Best Golf Hotels in Scotland
In the home of golf, Scotland, a plethora of world-class golf courses is combined with luxury accommodations to provide an unparalleled golfing experience.
From the rich tradition of St Andrews to the illustrious Trump courses, Scotland offers some of the best golf resorts in the world.
In this guide, we’ll delve into the top-rated golf hotels in Scotland, considering not only the courses but also the luxury accommodations that make these destinations truly exceptional.
The best golf hotels in Scotland
The list below contains our top recommended golf resorts in Scotland.
But if you’re not set on heading to a golf hotel, you can check out our guide to the best golf courses in Scotland which highlights the top courses, regardless of whether they have on-site accommodation or not.
1. Gleneagles
📌 Location: Auchterarder PH3 1NF | 💷 Stay & Play: from £729
Nestled within the beautiful Perthshire countryside, Gleneagles has become synonymous with golfing excellence. The resort boasts three championship golf courses: The King’s, The Queen’s, and The PGA Centenary Course.
The King’s Course, a classic moorland layout designed by James Braid, offers challenging fairways that meander through scenic glens and dells.
Whilst the equally impressive Queen’s Course threads through high ridges on the north and west sides of the estate with awe-inspiring views over the rich Perthshire straths.
The PGA Centenary Course, host of the 2014 Ryder Cup, is a modern classic designed by Jack Nicklaus, a longer, American-style course with a challenging par of 72.
The hotel isn’t bad either! A luxury five-star resort with 232 rooms, each meticulously designed to offer a blend of comfort and elegance. With a range of dining options, from the two Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie restaurant to the more relaxed Birnam Brasserie, and a world-class spa, Gleneagles is truly a haven for golfers seeking luxury.
2. Trump Turnberry
📌 Location: Ayrshire KA26 9LT | 💷 Stay & Play: from £349
Trump Turnberry, perched on the rugged coastline of South Ayrshire, is home to the legendary Ailsa Course.
This par-71 course has hosted the Open Championship four times and is frequently rated as one of the best courses in the UK.
The resort also features the recently revamped King Robert the Bruce course, a 7,203-yard par-72 course that offers a slightly more forgiving yet equally enjoyable round.
The hotel itself is a landmark on the Ayrshire coastline. With 192 elegantly furnished rooms, the resort offers a variety of dining options, including the signature 1906 restaurant, and a world-class spa that promises relaxation after a day on the links.
All together, it makes it not just one of the best golf hotels in Scotland, but one of the best golf resorts in the UK.
3. Ardfin Estate
Ardfin, nestled on the Isle of Jura, is a hidden gem amongst Scottish golf resorts.
The course is a masterpiece, a par-72 that has been meticulously carved from the rugged landscape to offer a unique golfing challenge.
The layout offers panoramic views of the surrounding seascape with holes like the 12th, a dramatic par-3 where the green is perched precariously on the sea edge.
After a few hours battling it around the links, the boutique hotel at Ardfin offers an intimate and luxurious stay. With the beautifully appointed rooms offer stunning views of the estate and the coastline.
4. Fairmont St Andrews
📌 Location: St Andrews KY16 8PN | 💷 Stay & Play: from £185
Fairmont St Andrews, a luxury five-star hotel, is perched atop a cliff with stunning views of the North Sea and the medieval skyline of St Andrews. The resort features two of the best golf courses in St Andrews: The Torrance and The Kittocks.
The Torrance Course, designed by Sam Torrance, is a par-72 course that is known for its deep revetted bunkers and large greens.
The Kittocks Course is a long, cliff-top course with spectacular views over St Andrews, and its standout 15th hole is a challenging par-4 that drops down towards the sea.
The hotel itself boasts 209 luxury rooms and suites, each designed to provide comfort and luxury. The Fairmont Spa offers a range of treatments for relaxation, and six dining venues ensure that every palate is catered to.
5. Machrihanish Dunes
📌 Location: Argyll, Campbeltown PA28 6TJ | 💷 Stay & Play: from £279
Machrihanish Dunes, located in the heart of the Kintyre Peninsula, is a unique golfing experience.
