Welcome to the Home of Golf
Discover the best golf & sightseeing destinations in Scotland
If you’re a passionate golfer with dreams of standing where legends once stood, swinging your club into sea-salted wind, and walking fairways that have witnessed golf’s greatest moments, then, the Home of Golf is your calling. We take you to play the most iconic golf courses on your trip, from the Ayrshire Coast to the Outer Hebrides Islands, from East Lothian to the Scottish Highlands, from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, from world famous courses to off-the-beaten hidden gem courses you never heard of.
But this isn’t just a trip for the golfer in the family. Scotland blends world-famous courses with breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality, creating the ultimate travel experience for golfers, their friends, and families alike. It is one of the most culturally rich and distinctive countries in Europe, offering a tapestry of history, art, music, literature, and living tradition that few places can rival. Whether you’re drawn by the echo of bagpipes across the Highlands, the stirring poetry of Robert Burns, or the buzz of cutting-edge festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe, Scotland is a place where culture isn’t locked in museums; it’s alive in every street, every stone, and every story.
Edinburgh and South East Scotland
Edinburgh is a beautiful old city. The Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are great sites to visit. If you are lucky enough to be in town during the Military Tattoo you’re in for a treat. Gullane and North Berwick are really fun little cities you can enjoy as well, and they both seem to embrasse their golf! You can take a hike up Arthur’s Seat for breathtaking views of Edinburgh. Sample some low country Whisky at Glenkinchie.
While in the area, there are several golfing experiences to savor. The most famous of them is The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, aka Muirfield. Although it is a very private club, they still allow some visitor play during the week. North Berwick Golf Links has very few peers when it comes to links golf, with many famous holes, including the Redan, made famous by the many template exemples throughout the U.S., and Pit, whose green is situated behind a low wall. Musselburgh Links is the oldest course in the world still playing on its original holes and a former Open Championship venue, which can be played with hickory clubs if you’re feeling nostalgic. Gullane possess’s three great links courses. And there are many, many other wonderful links courses, that you couldn’t tire playing.
Sample Itinerary in Edinburgh & surroundings
- Day 1: Fly US – Edinburgh
- Day 2: Private Edinburgh City Highlights Tour
- Day 3: Play Musselburgh – Afternoon Private Whisky Distillery Tour with tastings
- Day 4: Private Transfer to North Berwick
- Day 5: Play North Berwick
- Day 6: Play Dunbar
- Day 7: Cruise to Bass Rock and / or Isle of May
- Day 8: Play Muirfield
- Day 9: Play Gullane
- Day 10: Fly Edinburgh – US
South West Scotland and Islands
Explore The Ayrshire coast and enjoy the rugged natural beauty of it. Take a ferry out to the Isle of Islay, where, as many know, is the home of Islay malt whisky’s. With 9 working distilleries, Islay is a single malt lover’s dream. Drive on the long and winding road from Inverary down to Machrihanish. Yes, this is the road that Paul McCartney was singing about! Many of the islands off of the coast of Scotland offer breathtaking hikes over heather covered mountains.
There are three Open Championship venues on the Ayrshire coast. Prestwick, although no longer used as an Open venue, has hosted more than any other course, and one of the great rounds of golf in the world. Turnberry, for some, is the best of all Open venues, and the site of “The Duel in the Sun”, between Nicklaus and Watson. Troon is a stern test of golf and possesses one of the most famous holes in the world, the postage stamp. Machrihanish is another of the great Scottish links, and its remote location makes it just a little more peaceful and secluded than most other world-class courses of its quality. Further afield, on Islay sits The Machrie, a real charmer. Ardfin is a newer course that has gotten a lot of positive attention as being a world-class course and hotel.
