Scotland's only Grade 1 racecourse is undergoing a huge development which will see it emerge as a world-class racing venue. The course is home to the Scottish Grand National in April and the Ayr Gold Cup in September.

Although it is thought that racing has taken place at Ayr since the 16th Century, the first official meeting recorded in the Racing Calendar took place in 1777. The first two runnings of the Ayr Gold Cup were won by Chancellor, in 1804 and 1805. In 2003, the racecourse management put together a £35 million pound redevelopment scheme which will transform Scotland's most prestigious racecourse into a venue that will truly rival the best racecourses in the world.

Situated on the west coast of Scotland, the racecourse is close to the centre of Ayr, with excellent links by rail and road. A continuous bus service operates between the train station and the racecourse before the first race and after the last. The nearest airports are at Prestwick and Glasgow.

The only dedicated Flat racing track in Scotland, Hamilton Park is best known for its evening race meetings, including the ever-popular Saints and Sinners Charity Night in June.

Known by some as the "Goodwood of the North" (others call Goodwood the "Hamilton of the South), the two courses have a similar "buttonhook" course with right-handed loop at the bottom and a stiff uphill straight. Racing is thought to have taken place in Hamilton as early as 1782, when horses competed in a series of four mile heats for a purse of 50 guineas (a guinea equates to £1.05). However, the action didn't move to its current site until 1926. On 18 July 1947 Hamilton Park became the first racecourse in Britain to stage evening racing and the course is still known for the fabulous atmosphere at its summer evening fixtures. Particularly famous is the Saints & Sinners Charity racemeeting in mid June - an evening of horseracing and socialising in stylish surroundings. The Saints & Sinners Charity has been raising funds for many small Scottish and local causes for 40 years.

Situated close to the M74 near Glasgow, Hamilton Park is easy to get to by road, air and all forms of public transport.

Situated in the heart of the Scottish Borders, just to the north of the town centre, Kelso is known as "Britain's Friendliest Racecourse".

The log fires in the Grandstand are a homely touch and add to the relaxed atmosphere of the course. The track stages jump racing throughout the winter months from October until May. Valuable fixtures include the two day Kelso Carnival in the late spring each year. Throughout the years Kelso has become a mecca for the Border families and farmers, steeped in the traditions of hunting, who own and breed some of the best hunters in the country. The racecourse itself has large, solid steeple chase fences and a long uphill run-in. Consequently, many trainers use the January and February meetings as a trial for the National Hunt Festival and Aintree, bringing top-grade jumpers to the Border's premier racecourse.

Kelso racecourse is most easily reached by road through some of the most idyllic countryside in Britain, including a wonderful array of romantic ruins including abbeys, castles and tower houses. There are golf courses and plenty of hotels and places to eat in the surrounding towns.

Kelso Racecourse
18 - 20 Glendale Rd, Wooler, Northumberland NE71 6DW
Tel. 01668 280800
www.kelso-races.co.uk
info@kelso-races.co.uk

Originally known as Edinburgh Races, with meetings held on Leith Sands, horseracing has been staged in the area for hundreds of years. One of the most recent courses to develop a jumping track, Musselburgh is one of two courses in Scotland that races both on the flat and over obstacles. The racecourse management has also recently redeveloped the main grandstands, entrance and parade ring area, creating some of the best facilities for racegoers in the country. Future projects include a new stable yard and the addition of an all-weather track, which would increase the number of fixtures run at the course.

Just eight miles from the centre of Edinburgh, Musselburgh racecourse is easily accessible by plane, train or car.

Musselburgh Racecourse
Linkfield Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 7RG
Tel. 0131 6652859
www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk
info@musselburghracecourse.co.uk

Set within the grounds of Scone Palace, Perth racecourse was recently described by Racing Post journalist, David Ashforth, as "a little slice of heaven".

The racing is over jumps and the fun kicks off each year with the acclaimed three day Perth Festival in April, rolling on throughout the summer. Other highlights include the Perth Gold Cup in June and the Gig at the Races in August.

Set within the historic grounds of Scone Palace, the view from the grandstand is one of the most impressive in Britain. In April 1978, Jonjo O'Neill rode five winners from five rides at Perth - one of the best riding performances in the history of jump racing. In 1988 the legendery Berwickshire hunter-chaser, Flying Ace won the 50th race of his remarkable career at the Perth May Meeting. Tony McCoy rode the 250th winner of his record-breaking season at Perth in May, 1998. Perth's Festival Meeting was first staged in April 1989 and is now firmly established as one of the best fixtures in the British racing calendar.

Several two or even three-day race meetings ensure that Perth is an excellent destination for short racing breaks. The track is easily accessible from the south, being just 3 miles from the motorway network - either the M90 from Edinburgh or the A9 from Glasgow. The course is just 40 minutes from Edinburgh airport and is also close to the mainline train station.

Perth Racecourse
Scone Palace Park, Perth. PH2 6BB
Tel. 01738 551597
www.perth-races.co.uk
sam@perth-races.co.uk