Scotland’s Historic Golf and Castles

Scotland’s Historic Golf and Castles is a short golf blog post that looks at combining two great destinations into one great experience.

It is often the case that golfers and their partners are looking to do something additional after their round of golf.
With that in mind, I can highly recommend a visit to one of Scotland’s iconic castles.
There are more castles than golf courses, but here are a few great combinations depending on where you are playing golf.

Scotland’s Historic Golf and Castles

St Andrews, Scotland

Old Course at the St Andrews Links. The original ‘Home of Golf’. The oldest and most iconic course of them all.
Known by many as the ‘Old Lady’, the Old Course is still a public golf course that closes for play every Sunday (except for a few events per year)
Booking the Old Course is not easy, and it is often better to organise a tee time through an ‘Authorised Provider’
New Course at the St Andrews Links. Established in 1895, the name of the course is a little bit off-putting for some.
Designed by Old Tom Morris, it is affectionately known as ‘one of the oldest, ‘new’ courses in the world’
It’s a great golf course that its famous neighbour often overshadows.

St Andrews Castle. Run and maintained by Historic Scotland, this castle has an interesting history.
It has been a Palace, a Fortress and a State Prison during its 450-year history.
St Jude’s Tower & St Andrews Cathedral Ruins. Also, a Historic Scotland property.
Built in 1158, as the largest church in Scotland, the cathedral is now only ruins. Old Tom Morris, Young Tom Morris and Alan Robertson are all buried here.

St Andrews Castle

Turnberry, Scotland

Ailsa Course at Turnberry. Another iconic golf course with the famous Lighthouse, which is now an accommodation and a halfway house.
The course has hosted the Open Championship 4 times and has recently undergone some major changes, for the better.
King Robert The Bruce is a fantastic golf course, which was built in 1901 by Willie Fernie and later remodelled in 2017 by Martin Ebert.
This course is highly recommended if you have already played the Ailsa. It’s more of a challenge than you expect.

Culzean Castle. A remarkable cliff-top castle close to Turnberry. This is a jaw-dropping experience, especially the collection of Flintlock Pistols.
Don’t forget to visit the beach and discover the hidden house. The old gas works is pretty cool too.
Dumfries House. Completed in 1759, it was a gem and has recently had a facelift through ‘The Prince’s Foundations’
Don’t forget to stop off at the Coach House Cafe for a great coffee and cake.

Culzean Castle

North Berwick, Scotland

North Berwick – West Links was founded in 1832 and is an absolute gem of a course.
The sea can be seen from 6 of the holes, and the 13th hole, ‘Pit’, is the most famous hole on the course.
Dunbar Golf Club is famous for not being famous, but it should be. This course is excellent, yet no one has heard of it.
Golf has been played in Dunbar since 1794, but the existing links course has been played on since 1856. A real hidden gem.

Tantallon Castle was the last of the larger castles to be built and was finished in the mid-1300s.
It was besieged 3 times during its history. The last time was by Oliver Cromwell in 1651.
Lennoxlove Castle was constructed in 1334 and is in magnificent shape.
Don’t forget to check out the sunken gardens, appointment only.

Tantallon Castle

Carnoustie, Scotland

Carnoustie Championship Links, aka ‘Carnasty’ has hosted the Open Championship 8 times during its history.
The new clubhouse is a must-visit for a photo of the Claret Jug, and lunch at The Rookery Restaurant is a must.
Panmure Golf Club was built in 1845 and is a classic golf course, which is more of a Heathland course that exceeds expectations.
A visit to Panmure is not complete without dining in the Clubhouse, but not before your glass of Kummel because it’s tradition.

Glamis Castle was the home of the Queen Mother and, without a doubt, one of the top 3 castles to visit when in Scotland.
Built in the 1400s, Glamis (pronounced Glarms) was the birthplace of Princess Margaret and was the inspiration behind Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Dunninald Castle & Gardens was built in 1825 in the Gothic style and has one of the best Walled Gardens in Scotland.
Castle visits are limited throughout the year, so prebooking is essential.

Glamis Castle

Aberdeen, Scotland

Royal Aberdeen Golf Club began its journey in 1780. It is the 6th oldest golf club in the world, and the golf course is a superb test of golf.
The 8th hole, Par 3, is the signature hole at Royal Aberdeen because it’s a picture postcard hole.
Murcar Links isn’t the oldest links in the world, be these are some of the best greens that you will play, just ask Gary Player.
A true Scottish links with only 2 Par 5s unless you play off the Yellow tees, then the course is 15 Par 4s and 3 Par 3s.

Castle Fraser, Garden & Estate is a lovely property to visit because of its fairy-tale look and awesome Walled Garden.
The castle dates back to 1454 and is a treat, especially climbing the tower for fantastic views that go on for miles.
Dunnottar Castle is one of the most iconic and most photogenic castles in Scotland.
The castle sits on the cliffs at Stonehaven, so there are lots of steps to visit it. There is a great walk along the beach promenade that leads to the castle.

Castle Fraser

Inverness, Scotland

Cabot Highlands, Castle Stuart Course is just one of two excellent courses at this resort, just outside Inverness.
Phil Mickelson’s favourite course in Scotland that sits on the cliffs overlooking the estuary towards the Black Isle.
An excellent course with blind shots, infinity greens, run-offs and pot bunkers. Everything a visiting golfer wants to experience and more.
Nairn Golf Club was founded in 1887 and has had several changes made to it, the last one being in 2018.
The attic has been transformed into a museum, which is great to visit.
Don’t forget to visit The Bothy and Icehouse because what they have done here is awesome.

Cawdor Castle & Gardens is truly a wonderful Castle to visit because it has everything you would expect to see and more.
It has a moat, a drawbridge, turrets, a turnpike staircase and a well-manicured garden.
Inverness Castle dates from the 1830s and was built as a court, and soon after, they built an add-on prison.
It has since been the home of the Inverness Police until 1975.
It is now being brought back to life as a new visitor attraction that will open sometime this year.

Cawdor Castle

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