Originally Posted by
Magnus
Each of them is very different from the others, so a best, or favourite kind of boils down to the one you like the most.
Ayr (Flat Summer, Jumps Winter)
Biggest course in Scotland capacity wise with arguably the highest quality at the Scottish National meet (jumps) and the Ayr Gold Cup meet (Flat). Drawback to these are they are absolutely mobbed, even the premier enclosures, with plenty of people just there for a day on the lash. Midweek or minor fixtures and you have few punters rattling around in a big arena with little or no atmosphere.
Perth (Summer Jumps)
Allegedly within one hours travel from Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh so the bigger meetings, usually at the weekends, attract busloads from all over Scotland. One enclosure here, and also at some meets you can park in the centre and picnic although this wont give you access to the parade ring etc. As someone mentioned before, you can often see very high class horses here from Britain and Ireland as their trainers try to get a run or two into them during the summer. Weekend meets busy, midweek can be very pleasant, especially when the weather is nice. Also some evening meets with music etc.
Kelso (Winter Jumps)
About an hour from Edinburgh but feels like a different world out in the border countryside. Small course with old world feel having stone buildings with log fires, corrugated iron 'chicken shed bar and a new brick grandstand with bar and fast food cafe. Members enclosure normally a couple of quid on top but gives you access to extra bars and rooftop viewing. Some good quality meets including the Morebattle Hurdle (Thurs in Feb) and the Premier Chase meet which usually attracts Grand National hopefuls. Often an interesting mix with city people, border folk and a few busloads up from Newcastle and the north of England.
Hamilton (Summer Flat)
'Frying Pan' track where for the longer races horses run the wrong way down the course, circle round the 'frying pan' and finish back up the straight in front of the stands. Not the highest quality racing normally but a very well presented facility with nice bars and good viewing areas. They have evening meets with music on afterwards. One enclosure here as well.
Musselburgh (Flat Summer, Jumps Winter)
One enclosure again and you can watch either from the Grandstand or a stepped viewing area alongside the track. Good quality racing throughout the year including the Cheltenham Trials Meeting over Jumps and the Scottish Sprint Cup on the Flat. Ladies Day is always well attended but probably not a meeting for the racing purist, especially with the Derby on the same day. Has got expensive over the last couple of years with hefty rises in food drink and admission costs but still well run and a good friendly vibe at the moment. This may change in the near future with serious issues with the racecourse staff, the local Council and The BHA. Hopefully all will be resolved.
My order would be Kelso, Perth, Musselburgh, Hamilton, Ayr but could totally understand any permutation of the five.
Also, Hexham is a great place to go if its not chucking it down, and I'm hoping to get to a meet at Cartmel this year.