Rare chance to see the Claret Jug up close

THE Claret Jug – one of golf's most iconic trophies – is heading to the Capital as part of a whirlwind tour of Scotland ahead of the 150th Open Championship.

The trophy comes to Edinburgh tomorrow at the Royal Bank of Scotland branches at St Andrew Square and the West End.

Golf fans can get up close with the prestigious prize and even get their picture taken with it as a memento.

It will be on display at the St Andrew Square branch from about 9:15am to noon before it travels to RBS's West End branch from 1:15pm until 4pm.

RBS is patron of The Open, and will also be showcasing the trophy – first awarded in 1873 – at outlets in Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, Falkirk, Dundee and St Andrews among others.

Hazel Reid, RBS senior bank manager for the St Andrew Square office, said: "The Claret Jug is possibly the most renowned trophy in golf and the history that goes with it makes it a very special sporting award.

"This is a great opportunity for RBS to use our involvement in The Open to give golf fans and RBS customers the chance to see and be photographed with this celebrated trophy."

The Claret Jug has been kept at the clubhouse of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews since 1928.