MARTIN OATES conquers his own personal Everest on a Scottish golf course

THERE the challenge stood before me, its features enhanced by the glorious summer sunlight. Everest, a daunting obstacle which filled me with self doubt. Ten minutes later, I was celebrating its conquest. The successful ascent over, I proudly planted the flag on its summit. This was just one of the memorable moments during a very enjoyable golfing weekend break in the beautiful Scottish Borders.

The Everest in question, was the aptly named 12th hole, the signature hole at the Minto Golf Club, a lovely parkland course where the very welcoming club house has splendid views looking down over the closing holes across the Treviot Valley.

This lovely club is just one of the many courses in the area which can be played as part of the Freedom Of The Fairways passport. A great way to play some exciting picturesque courses with very reasonable green fees.

The second course we played as part of our Scottish expedition was Cardrona, an 18-hole course designed by the well known golf architect, Dave Thomas.

The River Tweed criss crosses the course and it was a delight to play with the steep valley sides of the Tweed Valley providing a dramatic backcloth to the sunlight glistening on the river.

Base camp for our trip was the splendid Peebles Hotel Hydro. A sumptuous building on the outskirts of Peebles, it occupies a splendid southern facing site overlooking the Tweed Valley. It really does cater for all the family.

As we enjoyed the beautiful golf courses mentioned, our wives and my daughter took advantage of a different beauty on offer. This came in the form of the excellent health and beauty salon which offered a comprehensive range of treatments. They relaxed with a facial and manicure whilst we enjoyed the well-manicured greens.

The hotel literature proclaims elegance and excellence and that is exactly what you get.

The original Victorian Peebles Hotel Hydropathic was destroyed by fire in 1905, with the current grand Edwardian building re-opening in 1907.

Hydropathic is a 19th century word for an establishment where people went to take a water cure. Times have changed. A century ago visitors enjoyed a wide choice of water cures prescribed by the resident doctor, now the modern resident can take advantage of the Hydro's leisure complex opened by the Duke of York in 1998 which features a wonderful heated indoor pool, with whirlpool, sauna and steam room.

There really is something for all the family, added to the indoor attractions are a variety of activities to be found in the 30-acre grounds. These include a pitch-and-putt course, tennis, children's playground, or simply enjoy a stroll. The staff were so welcoming and pleasant and the quality of food and service in the restaurant was superb.

The Hydro is a resort in its own right, but is the perfect base from which to explore an area of Scotland that has so much to enjoy.

It lies only 20 miles south of Edinburgh with its obvious attractions and is surrounded by a number of lovely Border towns all steeped in their own history. An area not only ideal for the keen golfer but also one that caters for people with many tastes. Fishing, cycling, walking, horse riding , literature, gardening, sightseeing - all are available in this lowland part of Scotland.

In the past I have missed the Borders on my many trips to Scotland but I recommend this area to any visitor, for it certainly borders on the wonderful.

Fact File

The Freedom of the Fairways Passport is valid between April 1 and October 29. Freedom Of The Fairways adult and junior golf passports are available for three and five days.

All 21 of the golf courses in the Scottish Borders participate in the passport scheme. Offering a superb choice of 18 and nine-hole courses (including one championship standard golf course - The Roxburghe).

A five-day passport, offering up to ten rounds of golf over five consecutive days, costs £80. A three-day passport, offering up to six rounds of golf over three days, costs £55.

For more information, phone Scottish Borders Tourist Board on 0870 608 0404 or look for the golf section on the website www.scot-borders.co.uk

For Information on the Peebles Hotel Hydro, telephone 01721 720602 or visit the website www.peebleshotelhydro.co.uk

Updated: 08:55 Saturday, September 07, 2002