Kylie Walker’s Scotland

The two-time LET tournament champion gives us a guided tour to her home country ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Archerfield Links.

Where are you born and where is it exactly in the country?

I was born in Glasgow and I have always lived just north of the city in a small country village called Drymen. The village attracts a lot of tourists because it is very close to the east side of Loch Lomond.

What is the best thing about your country?

The countryside and scenery is beautiful. On a bright sunny day, there’s no place like home 🙂

Tell us something about the festivities in Scotland: what do you do and where do you go?  

Weddings are great fun in Scotland. They usually have a piper playing the bagpipes greeting guests at the church and then some ceilidh dancing at the reception. Also New Year’s Celebrations AKA Hogmanay is pretty special: Scots know how to have fun.

What’s your favourite place in Scotland and why?

I love Loch Lomond because it’s so picturesque and close to home. I have great memories of the Loch as we spent a lot of time there as a family when we were younger.

Name some typical food and drinks from your area that you love.

I love a roll and square sausage for breakfast when I come home and for dinner haggis, neeps and tatties is the best! Irn-bru is my favourite Scottish drink as I’m not a whiskey drinker.

Be our travel guide… what places would you recommend us to visit in your country?

The west coast of Scotland is brilliant for hill walking and climbing Munros. Aviemore is great for Skiing and St Andrews is the best place for golf.

When you are not on tour, how do you spend a typical weekend?  

I love seeing my friends and doing a bit of shopping in Glasgow and then I love a good BBQ with family.

What is the most popular sport in your country? Give us an example of how popular it is. 

Football is the number one sport in Scotland. People are very passionate about the sport. The newspapers sport section often cover 10 pages of football before getting to any other sport.

What about golf and women’s golf?

We have so many great golf courses in Scotland and there are a lot more opportunities now for kids to play golf so hopefully the game will continue to grow in our country. 

What are your favourite sports and teams that you support? Do you attend any games?  

I love watching tennis and I’m a big supporter of Andy Murray. I haven’t had the chance to go and watch him at Wimbledon yet but hopefully next year.

Who is your favourite celebrity/personality/idol from your country that you are really proud of and why?

My favourite Scottish Idol is Sir Chris Hoy for all he has achieved in cycling and also for raising the profile of sport in Scotland.

Who is your favourite golf player from your country?

My favourite female golfer is Catriona Matthew and male golfer is Stephen Gallacher.

Which are your favourite athletes?

I loved watching the Commonwealth Games recently in Glasgow. The Scottish athletes did amazing and had their best Commonwealth performance ever in front of the home support. 

What do you miss from home when you travel?

The fresh cold air.

Is there something unusual from your country that you could explain to us?

The concept of ‘Taps Aff’ – basically when temperatures reach a balmy 14 degrees and its fairly sunny, Glaswegian men, regardless of their age, shape and size, will instinctively whip their tops off in public because it’s ‘Taps Aff’ weather.

What are your favourite “Scottish” sayings? 

Well most of them are rude…but I love: ”oh ya belter” which means ”oh that’s great.”