Best golf courses in Scotland

Dunes and spectacular views are found at Royal Aberdeen. Meandering through the humps, the front nine is arguably one of the best opening sides in Scotland. Coming home alongside the North Sea is not a disappointment either, with a host of splendid holes and the backdrop to match.

The high standard of links golf in Scotland just doesn’t seem to relent. Over 100 years old, the Ailsa Course at Turnberry regularly appears in the top 20 best golf courses in the world on a variety of rankings. Recently acquired by Donald Trump, renovations have seen the already splendid Ailsa somehow get even better.

Four-time host to the Scottish Open since 2011, Castle Stuart was voted the Best New Course for 2009 by Golf magazine. The links is the personification of contemporary architecture with each hole almost falling into the surrounding terrain. All that is supplemented by captivating views of the Inverness coastline.

The Championship Course is argued to be the best course in the UK never to host an Open. 5-time Champion Tom Watson once said that it was the most fun he’d ever had playing golf. Considered as one of the top 10 courses in the world, Dornoch will not disappoint, even when the famous Scottish showers are around…

The stunning links at Kingsbarns was not built until 2000, but you’ll soon marvel how as it displays an extraordinary sense of maturity. Although not on the Open rota, many argue that the perfectly crafted links is on par with more famous nearby courses. You will instantly fall in love with this modern phenomenon.

Not a lot can be said about the Old Course that hasn’t been said already. It’s a pioneering destination for the game, stooped in the richest of history dating way back to its establishment in 1552. Some of the finest golfers to play the game will tell you that St Andrews is the golfing mecca and that you must experience the magic of the Old Course.

Founded in 1832, this charming test of golf requires your a-game. It regularly holds Open Qualifying when the tournament is hosted nearby and also has some fine views looking out to the North Sea and the Forth estuary. Easily accessible from the A1, the West Links is well worth the journey.

In 2018, the Open returned to Carnoustie for the 8th time. It’s seen some of the most memorable championships in the tournament's history, most notably Frenchman Jean Van de Velde’s meltdown on the 72nd hole in 1999. The Championship Course at Carnoustie is another links classic and one of the best golf courses in Scotland.

Trump International Golf Links, Trump’s latest Scottish exploit is visually spectacular, with many holes shaped by large dunes. It’s not for the faint-hearted either, with many challenging Par 3’s and risk and reward Par 4’s. This is an absolute treat and a must-play for anyone in the area.