Fall in love with the game all over again in Scotland, the birthplace of golf
Playing golf in Scotland is more than just a vacation, it’s a pilgrimage. And it is something that every golfer should experience in their lifetime. This is the very cradle of the game, a country blessed with beautiful scenery, history and culture, plus the small matter of the most historic golf courses on the planet.
From the iconic Open Championship venues of St Andrews, Carnoustie, Turnberry and Prestwick, to the classic Royal links of Dornoch, Aberdeen or Troon, our Scotland golf packages offer you an experience of a lifetime. Wherever you choose to base yourself – Edinburgh, St Andrews, the Highlands or the South West Coast - check out our best-selling Scotland vacations and let us make your golf dreams a reality with a tailor-made golf tour that you’ll never forget.
Why book a golf package to Scotland?
- Scotland is the 'Home of Golf' & where the game began
- Play incredible historic courses dating back to the 15th century
- More golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the world
- From St Andrews to Turnberry – indulge in Open Championship venues
- Explore breath-taking scenery, majestic castles & great pubs
- Immerse yourself in the legendary Scottish hospitality & friendly welcome
The history of the game begins here
Take a pilgrimage to the Home of Golf on your next overseas golf vacation. Follow in the footsteps of Open Championship winners such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods, and experience the birthplace of the game for yourself.
Throughout Scotland, you'll find an abundance of incredible golf throughout the country and the variety of links courses coupled with picturesque scenery will take your breath away. With so many golf-rich areas, and over 550 courses to play, there is no right answer when selecting a golf trip to Scotland.
St Andrews Old Course The history of the game dates back to St Andrews in 1553 and has been synonymous with golf ever since. The Old Course has hosted countless major events since its inception, most notably The Open Championship on 30 occasions. This, combined with the beautiful St Andrews town center and its rich history, has produced one of the world’s best and most in-demand golf courses in the world. It’s THE must-play course in Scotland… check out our tips for getting a tee time on the Old Course.
Carnoustie Golf Links Located 45 minutes north of St Andrews sits another historic links layout with an incredible pedigree. Another regular on The Open rota (8-time host), golf fans will remember Carnoustie best from Jean van de Velde’s epic collapse on the final hole to hand Paul Lawrie The Claret Jug. The course is known for being very difficult when the wind is up, with tricky pot bunkers and very few par-5s to score on. That said, it is one of the very best golf courses in Scotland and ranks within the top 50 in the world on most people’s lists!
Turnberry Ailsa Course Located in southwest Scotland, on-site at the five-star Turnberry Resort, the Ailsa Course is one of the most visually stunning links courses in Scotland. A permanent fixture on the Open rota, this course is in the World top 10 providing fantastic views over the Firth of Clyde. Back in 2015 the course went through a complete facelift upgrading every hole to an extremely high standard, even the famous lighthouse was brought back to life now operating as the new halfway house. As one of the best golf courses in the world, the Ailsa Course is an absolute essential for any Scotland golf trip.
Castle Stuart Golf Links Opening in 2009, Castle Stuart Golf Links lies on the tranquil shores of the Moray Firth in the Scottish Highlands. This classic par-72 links layout is always kept in immaculate condition offering incredible views of the Highlands. Regarded as the best golf course in the area and host to the Scottish Open 3 years in a row, this really is a course to add to your itinerary on any Scotland golf tour.
Kingsbarns Golf Links Situated just a 15-minute drive from St Andrews, rivaling up against some of the most prestigious courses in the area is no easy task. Kingsbarns Golf Links has achieved just that. Golf was first played on the land at Kingsbarns in 1793, and after being rebuilt in 2000, it became the only course to be built on official Scottish links land in over 70 years. Despite being relatively new, Kingsbarns has firmly established itself as a consistent member of the Top 100 Courses in the World and is recognized as a must-play for any golf enthusiast.
Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Many golfers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to experience a round of golf at The Championship Course of Royal Dornoch. Located in the magical Highlands with views across the Dornoch Firth you will find gorse-lined fairways and the famous ‘upturned saucer’ greens. Some would even say that if Royal Dornoch was positioned further down south it would be the 10th course on The Open Championships roster. If you're looking for a course where you can put away the scorecard and take in the magnificent surroundings this is one to add to your itinerary.