The course is designed to integrate with the natural landscape, resulting in a challenging links layout that changes with the seasons. Each of the 18 holes offers its unique challenges, with the 5th and 6th holes (back to back par-3s) providing stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean.
The accommodations at The Ugadale Hotel and Cottages provide the perfect combination of traditional charm and modern comfort. With the Old Clubhouse Pub and the Kintyre Restaurant & Bar, the resort offers a variety of dining options.
6. Archerfield Links
📌 Location: Archerfield House, North Berwick EH39 5HQ | 💷 Stay & Play: from £-Enquire
Archerfield Links, nestled along the East Lothian coastline, features two challenging golf courses: The Fidra and The Dirleton.
Both courses offer something a little different. The Fidra Course combines links and woodland in a unique blend, whilst the Dirleton Course is more of a traditional Scottish links course that meanders through ancient sand dunes with mancing, deep bunkers.
Archerfield House offers a range of luxury accommodations, from the Mansion House to private lodges. With a spa and a variety of dining options, Archerfield provides a complete luxury golfing experience.
7. Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeen
📌 Location: Balmedie, Aberdeen AB23 8YE | 💷 Stay & Play: from £570
Trump Aberdeen, located on the dramatic North East Scotland coastline, features a championship golf course designed by Martin Hawtree.
The course layout weaves through the Great Dunes of Scotland and offers panoramic views of the North Sea. Each hole offers a unique challenge, with the par-3 6th hole requiring a tee shot over a chasm to a green nestled among the dunes.
The five-star MacLeod House & Lodge offers luxury accommodations in an historic setting, with a world-class dining experience in the Dunes Restaurant & Bar.
8. Spey Valley Golf Club
📌 Location: Dalfaber Drive, Aviemore PH22 1ST | 💷 Stay & Play: from £124
The Spey Valley Championship Golf Course, located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, is known for its stunning scenery and challenging layout. In fact the course has been voted as one of the ‘Most Picturesque Golf Courses in the UK’.
The 18-hole course designed by Dave Thomas meanders through ancient Caledonian pine forests and stretches to over 7,150 yards from the back tees!
Stay and Play packages include accommodation at The Macdonald Aviemore Resort, a four-star hotel with a variety of dining options and a luxury spa.
9. Cameron House & The Carrick
📌 Location: Loch Lomond, G83 8RE | 💷 Stay & Play: from £310
Located on the banks of Loch Lomond, Cameron House is home to The Carrick, a stunning 18-hole championship course.
The course is split between the lowlands and highlands, offering a unique golfing experience with exceptional views.
Cameron House itself is a five-star luxury resort that offers a variety of rooms and suites, each designed for comfort and elegance. With four dining options, and an award-winning spa, Cameron House provides an unrivalled luxury golfing experience.
10. Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club
📌 Location: Edinburgh, Kirknewton EH27 8EB | 💷 Stay & Play: from £200
Nestled amongst 1,000 acres of parkland and just seven miles from Edinburgh’s city centre, Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club offers two 18-hole golf courses: The East Course and The West Course.
The East Course, a championship course that has hosted the Scottish PGA and the Solheim Cup, is one of the best golf courses near Edinburgh. It’s a 7,334-yard, par-73 layout that features challenging bunkers, towering trees, and beautiful views of the Edinburgh skyline and the Forth Bridges.
The West Course, while shorter, offers a challenging round with tighter fairways and smaller greens.
The Dalmahoy hotel combines the charm of a historic manor with modern amenities. With 215 rooms and suites, two restaurants and bars, and a leisure club with indoor and outdoor facilities, Dalmahoy provides a complete golfing holiday.
Final Thoughts
Scotland is indeed a paradise for golfers, offering a rich mix of history, stunning landscapes, and luxurious accommodations. Each of these golf hotels promises not just great golf but a memorable stay.
Whether you’re looking for a classic links challenge, a modern test, or a blend of both, these resorts deliver, ensuring that every golfer can find their perfect round in Scotland.
So, pack your clubs and experience the magic of Scottish golf for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!
- Gleneagles
- Trump Turnberry
- Ardfin
- Fairmont St Andrews
- Machrihanish Dunes
- Archerfield
- Trump Aberdeen
- Spey Valley Golf Club
- Cameron House & The Carrick
- Dalmahoy