Golf and Sightseeing Scotland

The major golf courses in Scotland are on the West coast south of Glasgow, on the East Coast near Edinburgh and St. Andrews, and on the North East Coast. During your golf vacation in Scotland, whatever golf course you want to play, it will never be far from some interesting sightseeing. The table below links sightseeing options with the nearest major golf courses or golf resorts in Scotland.

Glasgow and Ayrshire

Glasgow has Scotland's main airport, so it is likely to be your place of arrival. The city is generally considered to be industrial but in fact it compares favorably with Edinburgh as a cultural, shopping and entertainment center. Ayrshire is a short drive south and is one of Scotland's major golfing coasts with two current and one former British Open Championship courses.

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Burrell Collection Glasgow — This is one of the finest museum's in the UK. Sir William Burrell was a wealthy ship-owner who collected objects d'art throughout his lifetime and in 1944 gave the whole collection of over 8,000 items to the city of Glasgow. He also donated half a million pounds for a suitable building to house the collection. Exhibits range from ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman artifacts to Chinese ceramics, bronzes and jade, medieval tapestries, ivories, stained glass, sculptures, paintings and more.

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Robert Burns Country — Robert Burns(1759-96) is the best known person in Scottish Literature and is held in deep affection by Scots as a "champion of the underdog". In Ayrshire and Dumfries there are many places of interest associated with his life. In Alloway you will find the one roomed thatched Burns Cottage where he was born. The Tam o' Shanter experience provides a 10 minute audio visual journey through the life of the poet. You can find the Auld Brig o' Doon, Alloway Kirk and other places of interest on the "Burns Trail".

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Culzean Castle — is a glorious and romantic house of the Georgian era. It is the most popular attraction owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It was designed by Robert Adam in 1777 and is located in a dramatic cliff-top setting. In addition to the splendid interior, the castle contains the Guest Flat, given by the people of Scotland in appreciation of General Eisenhower's services during World War II. Outside the estate is now a fine country park.

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New Lanark — At New Lanark a remarkable social experiment took place in the late 18th and early 19th century. David Dale a successful Glasgow businessman built a spinning mill at New Lanark. In 1793 it employed 1100 people of whom 800 were young boys and girls. He provided substantial housing for the employees and educational facilities. Robert Owen married Dale's daughter, he had strong ideas about equality and social welfare. Along with two partners he bought New Lanark in 1800 and to the current four mills and blocks of workers houses were added the "New Institute for the formation of Character" in 1816 and "Robert Owen's School" in1817. These were the first steps in creating his vision of a society without crime. poverty or misery. The model village has survived intact and there is a visitor center within the mill complex open all year.

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Edinburgh and Lothians

Edinburgh — has a spectacular setting with the Castle looking down on Princess street, the main downtown shopping area. From the Castle ramparts, the one o'clock gun is fired daily, booming across the city. The Royal Mile runs through the Old Town from the Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. There are many fine buildings, excellent shopping and entertainment  and an exceptional choice of restaurants.

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Edinburgh Castle — was an important Royal Court from at least the 11th century. It was gradually altered as the royal role became less important than military needs and warfare which severely damaged the castle on several occasions. In 1745 the last battle at the castle involved Bonnie Prince Charlie's men who failed to capture the high rock. The castle is still a military headquarters. The best aspect of the castle is the spectacular views across the city and the Firth of Forth. There are various interesting parts of the castle that can be visited including the Scottish Crown Jewels various military museums.

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The Palace of Holyroodhouse — is the official residence of the Royal family in Scotland, so it is a rare chance to visit a working Royal palace. When the Queen is not in residence you can see the State rooms on the ground floor which are grandly furnished and one bedchamber upstairs which is supposed to have belonged to Mary Queen of Scots. This is not amongst the best of Edinburgh's places of interest but is worth a short visit.

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The Edinburgh International Festival — is held every year in the last half of August and the beginning of September. It is a premier arts event, a celebration of music, dance and drama attracting artists of international caliber. Then there are other festivals running almost in parallel. A Film Festival, the Military Tattoo, Jazz Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival which offers  many theatrical  and musical  events (some by amateur groups), an amazing variety of entertainment from morning to midnight. Edinburgh is packed for this period so it is a time to be enjoyed or if this is not your scene you may chose to avoid the city at this time.