Visit the best golf destinations in Scotland
Whether it’s the beautiful Highlands, the rugged West Coast, the ancient Kingdom of Fife, or East Lothian, the deep golfing history combined with spectacular and varied scenery makes Scotland an incredible golf destination.
Top Golf Destinations in Scotland St Andrews As the oldest and most iconic golf destination in the world, St Andrews needs no introduction. This lively town offers incredible golf, countless dining options, and a rich history. From here, you can also travel to nearby courses and resorts, including Carnoustie, Gleneagles, and Kingsbarns.
Edinburgh & East Lothian Experience the best of both worlds in the incredible capital city of Edinburgh, with its rich history, plenty of sightseeing opportunities, and endless restaurants and bars. Just 40 minutes from the city, East Lothian, known as Scotland’s Golf Coast, is a gold mine for golfers with 22 courses and some of the best weather in the country.
Highlands & Inverness There’s truly no experience like the Highlands of Scotland, offering dramatic coastlines, breathtaking landscapes, and some of the best golf courses in the world. Off the course, explore numerous hiking and biking trails, visit iconic castles, and discover magnificent lochs.
South West Scotland Known as the 'birthplace of The Open,' South West Scotland boasts several Open Championship venues and offers a fantastic range of options for a golf tour. As the gateway to all that inland Scotland has to offer, this region is steeped in history and luxury accommodations.
Aberdeen With many top-quality links golf courses near this lively coastal city, Aberdeen is a top location for a golf tour in Scotland. The city features impressive links layouts spread over 165 miles of unspoiled coast, many designed by legends like James Braid and Old Tom Morris. Beyond golf, venture into the vast Cairngorms National Park.
Travel Tips International access is best through either Edinburgh or Glasgow. From there, every region is reachable by car. Although Scotland is a relatively small country with an abundance of wonderful golf courses, we recommend not trying to fit too much into your itinerary. Stick with one or two regions and simply come back again and again!
Popular Scotland golf tour destinations
Best-selling golf trips in Scotland
Discover Scotland's luxury golf resorts & stunning hotels
When it comes to accommodation, rather like the golf, visitors really are spoilt for choice in Scotland. From five-star stay & play golf resorts to boutique hotels and intimate B&Bs, we offer multiple options to suit all personal tastes, group types, and budgets.
One thing you will never forget is the legendary 'full Scottish breakfast' that sets you up perfectly for the day.
Some of the best golf resorts in Scotland include:
- Gleneagles – renowned for its luxury and elegance, Gleneagles is tough to beat. Featuring three on-site golf courses, a luxury spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant in the hotel, it’s the perfect Scottish golf resort.
- Trump Turnberry – located on the West Coast of Scotland, Trump Turnberry provides five-star luxury and features the well-renowned Ailsa Course on-site, a four-time Open Championship host.
- Fairmont St Andrews – set in 520 acres of idyllic coastal setting, this fantastic five-star resort is just minutes from the Old Course and lies in the spiritual heart of the game, with two championship golf courses on-site.
If stay & play resorts like Turnberry aren't what you're looking for, a Scotland golf tour is a prime option to visit must-play courses across regions such as Ayrshire and East Lothian.
Golf travel tips for Scotland
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Add a little something extra to your Scottish golf package
Aside from the golf, Scotland is an exciting and enchanting country to explore, with so much to see and do. From the abundance of historic castles, tartan mills and whisky distilleries, it is a magical land filled with myth and legend.
For sightseeing From the spectacular countryside, littered with breath-taking mountains, lochs and glens to the lively cities, Scotland is graced with unlimited sightseeing opportunities. Perhaps on your travels you will spot the legendary Loch Ness Monster, encounter a tartan kilted Highlander, or hear the unmistakable sound of bagpipes. There is also a world of history to explore across the country, through romantic castles and fascinating museums.
For the great outdoors As the biggest region in the country, nothing beats the beautiful Highlands of Scotland when it comes to the great outdoors! With Loch Ness right in the middle, more than 30,000 other stunning lochs to explore, and vast mountain ranges, you're in for a real treat.
For whiskey and pubs The best place to try local whiskey produce would definitely be Speyside in the Highlands, as it's the most densely populated whiskey region in the world! For charming local pubs, St Andrews or Edinburgh come out on top.
Wherever you go you are in for a real treat.
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