I was delighted to read the negative story about golfing in Scotland, which evidently appears in Bermuda Tourism's North American newspaper and radio ads, but less so with the Scottish Tourist Board's accurate factual reply.

My pleasure came because I'd hoped that the increasing hoards of tourists to Scotland would decline and that the very many golf courses would become less busy.

It is now wise to book a starting time -- which was quite unnecessary twenty years ago when I first went golfing in Scotland. I have returned ten times.

Accommodation varies from renting a stationary caravan, a house, Bed and Breakfasts or staying at small hotels which are often large houses.

This is an old country, not tourist oriented. Apart from Gleneagles, Turnberry, the old course at St. Andrews and a few other 5-star hotels, accommodation is inexpensive, caddies non-existent, and only a few golf carts are available.

You should take a light bag, ten clubs and a shower proof jacket. In mid-summer there is daylight enough to play until 10.30 (p.m.) This is when the local members play.

Every small village has its own course or is within a fifteen-minute drive of one.

I go only between May and October (usually to fit school holidays) and so do most wealthy Americans and Europeans, very few of whom know Scotland.

The weather in September is usually cool, sunny with low humidity and the occasional showery days. My letters home are full of complaints about endless sunshine. The west coast can be wet and misty. I don't stay there.

When Salmon (Atlantic) abounded I would golf every morning, then rest, sleep or go horse racing on Channel 4 in the afternoons and fly fish for Salmo-Salmaris until after midnight.

The avid golfers in the bar would pray for good weather, the fishermen prayed for rain to make the river rise. I whole-heartedly joined both! Let me tell you how I enjoy golfing in Scotland -- my `do nots' are personal: Do not take a package tour. You will be organised, hurried and driven by us.

Do rent a big car for your party. Rent it at Edinburgh Airport and head North on the A9. Motoring at 75 mph is a great pleasure after the confines of our little Island.

Trunk roads are excellent and not busy, others are just like Bermuda. You should head for Central Scotland and set up a permanent base. I choose Taymouth Castle and the hotel at Kenmore.

Having a base disposes of nightly packing and unpacking. Accommodation at Kenmore is on the Taymouth Castle course. All courses can be reached on a daily outing (St. Andrews is about 1 1/2 hours away).

There are two courses about five minutes drive from Kenmore and two more close, ten minutes to Aberfeldy and 40 minutes to Killin. You will find yourself motoring wonderous scenery.

Do not stay for less than three weeks.

Do not stay anywhere south of Dunkeld. Head for the Highlands, motor as the spirit takes you to Edinburgh, Perth, Stirling or Oban. I have never seen a bog -- but there are some up north in Sutherlandshire.

For full enjoyment, before you fly to Scotland read Elizabeth Fraser's little book "Illustrated History of Scotland'' and study scale road maps marking the courses you want.

The Open Championship is at Carnoustie in 1999, this course will be closed for preparation.

Great links grace the village of Kenmore, in Scotland TOURISM TOU