Inner City Golf Trail
4 MIN READ
It’s rather apt Dundee is known as the ‘City of Discovery’. After all, it is one of four cities in Scotland waiting to be discovered by the golf visitor. Mix glorious golf with the buzz of city life and their associated attractions, including history, music, sport and shopping.
While Scotland’s famed championship links act as a persuasive pull for so many, city golf is notable too. Indeed, the highest concentrations of golf courses in Scotland are around Glasgow (over 90 courses) and the capital city of Edinburgh (over 65 courses).
“I love the way the game of golf is lived and played in Scotland – I always have,” said Tom Watson, the five-time Open champion. Watson’s words are entirely applicable to the inner-city communities where golf is loved just as much as those who play the game by the sea.
Edinburgh seems the rightful place to start the Trail. Blessed with history, heritage, architecture, nightlife and golf, it is consistently ranked highly on the best cities to visit in the world.
On the outskirts, Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club offers an excellent base. Home to the Solheim Cup in 1992, the venue offers two 18-hole courses and charming rooms. Bruntsfield Links, the fourth oldest in the world dating back to 1761, is another parkland test providing a great challenge for all. It is located only three miles from Edinburgh’s city centre.
Visit the Old Town, walk along The Royal Mile up to Edinburgh Castle and take in the stunning views across the city. Edinburgh is home to two capital football clubs, Heart of Midlothian FC and Hibernian FC, with the home of Scottish Rugby at Murrayfield also very central. Take in a game on the course and then sit down to watch a game at night!
Football dominates in Glasgow too, with Celtic and Rangers FC, as does a lively music scene with The Hydro, King Tuts and the Barrowlands. Stay in The Village Hotel, explore the West End, shop on busy Buchanan Street and go back in time at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum and The Riverside Museum of Transport & Travel.
Yet, in the heart of the city, you are never far from a golf course, with lush fairways and immaculate greens. Haggs Castle is well-regarded, a former men’s Scottish Open venue, or experience Pollok, Cawder and Whitecraigs. All offer lovely parkland golf with some beautiful city vistas to savour.
Returning north to discover Dundee, you will find a dynamic, diverse and modern city yet with nods to its industrial past. Savour a drink at the 19th hole, perhaps staying at Malmaison or Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa, while the new V&A Dundee design museum is not to be missed at the redeveloped quayside. In terms of golf, try city test Downfield where Paul Lawrie qualified en route to winning The Open further north at Carnoustie in 1999. Golf is central to Carnoustie with a variety of courses for all ages and abilities, with neighbouring Panmure one to sample too.
There is golf in abundance and more cultural experiences to enjoy in the north-east at Aberdeen. Some 25 miles north, Cruden Bay is an absolute gem or, in the shadow of Aberdeen FC’s stadium at Pittodrie, enjoy your game at Kings Links. Hazlehead offers some great golf options too. Fraserburgh is also an incredible links course that should not be missed on a visit to Aberdeen. The Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel is a great base in the heart of the city.
History weaves through the city’s fabric. Stay at Maryculter House Hotel nestled on the banks of the River Dee, where many of the 40 bedrooms boast stunning views. Dunnottar Castle and Slains Castle continue the historical theme as you explore heritage, just as you do the golf courses.
Explore the trail here