Visitors to North-East Scotland can enjoy golf all through the winter at some of the fine courses in the Grampian mountains, and surrounding the port and city of Aberdeen. Many are open 365 days a year: when the club houses are not open an 'honesty box' allows golfers to pay the discounted green fees and enjoy the peaceful fairways.

Some of the area's golf courses welcoming visitors throughout the year include:

Ballindalloch Castle - 18 holes set on the banks of rivers Spey and Avon and near to the famous whisky distilleries of Glenfiddich and Glenlivet (Tel: 01807 500305, green fees £7.50)

Tarland - in the heart of Royal Deeside, a parkland nine-hole course (Tel: 01339 881000, green fees £5.)

Moray - a challenging links course at Lossiemouth overlooking the southern shores of the Moray Firth (Tel: 01343 812018, green fees £15.)

Visitors can combine their golfing holiday with a visit to one of the local distilleries to sample the malt whisky or explore the wealth of history on the castle trail. The city of Aberdeen sits on the east coast of the Grampian region which is home to Balmoral Castle, the holiday home of Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family. Information, tel: 01224 288828.

Website: www.golf-grampian.com