £120 in 2007), which lets you play on four of the world's classic links courses - Montrose, Monifieth, Panmure (all Open qualifiers) and Carnoustie Championship, venue for the 2007 Open Championship.
Angus is blessed with a wealth of accommodation of all kinds, to suit every pocket. From friendly guest-houses and bed & breakfasts to stylish four and five-star establishments overlooking the courses, and gracious castle hotels in leafy country settings, you will find the right welcome for you. See the Carnoustie Country brochure or click on Stay & Play on www.carnoustiecountry.com, which also has links to VisitScotland's national accommodation database, for a great deal.
Angus is Scotland's birthplace, home of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 - the first step to nationhood. Glimpse the lives of the landed gentry in castles and elegant Georgian stately homes, the honest toil of the crofter and weaver as displayed in the fascinating collection at the Angus Folk Museum, or the work of the fisher-folk portrayed at Arbroath Signal Tower Museum. Ride a steam train, swim in a clear loch, climb an ancient corrie. Rich in significant heritage and culture since before the first millennium, the coast and glens of Angus were home to the Picts, the original Scots. They left us a legacy of mysterious carved stones, see them at Pictavia in Brechin or at The Meffan Institute in Forfar. Angus was also the birthplace of J M Barrie, author of Peter Pan, while the regal surroundings of Glamis Castle were the home of the late Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret.
