Niall,
It's all wonderful. I just hope they have some money set aside to help Nairn re-do their course!
Jon,
You're entitled to you view. My wife's family has lived in the Highlands for 50 years. My observations are echos more from what THEY feel and see. My takes and what I see are in concert with their views. I've been around. Sadly, I've witnessed firsthand, EXACTLY where that area is going... in other remote locales. It ain't good pards. Believe what you want.
Who's saying that 20 years of suspended animation was in order? Certainly not me! Why not re-develop in existing footprints on land that has already been altered. Why do we so often have to carve up yet more ground and push more resource consumption simply to try an extract a profit?
There will always be fierce defenders of the "progress" mantra. Let's look at our record of global stewardship with a sharp eye. Fish stocks decimated worldwide, up to 70% plus of the world's species depleted. Over-fertilized farming, to grow food for a ballooning planet populace, that leaves huge plume zones of oxygen depleted sea-water where nothing can live. Bottled water everywhere...nuff said there. Engineered food and the standard tastless, supermarket veg, accompanied by hormone laden meat and poultry. C'mon, if you think that's all good, and overtaxed resources and irresponsible development are the bedfellows of the previously mentioned...enjoy.
With respect, area course rates HAVE gone up. Only a teetering global economy has kept it from being worse. I am aware of the locals discount at CS. Remember, CS opened during the global plummet. How did that visitor rate square with what was transpiring? Visitor golfing numbers had dropped markedly during that intervening period. They are slowly on the upturn, thankfully, but make no mistake, the milk and honey days are in the distant future.
Where have daily visitor rates DROPPED ANYWHERE at a course of note in the Highlands? Worldwide, many regions elsewhere have somewhat reduced pricing to reflect the economic realities. I'm not talking stay and play discounts or other bundled, course-play schemes, I'm talking a 5-10 quid REDUCTION in the daily visitor rate. Please tell me where so I can schedule a round there when I'm across next?
I'm not mis-informed on rates or numbers; as an RD member, both, including visitor numbers, are provided to me in black and white, EVERY year. Brora, Golspie,Tain and all the rest set their rate numbers off of RD's lead. If you don't think RD's management looks at that CS rate, your're kidding yourself. It may be different on the odd year, but I've been going up there for extended stays since 1998, and that IS generally the way it trends.
My TREMENDOUS fondness for Scotland, and the Highlands in particular, is well known to all who have spent some time with me. I implore folks, particularly golfers, to make the trip to the Highlands. It's an epic place...fast losing the qualites that make it special! They better get there even quicker, because the pincers of "progress" are on the move.
Respectfully,
Kris
