Nature (Evolved over time)
St Andrews Links - Old Course
The historic centerpiece of St Andrews and the course most likely to shape the timing and structure of a first Scotland itinerary.
At St Andrews
UK&I
Golf Trips in Scotland
Build a Scotland golf trip around St Andrews, East Lothian, the Highlands and the championship links of the west coast.
Scotland — overview
Scotland works best as a collection of distinct golf regions. St Andrews brings seven public courses and the Old Course; East Lothian adds Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane; the Highlands center on Royal Dornoch; and the west coast connects Royal Troon, Turnberry and Prestwick. JEL Golf Travel can turn those anchors into a focused 4–7 day itinerary.
- Destinations
- 4
- Courses
- 19+
- Best months
- May through September
- Typical length
- 5–7 days for one primary golf region
What makes it special
Why play golf in Scotland.
Scotland gives golfers four clear trip styles within one country: the public links of St Andrews, the dense championship coast of East Lothian, the more remote Highlands, and the historic west coast around Troon and Prestwick. The course list spans Old Tom Morris, Willie Park Jr., James Braid and modern architects such as Gil Hanse and David McLay Kidd, so one trip can move from golf’s earliest layouts to contemporary links design.
St Andrews is the natural starting point for many first trips. The St Andrews Links Trust manages seven public courses, from the Old Course and New Course to the Jubilee, Castle, Eden, Strathtyrum and Balgove. The Old Course remains the historic centerpiece, but its limited tee-time access means a strong itinerary should also use the depth of golf already on the links.
East Lothian gives golfers another dense cluster of classic links within reach of Edinburgh Airport. Muirfield, North Berwick’s West Links and Gullane No. 1 headline the region, with Archerfield and Dunbar adding modern and historic alternatives. A five- to seven-day trip can stay focused on this coast without spending the week on long transfers.
The Highlands and western Scotland show two more sides of Scottish golf. Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart, Nairn and Brora form a northern route through classic and modern links, while Royal Troon, Turnberry’s Ailsa Course and Prestwick create a west-coast itinerary built around Open Championship history and some of the game’s oldest courses.
Resorts & destinations
View all 4 destinationsWhere to play in Scotland.
The Scotland destinations we plan the most — each with the courses, lodging and seasonality our concierge knows by heart.
Signature courses
The courses that define Scotland.
These four courses represent the clearest anchors for a first Scotland trip: St Andrews, East Lothian, the Highlands and the west coast.
Old Tom MorrisMuirfield
East Lothian’s championship anchor and a natural pairing with North Berwick and Gullane on Scotland’s Golf Coast.
At Edinburgh & East Lothian
Old Tom MorrisRoyal Dornoch Golf Club - Championship Course
The defining round of a Highlands trip, combining historic links architecture with the more remote setting of northern Scotland.
At Scottish Highlands
Plan your trip
When to go, how to get there.
- Best time to visit
- May through September
- Weather & climate
- Scotland’s featured courses are dominated by exposed coastal links, so wind and rapidly changing conditions are part of the experience. Spring and summer provide the most reliable playing window in the destination data, but golfers should still plan for variable weather across a multi-day trip.
- Typical trip length
- 5–7 days for one primary golf region
- Getting there
- Use Edinburgh Airport for St Andrews and East Lothian, Inverness Airport for the Highlands, and Glasgow Airport for western Scotland. Ground transfers are the practical choice for most multi-course itineraries because the major golf regions are spread across different parts of the country.
- Nearest airports
- EDI (Edinburgh) · GLA (Glasgow) · INV (Inverness)
- Who it's best for
- Golfers and buddies-trip groups who want historic links, championship venues and enough course density to build a serious multi-round itinerary.
- Trip styles
- Buddies tripLinksChampionship venuesGolf tourHistoric golfCouples
Off the course
Local culture in Scotland.
The strongest Scotland itineraries are built around towns and regional bases rather than one resort. St Andrews lets golfers stay close to several public courses, East Lothian combines golf with easy access to Edinburgh, the Highlands use Inverness as the main gateway, and western Scotland is most practical through Glasgow. That structure keeps the trip centered on golf while still leaving room for historic towns, coastal drives and relaxed evenings between rounds.
Frequently asked
Scotland golf FAQs.
What is the best time of year for a Scotland golf trip?
May through September is the strongest common window across the featured Scotland destinations. St Andrews lists April through September as its preferred season, while East Lothian is best in spring and summer.
How many days do I need for a Scotland golf trip?
Five to seven days is the ideal length for one primary golf region. The St Andrews, East Lothian and Highlands destination context all supports trips of roughly that length when the goal is to play several courses without excessive transfers.
Can I play the Old Course at St Andrews?
Yes, but access is limited. The Old Course requires a handicap certificate, and many tee times are allocated through the ballot, so a Scotland itinerary should also include other St Andrews Links courses rather than depend on one round.
Which airport should I use for a Scotland golf trip?
Use Edinburgh Airport for St Andrews and East Lothian, Inverness Airport for the Highlands, and Glasgow Airport for western Scotland. Choosing the airport around the golf region helps reduce road time between arrival, lodging and tee times.
What are the best golf regions in Scotland?
The destination context highlights four primary regions: St Andrews, Edinburgh and East Lothian, the Scottish Highlands, and western Scotland. Each supports a different itinerary, from the seven public courses at St Andrews to Royal Dornoch in the north and Royal Troon, Turnberry and Prestwick in the west.
Do I need a rental car or private transfer in Scotland?
Ground transportation is the practical choice for most multi-course Scotland trips. The major golf regions are spread between the east coast, Highlands and west coast, and the destination context consistently describes airport arrival followed by a transfer.
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