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Angus and Fife

Glamis Castle — is spectacularly beautiful, it has been the property of the earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since 1372, but most of the current building dates from the 17th century. There are strong connections with the Royal family as the castle was the ancestral home of the late Queen Mother. One of the most famous rooms is Duncan's Hall, the legendary setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth. There are fine collections of china, tapestries, paintings and furniture which can be viewed on guided tours.

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Dundee — is Scotland's fourth largest city and has a few interesting sights, mainly maritime. The Royal Research Ship Discovery was used by the polar explorer Captain Scott (1868-1912). An onboard exhibition  allows visitors to sample life aboard the vessel and the Polarama exhibition lets you experience life in the Antarctic hands on. Also the frigate Unicorn can be visited. It is the oldest British warship afloat, having been built in 1824. Models and displays explain some of the history of the Royal Navy.

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St. Andrews — has been known as an ancient ecclesiastical capital, it has Scotland oldest university but today it is famous mainly as the home of Golf. According to legend a Greek monk called Regulus or Rule, carrying relics of St Andrew, one of Christ's disciples, was shipwrecked and founded a church at St. Andrews. His name survives in St Rule's Tower still standing near the Cathedral dating from the early twelfth century. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club is the spiritual home of all who play or follow golf. The Old Course in particular draws golfers from all over the world although there are several other fine courses in the town. The British Golf Museum is also in St. Andrews, it explores the origins of golf at St. Andrews and displays a variety of golf memorabilia.

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Central Highlands

Stirling — was an important town historically as it was the lowest bridging point of the River Forth from the east. The old part of the town is nestled around the castle with everything within walking distance. A walk around the town can be followed by a visit to the Bannockburn Heritage center which recounts in audio visual tales of Robert the Bruce's victory over the English. The National Wallace Monument near Old Stirling Bridge is where William Wallace the Scottish freedom fighter won a major victory in 1297. The movie ' Braveheart' tells the story but a more authentic version is shown at the museum on the Abbey Craig.

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Stirling Castle — is in a magnificent strategic position and was important in the Scots Wars of Independence in the 13th and   14th centuries. The Battle of Bannockburn was fought in sight of the walls and victory by Robert the Bruce gave freedom from the English for almost 400 years. There are breathtaking views from the castle esplanade and a great deal of interest to see in the castle.

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Perth and Scone Palace — Perth is an important town linking the lowlands and highlands of Scotland, little is left of the ancient town. Of interest to visitors can be the Regimental Museum of the Black Watch housed in Balhousie Castle. The Ferguson Gallery displaying 6,000 works by the Scottish artist J D Ferguson or Caithness Glass where you can see glassworkers creating their wares. Scone Palace, just north of Perth is one of Scotland's grandest stately homes. It was the traditional crowning place of Scottish monarchs. The furnishings are mainly 19th century and include fine collections of porcelain, ivories, 18th century clocks and 16th century needlework.

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Loch Lomond — The beauty of Loch Lomond has been immortalized in song and more recently pictures are transmitted around the world of the wonderful golf course on it's banks. It is far more accessible than many highland lochs to the north which has undoubtedly added to it's attraction. This same accessibility applies to the neighboring Trossachs which is an area between the Highlands and lowlands of Scotland and contains some of the loveliest forest, hills and glens. This area which lies north west of Stirling was much admired by romantic poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge. It is also the countryside of the local hero and popular rogue Rob Roy McGregor.

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Argyle and the Isles

Isle of Arran and Mull of Kintyre — The Isle of Arran is a short ferry ride from the coast of Ayrshire and is sometimes described as Scotland in miniature. Golfers sometimes use it as a means of getting to Machrihanish Golf Club at the end of the Mull of Kintyre. You cross to Arran by ferry and then take another short ferry crossing to Kintyre making an otherwise long journey interesting and relaxing.

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Inverary — is one of the most handsome Scottish towns. One of the Chiefs of the Clan Campbell, the third Duke of Argyle planned the town in 1743 at a small distance from his castle. Inverary Castle is the stately home of the present Duke of Argyle and can be visited in summer. Inverary Jail is a recreation of a 19th century county prison and is more interesting than it sounds. Auchindrain Highland Township gives an authentic glimpse of highland rural life and is also worth a visit.

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Iona and Isle of Mull — The isle of Mull also requires a ferry crossing but in summer this can be quite short from Lochaline to Fishnish. It is a beautiful island but most tourists will be heading for the tiny island of Iona, just off the Mull coast. This is called the cradle of Scottish Christianity. The Irish monk Columba founded a monastery here in AD 563. Such was the importance of the religious community here that it became a burial place of Scottish kings.

