Article Source: VisitScotland
Last Updated: 10 August 2019 9:45
The 2019 Solheim Cup will be one of the biggest family friendly events ever held in Scotland – with free entry and activity for children adding to the once in a lifetime opportunity to see 24 of the best female golfers in the world.
The event will include a host of activities for all the family to enjoy at Gleneagles this September (9th - 15th) from mini tractor driving to story-telling. All under 16s will be admitted free to the event.
While cheering on the world’s elite female golfers from Europe and the USA, the Spectator Village, which will sit alongside the first tee and purpose-built grandstand, will be the hub for the programme of family activities. Families can opt to stay there, enjoy everything going on while taking in the action on screens throughout the Village, or get out on the course to follow the progress of Team Europe, captained by Scot Catriona Matthew.
Despite there being five weeks to go until the championship tees off in Perthshire, the event has already allocated three times more children’s tickets than the initial target set. It is expected that in excess of 3,000 children will attend the event.
Before the tournament starts, tickets for the practice days on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are free for adults and children. Under-16s will gain free entry to the opening ceremony on the Thursday, which features a host of entertainment including headline act Texas, and the actual competition days on Friday and Saturday and the final on Sunday.
The family activities include everything from play areas, storytelling and a golf zone to family friendly food areas and a quiet zone to chill out in.
What’s on offer for families at The 2019 Solheim Cup:
1. ON-SITE FAMILY PARKING – There will be a number of parking spaces dedicated to families just a five-minute walk from all the activities. If you wish to book a space in the family car park, tickets are priced from £5, and must be booked in advance at www.solheimcup2019.com
2. THE GOLF ZONE – Kids can try their hand at driving, putting and chipping by hitting balls in the specially-designed interactive Golf Zone, as well as taking part in a long-putt competition.
3. FAMILY AREA – This is for younger children and is in the process of being finalised. It will be a place where parents can have a coffee as their children enjoy arts and crafts, storytelling and a play area (this is aimed at babies to under-7s) – after the competition, the contents of this area will be donated to Perth & Kinross Council to pass on to local community groups.
4. JOHN DEERE TRACTORS – The agricultural giant will be bringing along mini diggers and tractors for children to ride.
5. CATERING – Unlike some outdoor public events, catering trucks at the Spectator Village will be introducing children’s menus so even the fussiest eaters will be satisfied.
6. OPENING CEREMONY – The Spectator Village will host the main stage for the opening ceremony on the Thursday, where there will be a full day of music, dancing and entertainment for families, headlined by Texas.
7. QUIET ZONE – For those who wish to escape the crowds, there is an autism-friendly chill out area where new mums can also breastfeed.
8. CELEBRITY PLAY-OFFS – As part of the launch of The Solheim Cup on the opening day (Thursday), there will be well-known faces and Scottish junior golfers taking part in an exhibition challenge match.
9. AUTOGRAPH ZONE – Players from both European and American teams will be on hand to meet and inspire young people as well as autograph caps and other golf memorabilia. This is also a great photo opportunity for selfies. Remember to share your photos on social media using The Solheim hashtag #itallleadstothismoment
10. MERCHANDISE STALLS – There will be plenty of mementos for purchase in the merchandise tent, which will stock golf-related clothing and products in a wide range of children’s sizes too. Some of the exhibition units in the Spectator Village will also be giving away free goodies too!
People can request up to six children’s tickets along with each paying adult. Adult tickets for The Solheim Cup cost from £25. To book to attend “the most family-friendly golf event in history”, visit www.solheimcup2019.com
Some of the latest horror blockbusters – alongside creepy classics, enchanting family favourites and the ever-popular Twilight Saga – will all be heading to Vue venues this Halloween.
READ MOREChristmas has come early as Dobbies Garden Centres kicks off the season in style at its Christmas Launch Weekend which takes place from Thursday 9th to Monday 13th October.
READ MOREChildren's Classic Concerts return with their popular Halloween concert performances in Glasgow and Edinburgh later this month!
READ MORELanark Amateur Musical Society (LAMS) have announced local charity ‘The Brian Reilly Music Fellowship’ (BRMF) as Charity Partner for their 2026 Production of We Will Rock You!
READ MOREGlobal indoor leisure and recreation concept SuperPark will make its UK debut at Braehead Shopping Centre, bringing experience-led leisure to the centre next year!
READ MOREThe Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, Scotland's national music prize, has today revealed the 20 outstanding albums on 2025's Longlist.
READ MOREFor the first time, Beatson Cancer Charity has joined forces with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service to highlight the vital role blood donors play in the treatment of blood cancers.
READ MOREConnolly's Cumbernauld Flourish is a community celebration of Billy Connolly's life and the legendary comedian's connection to Cumbernauld.
READ MOREBeat the Street, the free active travel game has launched for the residents of Cambuslang and Rutherglen.
READ MOREGet ready for a thrilling mix of creativity, mystery and starlit wonder at New Lanark this autumn.
READ MORERenowned tribute band Supreme Queen will bring their spectacular live production to The Town House, Hamilton, Friday 26th September as part of their nationwide UK tour.
READ MOREScotland's premier five-star luxury wedding destination, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled a new decadent wedding menu crafted exclusively by world-renowned Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
READ MOREPaisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MOREEdinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORECineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MOREMarston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MOREÒran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MOREM&D's is set to transform into Scotland's Scream Park with the launch of Zombie Checkpoint, a live action immersive horror experience creating a heart racing adventure not for the faint hearted.
READ MORETopgolf Glasgow is bringing a taste of the gridiron to Scotland this autumn with the launch of its brand-new Field Goal Challenge game.
READ MOREIconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MOREThe Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORELove Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MOREIt might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MOREBusiness Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MOREA new role-play experience is popping up in community venues across Greater Glasgow this month bringing pint-sized professions and plenty of pretend fun to preschoolers and their families.
READ MORESouth Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture is delighted to present a special evening featuring two of Scotland's best-loved voices: Peter MacQueen and Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker.
READ MOREVikings, a pie eating competition, new celebrated chef and dog & duck shows set to bring new energy to Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival this September.
READ MOREThe winners of the 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards were unveiled on the 26th of August at a glittering, Oscars-themed ceremony held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh Butter Company has announced the return of its ‘Scotland’s Best Croissant’ competition on Monday 13th October.
READ MORE