Scotland the best
Great golf courses
If fantastic, challenging golf in splendid surroundings is your thing, tee up a trip to six of the best Roxburghe
Only championship course in the Borders. Designed by Dave Thomas along the banks of the River Teviot. Part of the Floors Castle estate. Bar/lounge/clubhouse. roxburghe.net 01573 450333
Royal Dornoch
Sutherland championship course laid out by Tom Morris in 1877. Has been declared fifthbest course in the world outside the US, but not busy or incessantly pounded. No poor holes. Stimulating sequences. Probably the most northerly great golf course in the world. Sister course, the Struie, also a treat. royaldornoch.com 01862 810219
Kingsbarns
Between Crail and St Andrews, one of Fife’s newest and Scotland’s best courses. Challenging and a beautiful location on a secret coast. Not cheap. kingsbarns.com 01334 460860
Southerness
25km south of Dumfries by A710. A championship course on links on the silt flats of the firth. Despite its prestige, visitors do get on. There are few courses as good as this at these prices. Under the wide Solway sky. It’s pure... southerness. southernessgolfclub.com 01387 880677
Gifford
Dinky nine-hole inland course on the edge of a charming village, bypassed by the queue for the big East Lothian courses and a guarded secret among regulars. Golf World once called it “the best nine holes in Scotland”. giffordgolfclub.com 01620 810591
Elgin
Many memorable holes on moorland/ parkland course in an area where links may lure you to the coast at Nairn or Lossiemouth. elgingolfclub.com 01343 542338