Sample Itinerary in South West Scotland
- Day 1: Fly US – Glasgow
- Day 2: Private Transfer to Troon
- Day 3: Play Turnberry
- Day 4: Play Prestwick and/or Troon
- Day 5: Private Transfer to Machrianish
- Day 6: Play Machrianish
- Day 7: Play Machrianish Dunes
- Day 8: Private Transfer and Ferry Ride to Jura Island
- Day 9: Play Ardfin
- Day 10: Play Machrie, followed by a Private Islay Whisky Tour
- Day 11: Fly Islay – Glasgow – US
Eastern Scotland
Once you cross the Firth of Forth, from Edinburgh, every golfer knows where they are. The home of golf is within striking distance. St. Andrews evokes thoughts of Open Championship golf, of the Swilcan Bridge, The R&A clubhouse, Old Tom Morris. A visit here must be on every golfer’s wish list. Take a walk on the beach where they filmed scenes from Chariots of Fire. After a round on one of the courses, have a pint in the Dunvegan, where golfers have been ending their days in for years. A stroll through St. Andrews, visiting the cathedral ruins, paying respect to Old Tom, and a visit of the castle are also valuable experiences.
Everyone knows The Old Course, the most famous course in the world, for good reason, but there are 6 other courses overseen by the Links Trust, and all good fun. Kingsbarns is a modern masterpiece, just outside of town. Lundin, Leven, Elie, Crail…. well you get the idea. There are so many great old links that deserve equal attention; only an hour away lies one of the most challenging golf courses on the planet, Carnoustie. Do not let that scare you away though, as it is also one of the world’s great courses. Further north outside of Aberdeen sits the venerable Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, with the lovely Murcar links abutting it. If you keep going, and want an adventure, you must play Cruden Bay. It is everything you can ask for in a course, great holes in big dunes, and some whimsical moments. It is impossible to list all of the great places to play and visit here.
Sample Itinerary in Eastern Scotland
- Day 1: Fly US – Edinburgh
- Day 2: Private Transfer to Elie – Afternoon at leisure
- Day 3: Play Elie Golf House
- Day 4: Play Dumbarnie
- Day 5: Play Crail
- Day 6: Play Kingsbarns
- Day 7: Private St Andrews City Highlights Tour
- Day 8: Play New Course
- Day 9: Play Old Course
- Day 10: Play Carnoustie
- Day 11: Fly Edinburgh – US
Northern Scotland
The highlands of Scotland are mythic and breathtaking. With legends of the Loch Ness Monster, the legendary highland distilleries, amazing national parks, and the striking castles, there is so much to see and do. A hike in the Cairngorms is a special experience. Visit Glenlivet, Macallan, or dozens of other distilleries. Take a cruise on the Loch Ness, who knows what you may see!
Royal Dornoch also has a mythic reputation, and is one of the great courses in the world. It is a stern challenge that will test you, yet is also among the more beautiful courses you will ever see. Dornoch is also the hometown of the legendary architect, Donald Ross. To the north of Dornoch lies Golspie and also Brora, which is a unique experience in the dunes with the local cows and sheep grazing. To prevent them from getting on the greens, there are electric fences protecting each one. Nairn is another great links that has been put to the test with a recent Walker Cup. Cabot Highlands is a modern links designed by Gil Hanse, and is about to break ground on a 2nd course, designed by Tom Doak. While driving through the highlands, a visit to Boat of Garten and Spey Valley are beautiful respites from the links courses, as they play through the hills and heather. There are plenty of great options to round out a great trip to the highlands.
Sample Itinerary in Northern Scotland
- Day 1: Fly US – Inverness
- Day 2: Private Inverness City Highlights Tour
- Day 3: Play Cabot Highlands – Afternoon Private Culloden Battlefield Tour
- Day 4: Play Nairn
- Day 5: Play Nairn Dunbar
- Day 6: Private Cairngorms National Park and Whisky Distilleries Tour
- Day 7: Play Royal Dornoch
- Day 8: Play Brora
- Day 9: Private Loch Ness Cruise
- Day 10: Explore the Isle of Skye
- Day 11: Hike The Old Man of Storr
- Day 12: First Class Jacobite Train – Stop in Fort William
- Day 13: Fly Inverness – US
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