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By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

For most of us, a golf trip across the pond to Scotland is a trip with a mission -- to play as much golf as possible. While this is perfectly understandable, there is a limit on the amount of golf most are able to play comfortably in the short space of a weeklong trip.

Hamilton Park race track is close to all of Ayshires links golf.

Though some may set out with every intention of playing more than 18 holes a day, walking golf courses, especially those wind-blown links layouts, can quickly become a tiring business. Dreams of tackling 36 holes a day may be possible for fit youngsters, but for those of us who are a little older and maybe not quite as sprightly as we thought, the dream has an inclination to fade away quite quickly. This after all is supposed to be a vacation, not work, and vacations are to be enjoyed.

It's no sin to resign yourself to the fact that one 18-hole round a day with perhaps even a full day away from golf entirely at mid-trip, may well be plenty enough of the Royal & Ancient game to handle. What to do with those off-course hours? Scotland offers an amazing array of activities and something to please just about everyone.

From exploring ancient castles or visiting whisky distilleries to shopping and museum visits or experiencing the beautiful countryside, there are plenty of options to keep you enjoyably occupied during those off-course hours. No matter what might tickle your fancy, it's probably only going to enhance your Scottish vacation experience.

Steeple chasing is one of the most thrilling forms of horse racing in Scotland.

But don't just fall back on the obvious, chances are if you enjoy golf there are other sports experiences that are likely to have an equal appeal, especially if they don't require too much in the way of exercise. It may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but a day (or even a half day) at the horse races is not only good fun, but will show you another side of Scottish life. Unlike horse racing down south (in England) Scottish horseracing is not considered as the sport of Kings. You will quickly discover that far from being an elitist pastime, horse racing is a sport of the people, taking on far more of a party atmosphere where informality reigns supreme and everyone is there to have a good time.

There are 5 horse racing tracks in Scotland and all are conveniently situated in or very close to prime golf country. They are all rather small when compared to racetracks back home, only enhancing the informal and very friendly atmosphere they all exude. They share around 100 days of racing per year, starting in January and running throughout the year, until December, with the heaviest concentration of racing taking place between April and September.

Musselburgh race track literally surrounds the Old Links.

There are two distinct types of horse racing in Britain -- Jump racing or Steeple chasing, where horse and rider have to jump over obstacles during the race. The obstacles come in the form of either small hurdles (no more than 42 inches high), which can be knocked over by the horse, or rather substantial fences, often accompanied by a water hazard. The fences, which can be as high as 58 inches, are decidedly immovable and can cause horses to fall and riders to be thrown. Flat racing involves no obstacles

Typically, first races get off at around 2:00 p.m. with the last race at about 5:00 p.m., though during the summer months, evening races are held when the first race gets off at around 6:00 p.m. Whether you attend a day or an evening fixture, you will be seeing not only some of the best race horses in Scotland, but the pride of Irish and English racing as well. Don't let the informality lead you to believe the Scots are anything but very serious when it comes to their horse racing.

Close to Perth race track, Scone Palace, where Scotland's Kings were crowned.

Scotland's 5 racetracks are all close to either Edinburgh or Glasgow

Hamilton Park is 13 miles south of Glasgow and only a 30-minute drive from Troon and the famous links courses of Scotland's west coast. An extensive refurbishment has made this one of Scotland's most attractive racing facilities. Hamilton Park offers only flat racing.

Ayr, Scotland's premiere racetrack has been in its current location since 1907 though racing started here back in 1777. Ayr is host to Scotland's most famous steeplechase, The Scottish Grand National, which is run every April. Located less than an hour southwest of Glasgow, Royal Troon and the famous links layouts of Ayrshire are all close at hand. Ayr offers both flat and jump racing.

The Roxburghe Golf Club, one of Britains Top 100 courses, is close to Kelso race track.

Musselburgh is a track with a special affiliation to golf as it literally surrounds the world's oldest playing course, the nine-hole Musselburgh Old Course. Muirfield, Gullane, North Berwick, Luffness New and 20 other courses are all within a 15-minute drive and Edinburgh is only a little further. Horse racing has been held here since 1816. Musselburgh stages both flat and jump racing.

Perth sits picturesquely in the grounds of historic Scone Palace (well worth visiting while you here) and is within 15 minutes of Gleneagles and only 40 minutes from St. Andrews and the multitude of golfing pleasures to be found in the Kingdom of Fife. Perth offers only jump racing.

Kelso is a charming market town and home to one of the friendliest racetracks to be found in all of Britain. Situated in the region known as the Borders, little over a half hours drive south of Edinburgh, the excellent Roxburghe Golf Club is nearby, Again, Kelso only stages jump racing.

Each of the tracks offers attractively priced packages and for less than the cost of most green fees, provides admission to the club enclosure, a full lunch or dinner and other goodies. Of course how much more the excursion is likely to cost depends entirely upon how kind Lady Luck chooses to be.

A day at the Scottish races is guaranteed to be great fun, a chance to forget any shortcomings in your golf game and an opportunity to experience another side of Scotland.

To check on which racetracks will be operating during your Scotland golf trip, click here or contact Golf International at 800-833-1389.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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