Top 10 Golf Stays in Scotland

Scotland and golf are inseparable. The game was born here, shaped by wild coastlines, rolling dunes, and a love of tradition. Today, golfers travel from every corner of the world to walk the same fairways as legends, and the experience is about more than just tee times. It’s about the atmosphere, the history, and the chance to wake up with the first tee on your doorstep.

The best golf holidays in Scotland bring together championship courses and unforgettable hotels - a combination of world-class play and a proper Scottish welcome. From the Old Course at St Andrews to the raw drama of Ardfin on Jura, here are ten of the finest places to play and stay.

1. St Andrews Links – Stay at the Old Course Hotel, Fife

This is the ultimate pilgrimage. The Old Course at St Andrews isn’t just a golf course - it’s a shrine. The Swilcan Bridge, the Road Hole bunker, the vast double greens… every inch of this links is part of golfing folklore. Jack Nicklaus called it the greatest course in the world. Tiger Woods sealed two Open Championships here.

The challenge changes with the wind. One day it feels generous, the next it’s merciless. That unpredictability is what makes it magical.

Beside the 17th fairway, the Old Course Hotel looks out across the links and West Sands Beach. Expect elegant rooms, a rooftop bar, Michelin-starred dining, and a spa for post-round recovery. It’s the perfect base for a golf holiday in St Andrews.

2. Royal Dornoch – Stay at the Royal Golf Hotel, Sutherland

Far up in the Highlands lies Royal Dornoch, a course regularly ranked among the world’s top five. Remote, natural, and utterly beautiful, it offers golf the way it was meant to be played. The fairways tumble towards the Dornoch Firth, framed by gorse and heather.

Tom Watson once said it was the most fun he’d ever had on a golf course. When the evening light turns the dunes gold, it’s easy to see why.

The Royal Golf Hotel sits just steps from the first tee. Many rooms overlook the course itself, and inside you’ll find fires, whisky, and a warm Highland welcome - the perfect stay-and-play package in Scotland’s north.

3. Muirfield – Stay at Greywalls Hotel, East Lothian

Steeped in tradition, Muirfield is home to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, who wrote the earliest known Rules of Golf in 1744. The course itself has hosted 16 Open Championships, won by greats like Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, and Phil Mickelson. Jack Nicklaus was so taken by it that he named his own club in Ohio “Muirfield Village.”

Muirfield is demanding but fair and every shot needs thought, every mistake is punished. It’s golf in its purest form.

Bordering the course is Greywalls Hotel, a country house designed in 1901 with gardens by Gertrude Jekyll. With Albert Roux at the helm of the restaurant, it’s a place where golf and fine living meet.

4. Trump Turnberry – Stay at Trump Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire

The Ailsa Course at Turnberry is where golf meets the sea. Perched on clifftops with views out to Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran, it’s one of the most spectacular courses on The Open rota. The 1977 “Duel in the Sun” between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson here remains one of the sport’s greatest battles.

The Trump Turnberry Resort, with its iconic white turrets, offers ocean-view rooms, a spa, whisky bar, and dining that matches the grandeur of the setting. It’s one of the most luxurious golf hotels in Scotland.

5. Carnoustie Golf Links – Stay at Carnoustie Golf Hotel & Spa, Angus

Carnoustie has a reputation: tough, unrelenting, and legendary. Known as “Carnasty” by some, the course has hosted The Open eight times. It was here in 1999 that Jean van de Velde suffered his famous collapse in the Barry Burn, and where Padraig Harrington triumphed in 2007. Ben Hogan’s win in 1953 is still spoken about with reverence.

For golfers who want the ultimate test, Carnoustie Golf Links delivers.

The Carnoustie Golf Hotel & Spa sits right beside the 18th green, with comfortable rooms and a spa to soothe tired muscles after tackling one of the hardest golf courses in Scotland.

6. North Berwick - Stay at Marine North Berwick Hotel, East Lothian

There’s nowhere quite like North Berwick West Links. Founded in 1832, it’s full of quirks and charm. The famous Redan hole has been copied around the world, and the stone walls that cut across fairways make it unique. Many pros call it one of their favourite places to play.

Golf here is fun, unpredictable, and utterly Scottish - you’ll walk off with stories to tell.

The Marine North Berwick Hotel overlooks the course and the Firth of Forth. Recently refurbished, it combines seaside elegance with luxury, and it’s a perfect base for exploring East Lothian’s cluster of top golf courses.

7. Kingsbarns Golf Links – Stay at Fairmont St Andrews, Fife

Though it only opened in 2000, Kingsbarns feels as though it has always belonged. Hugging the coastline south of St Andrews, it offers wide fairways, dramatic views, and a thrilling modern links design. Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Dustin Johnson have all played here during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Just along the coast, the Fairmont Hotel offers clifftop luxury with two additional courses, a spa, and sweeping views over the North Sea. It’s one of the best golf resorts in Scotland for a stay-and-play break.

8. Ardfin Estate – Stay at Ardfin Hotel, Isle of Jura

For those who want something different, Ardfin on the Isle of Jura is unforgettable. Remote, rugged, and dramatic, the course is carved into the cliffs with holes that look out over the Sound of Jura. It’s challenging and uncompromising, designed for golf purists who want an adventure.

The Ardfin Hotel matches the exclusivity of the course. A boutique estate retreat with luxurious suites and fine dining, it offers seclusion and style in equal measure.

9. Cabot Highlands – Stay at Culloden House Hotel, Inverness

Overlooking the Moray Firth, Cabot Highlands (formerly Castle Stuart) is a modern classic. Designed by Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse, it’s hosted the Scottish Open, where Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson battled in 2013. The course balances strategy with stunning scenery, and its elevated holes offer some of the best views in Scottish golf.

Nearby, Culloden House Hotel is steeped in history. Bonnie Prince Charlie once stayed here; today it’s a stately retreat with antique-filled rooms, beautiful gardens, and fine dining - a true Highland experience.

10. Woodlands Golf Course - Stay at Woodlands Scot

Set beneath the towering peaks of Glencoe, Woodlands Golf Course is one of the most picturesque nine-hole courses in Scotland. Don’t let its size fool you — it’s cleverly designed, with tight fairways, water hazards, and breathtaking views over Loch Leven. It’s a favourite among visiting golfers who want to balance championship courses with something more relaxed and scenic.

You’ll find the most beautiful Seabed Pods at Woodlands Scot, complete with a fresh, home-made breakfast delivered to you in the mornings after your stays.

In Conclusion

Golf in Scotland is more than a sport - it’s a journey into history, landscape, and tradition. From the sacred turf of St Andrews to the raw coastal drama of Ardfin, each of these courses offers something unique. Pairing them with the right hotel turns a round of golf into an unforgettable holiday.

Whether you’re testing yourself at Carnoustie, soaking up the Highland beauty of Royal Dornoch, or enjoying the quirks of North Berwick, these are the stays that make a Scottish golf trip truly special.