In the end I played at Powfoot. The weather forecast last Tuesday suggested that earlier was better than later, so I decided to break the journey from Lytham to Glasgow Airport at the halfway stage, rather than play upon reaching the destination. I enjoyed Powfoot, with a dozen decent seaside holes and perhaps half a dozen less gripping holes further inland, and I know that Jim McCann has long been a supporter of what is in some ways an engagingly old-fashioned holiday course, with one or two nicely archaic touches around the clubhouse (like the ball-drop). Powfoot also features in Frank Pennink's Golfer's Companion, which has never ever been found wanting as a source of worthwhile recommendations. So an enjoyable, and reasonable (£40) outing, and one worth repeating for those heading north up (or south down) the M74 without the time to get Southerness or the even more wondrous Silloth on the other side of the estuary.
After Powfoot's gentle excitements came 108 holes of foursomes in three days at Prestwick, Luffness and Muirfield, with dinners and lunches as appropriate. An entirely different world (to quote Herb Warren Wind). I hadn't played at any of these storied venues for over 15 years, and the very dry Scottish spring meant that each was in amazingly keen and bouncy seaside condition for end-April. Not for the first time, I felt I was a very lucky boy indeed.
Anyway, the recommendations around Glasgow Airport will have to await another trip, but thanks so much to all for their encouraging and helpful inputs - much appreciated.
Richard 30.4.17