Whether an independent country or part of the United Kingdom, Scotland has plenty to offer the luxury traveller. It has breathtaking scenery, rugged coastlines, a proud culture, centuries of heritage and this year is the Year of the Homecoming – a year long programme of events and activities that shows off all that Scotland has to offer.
But Scotland is synonymous with golf. Scotland is the home of golf and has some of the best and most famous courses in the world and actually has more courses per population that anywhere else in the world. There’s Muirfield, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Turnberry, St Andrews and of course, Gleneagles where the 2014 Ryder Cup will take place on the PGA Centenary Course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Gleneagles
The Ryder Cup has become one of the truly not-to-be missed sporting occasions. Only a few will be lucky enough to get a ticket, even fewer, will enjoy a hospitality package whilst the very lucky few will get a private suite to have the ultimate spectator’s view. If you can’t get to the event, Gleneagles offers a limited opportunity to stay and play on the Ryder Cup course.
It’s well worth going to Gleneagles any time though as it’s been voted the ‘Best Golf Resort in the World’ for the third consecutive year. The prestigious five star resort set in a scenic location in the heart of Scotland has a French chateau feel about it with elegant individually styled rooms and luxurious suites. The breakfast is legendary and you can dine in Scotland’s only 2 Michelin star restaurant. There are also 3 magnificent golf courses to keep you busy.
St Andrews
Perhaps the best known of them all and where every golf devotee must attend once in their life as this is known as the Home of Golf. The famous links courses including the oldest and most iconic, the Old Course, are located in a stunning coastal setting on the East of Scotland.
The Swilcan Restaurant in the Links Clubhouse offers excellent panoramic views over the Old Course, while the Castle Course Clubhouse is also worth visiting to have a drink and take in the views over St Andrews Bay.
Here you’ll also find the five star Old Course Hotel. A beautiful mix of old and new, the hotel has many luxurious facilities including a spa and rooftop hot tub and has fine dining experiences and cosy bars serving Scotland’s finest malt whiskies.
A wee dram
Why not combine two of Scotland’s greatest exports – golf and whiskey. Scotland has five distinct whiskey producing regions and superb golf courses in abundance in each. For example, the glorious area of Speyside not only has over half of all Scottish distilleries including Glenfiddich, Glen Moray and The Balvenie, but also the excellent Dufftown and Elgin golf courses, as well as the classic links at Moray in Lossiemouth.
If you have the time, it’s worth making the effort to go to the island of Islay, off Scotland’s West Coast. Not only does its distilleries produce famous whiskies including Bowmore, Laphroaig and Ardbeg, but it has spectacular scenery, not more so than at Machrie Golf Links with views of the sand dunes and Laggan Bay.
