Here at Sports Tourism Media we love a bit of golf – and we also love Scotland. Okay, we’re definitely not good enough to be swinging with the best of ’em on the top golf courses in the home of golf, but every hacker can dream, right?

In this round-up – which is pretty much our Scotland golf travel bucket list – we pick out some of Scotland’s best “stay and play” golf resorts and hotels (ranked in no particular order).

These places are so picturesque that even if your game isn’t up to scratch, they’re worth a visit just to admire the scenery. And there’s the bonus of a dram or two of Scotch, of course…

Did you know?

The East Lothian region is known as “Scotland’s golf coast”. Along 30 miles of coastal terrain there are 21 Scottish golf courses, which makes it the “greatest concentration of championship links golf courses in the world”. That’s a golf travel bucket list in itself…

Top image: The Machrie Islay (themachrie.com)

Gleneagles

• Big golf events: host of the 2014 Ryder Cup and 2019 Solheim Cup
• Where: Perthshire, Scotland
• Golf facilities: three championship golf courses – The King’s Course, The Queen’s Course, PGA Centenary Course; nine-hole “Wee Course”; practice facilities including driving range, short game area and two putting areas; home to the PGA National Academy for Scotland
• Other facilities and activities: five-star luxury hotel accommodation; indoor tennis centre; Gleneagles Equestrian School; Gleneagles Shooting School; Gleneagles Gundog School; trout lochs; shooting; tennis; riding; off-road driving; falconry; cycling; archery; fishing
• Website: gleneagles.com 
• Book through our affiliates: LastMinute.com

The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa

• Big golf events: The Old Course has hosted The Open Championship and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
• Where: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
• Golf facilities: standing alongside the 17th hole of The Old Course; 11 golf courses around the hotel; its own championship course, The Duke’s; indoor golf simulator; The Duke’s Golf Academy at St Andrews; golf packages 
• Other facilities and activities: Old Course Hotel; Hamilton Grand apartments; Kohler Waters Spa & Fitness Centre; The Jigger Inn “the most famous 19th hole in golf”; Road Hole Restaurant; Swilcan Loft restaurant; Hams Hame Pub & Grill  
• Website: oldcoursehotel.co.uk

The Machrie Islay 

• Where: Isle of Islay, Scotland 
• Golf facilities: championship links golf course; putting green; driving range; six-hole “Wee Course”; pro shop
• Other facilities and activities: rooms, suites and lodges; spa treatment rooms, gym and sauna; cinema; multiple dining and lounging options; country pursuits, including fishing and shooting
• Website: themachrie.com 

Fairmont St Andrews 

• Where: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
• Golf facilities: two championship golf course – The Kittocks and The Torrance; pro shop; practice facility; golf lessons 
• Other facilities and activities: luxury guestrooms, suites and villas; 520-acre grounds; St Andrews Bar & Grill Restaurant; Fairmont St Andrews Spa
• Website: fairmont.com

Dundonald Links 

• Big golf events: host of the Ladies Scottish Open (2015, 2016 and 2017); Scottish Open (2017); Women’s Scottish Open (2022 and 2023); final qualifying for The Open Championship (2023-2026)
• Where: Ayrshire, Scotland
• Golf facilities: par-72 championship course designed by Kyle Phillips; clubhouse; driving range; short game area; practice greens; luxury golf lodges; golf packages
• Other facilities and activities: hotel rooms; luxury golf lodges; state-of-the-art gym; Canny Crow restaurant; the whisky room
• Website: dundonaldlinks.com

Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

• Big golf events: hosted the Solheim Cup and Scottish Seniors Open
• Where: Kirknewton, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Golf facilities: two 18-hole golf courses – The East Course and The West Course; nine-hole pitch & putt course; golf academy; putting green; 12-bay floodlit driving range; pro shop
• Other facilities and activities: 215 rooms and suites; restaurants and bars; indoor heated swimming pool; gym; sauna and steam room; yoga and fitness classes; jogging trail; outdoor floodlit tennis courts; 1,000 acres of private grounds; outdoor activities 
• Website: dalmahoyhotelandcountryclub.co.uk 

Trump Turnberry

• Big golf events: host of The Open Championship 
• Where: Ayrshire, Scotland 
• Golf facilities: two 18-hole courses – Ailsa course and King Robert the Bruce course; nine-hole course; The Golf Academy at Trump Turnberry; putting facility; pro shop
• Other facilities and activities: 204 guest rooms and suites; two-bedroom suite at The Turnberry Lighthouse; self-catering cottages, apartments and villas; 800 acres of grounds; Turnberry Adventures outdoor pursuits; restaurants and bars; The Spa at Turnberry
• Website: trumphotels.com

SCHLOSS Roxburghe

• Where: Heiton by Kelso, Scotland
• Golf facilities: 18-hole Roxburghe Championship Golf Course
• Other facilities and activities: luxury hotel accommodation; luxury Scottish Cottages; Estate House (58 additional rooms); SCHLOSS Spa; 300 acres of land (which includes 2.5 miles of the River Teviot, Trout Loch, beautiful parkland and estate gardens); Shooting Centre; Country Sports Centre; Charlie’s restaurant 
• Websites: schlosshotel-roxburghe.com; roxburghe-golf.com; hyatt.com

Cameron House

• Where: Loch Lomond, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland
• Golf facilities: The Carrick 18-hole championship course; Wee Demon nine-hole course; The Clubhouse; golf breaks; golf days; tuition with PGA professionals; chipping and putting area
• Other facilities and activities: bedrooms and suites; Loch Lomond Lodges; restaurants and bars; Cameron Spa at Cameron Club; leisure club; adventures “on the land, on the Loch, in the sky”
• Website: cameronhouse.co.uk  

Rusacks St Andrews

• Where: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland 
• Golf facilities: multiple courses nearby; golf bag storage and club rental; private putting green on the terrace of 18 rooftop restaurant and bar
• Other facilities and activities: rooms, suites and Links Townhouse; restaurants and bar; fitness room; St Andrews Walking Tours
• Website: marineandlawn.com

Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort

• Where: Glasgow, Scotland 
• Golf facilities: Earl of Mar Scottish championship golf course; clubhouse; stay and play golf breaks; golf days
• Other facilities and activities: five-star luxury Scottish mansion hotel; Cristal Restaurant; Spike Bar; Decleor spa
• Website: marhall.com

Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort

• Where: Glasgow, Scotland 
• Golf facilities: 18-hole golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros; golf breaks; golf days 
• Other facilities and activities: The DoubleTree by Hilton hotel; rooms and suites; The Flemings Restaurant; The Grill Restaurant; spa; health club; gym; indoor swimming pool; tennis court
• Website: thewesterwoodhotel.co.uk 

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