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Isle of Islay — Because it requires a ferry crossing or flight, you are only likely to visit Islay to play the splendid golf course at Machrie or if you are a Malt Whisky fan.

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Aberdeen & North East

Aberdeen — is the third largest city in Scotland and the most northerly in Britain. At one time it was quite remote but road improvements mean that it is now not much more than 2 hours drive from Edinburgh. Many buildings are built in local quarried granite which on a fine day makes it a very distinctive urban environment. Amongst several places of interest are Kings College founded in 1494 and Provost Ross's House dating from 1593 which houses the Maritime Museum telling the story of the cities involvement with the sea through the ages.

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Royal Deeside, Castle Country — Outside of Aberdeen the River Dee runs westwards and the area became known as Royal Deeside when 'discovered' by Queen Victoria. Balmoral Castle is the private holiday home of the Royal family, it only opens the grounds and ballroom when the family are not in residence (residence is normally August). The rest of Deeside has so many picturesque castles that along with the river Don to the north it is known as castle country or the castle trail. Castle Frazer and Castle Craigievar are well preserved and interesting to visit.

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Braemar Highland Gathering — Many Highland Gathering's take place in Scotland, that at Braemar is probably the best known. It takes place in September and is often attended by the Royal family.

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Speyside and the Whisky Trail — The area around the River Spey is famous for fishing and for Whisky production (covered in our feature 'Golf and Whisky')

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Around the Great Glen

The Great Glen runs from Inverness to Fort William and includes Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak and Loch Ness, said to be home to Nessie, a favorite monster and subject of many claimed sightings.

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Inverness and Culloden Moor — Inverness is a pleasant town to do some shopping but to explore Scottish history you need to go out of town and a good place to start is Culloden Moor. This was the site of the last battle fought on British soil when in 1746 the Jacobite forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie (about 5000 men) were destroyed by the superior artillery of George III's army (about 9000 men). The episode is graphically described in an audio-visual at Culloden Visitor Center.

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Cawdor and Brodie Castles — Cawdor Castle located south west of Nairn is one of Scotland's more appealing examples of a Castle that has developed into a stately home. The original tower dates from about 1380 and is surrounded by accommodation added through the years. The castle is still the family home of the Earls of Cawdor, it is grand but comfortable, a nice touch is the descriptions of each room written by the present Earl and the way the art and antiques mingle with family pictures and cozy sofas. Brodie Castle to the west of Nairn is really a grand stately home dating from about 1560 and is a charming and friendly place to visit. It has a superb collection of paintings which would not shame an art gallery. The castle was given to the National Trust for Scotland by the Brodie family in 1980.

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Loch Ness and the Cairngorms — The story or myth of the Loch Ness monster started in May 1933 when the local paper reported that a couple had seen a strange animal in the loch. Soon other sightings were claimed and the story refuses to go away.  The Cairngorms is a mountain range containing four of the five highest mountains in Britain. It is an area for skiing in winter and in summer the chairlifts can be used to take in the magnificent views.

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Fort William, Glen Affric and Glencoe — Fort William is not in a golfing area but is a nice stop over when traveling up the west coast to or from the Highlands. It is close to Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain and you can visit Glen Affric which is often said to be the most beautiful Glen in Scotland and Glencoe which carries the main road over some of the finest hill scenery in the central highlands. Glencoe was also the scene of an infamous massacre in 1692 by the Campbell Clan when they were guests of the McDonald's.

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Northern Highlands

The North Western Highlands is a country of mountains and moor lands, lightly populated, it is mainly attractive for the scenery and outdoor pursuits.

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Corrieshalloch Gorge — on the A835 south of Ullapool is just one of the areas scenic attractions. A burn draining the moors plunges 150 feet into a deep wooded gorge, it can be viewed from a suspension bridge.

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The Island of Skye — is not on the normal golfers route but is a popular island for sightseeing, partly because it is easy to get to via the new bridge spanning Kyle Akin or the two older ferry routes. It is good to start at the Skye Heritage center which tells the story of the ordinary folk, poor crofters rather than heroic tales of clans, chieftains and Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Clans are covered by visiting Dunvegan Castle, inhabited for 700 years by the chiefs of Clan Mcleod. The Clan Donald Center at Armadale tells their story when they were Lords of the Isles, controlling a large area of the western seaboard. The scenery around the island is spectacular, particularly the Cuillin Hills.

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