Historic Scotland: Home of Golf

For golf many golfers, the ultimate pilgrimage is to the land that birthed the game, Scotland, in the 1500s. While the country has been a part of the United Kingdom for just over three centuries, it has maintained its own cultural identity—including golf, whisky, poetry, and dialect. What golf trip could be better than one with all that?

Given the historical connection of Scotland with golf, it is no surprise that there are so many outstanding golf courses, with a range of styles. The Scottish dream courses for the golf connoisseur include Troon, Glen Eagles, Turnberry, Muirfield, Loch Lomond, Carnoustie, and of course the historic Old Course at St. Andrews. Even if you cannot get into these exclusive courses, venues for the British Open and the Ryder Cup, you will find many exciting golf options in Scotland. Given that it is practically the national sport (competing with soccer/football for that title), there are also many public and private courses with easy access, especially in the Lowlands

For me, the epitome of a golf vacation to Scotland includes more than golf. Given my Scottish ancestry, the perfect trip also includes nature, history, literature, and single-malt whiskey! Can you ask for more?

Enjoy Unique Landscapes

One of the truly remarkable aspects of golfing in Scotland is the integration of golfing with spectacular and unique terrains. You will find link courses, parkland courses, and heathland courses. Parkland courses are fairways are graced by old stands of trees and natural waterfalls and ponds, some laid out over rolling meadows.

A day at a heathland course with its disctinctive scrubby heather and gorse may make you feel like you are living out a novel by the Bronte sisters (remember Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre from high school lit class?)

Connect with History and Poetry. Now of course for me there is nothing more poetic than a great golf swing. Yet when surrounded by castles and picturesque villages, I love nothing more than to explore the nooks and crannies of the region. For that, the Ayrshire area offers an exceptional experience. Not only do you have 44 golf courses to choose from , but you can also check out the historic castles and visit the home of the beloved poet, Robert Burns (of “Auld Lang Syne”).

History meets modernity in the capital city of Edinburgh, where after a memorable round of golf, one can enjoy some funky cafes and bars by night and tours of castles (including the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots,) and ragged coast by day.attractive countryside. History buffs can head for the remains of Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.

The Home of Golf

Just across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh lies the Kingdom of Fife. There you will find Dunfermline, residence of early Celtic kings, with an historic abbey and Piteencrieff Park—land donated by the town’s most famous emigrant, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. And here is the Mecca of golf, the world-renowned, magnificent St. Andrews! For full details on courses, events, and more, see the official website for the St. Andrews Links, the oldest and largest golf complex in all of Europe.

If you want the experience of a life time, look into golf packages that will give you the royal golf experience! The most exclusive do require considerable advance reservations, so it’s never too early to plan. At the same time, given the extensive opportunities, it is also never too late to pack your bags and enjoy Scotland and golf!