DESTINATION GOLF SCOTLAND 2025
ROYAL MUSSELBURGH
Royal Musselburgh
In 2024 , Royal Musselburgh celebrated its 250th anniversary . The history of the club is astounding – it is the oldest in the world – and a trip around the clubhouse ( Prestongrange House centres around a Norman tower and dates back to the 12th century ) should be mandatory . The golf club moved to its current site in the 1920s , with James Braid designing much of the course you play today . What stands out is how well routed it is and how it flows so smoothly along subtle slopes overlooking the Firth of Forth . You ’ ll be hard-pressed to guess which holes flank you as you play through tree-lined avenues to gentle greens . It is not long but those trees are just tight enough to rein you in . The three par threes are particularly strong .
Roxburghe
Roxburghe is regarded as a top 10 Scottish inland course . Designed by Dave Thomas , it is set within a 50,000 acre estate in the heart of the Scottish Borders , with the River Teviot and deep woods coming in to play . Golfers will discover a glorious golfing experience , where the flow of the rolling landscape , the variety of the holes and the spaciousness of the course mean you rarely see another golfer . But prepare for some lengthy greento-tee walks . Opened in 1997 , the course reflects the elegance around it with Thomas ’ s trademark large and undulating greens , generous fairways and deep bunkering constantly in view from the elevated tees . The downhill , dogleg par four 10th is a striking example . The clubhouse is set in a Jacobean mansion .
Mortonhall
A beautifully rumpled parkland , bursting with colour and variety . This is an old club – dating to the 1890s – and the maturity of the setting is captivating with views stretching across Edinburgh , the Firth of Forth and the Pentland Hills . The thrills come from several steep rocky hillocks , where holes are encased in blazing gorse . Trees and water add extra appeal as well as additional danger , and then there are the tight doglegs . The wayward golfer can be punished severely but the elevation changes make it clear what is required of you . This is a perfectly balanced par 72 and Mortonhall is playable 52 weeks a year . The par four 2nd is known as ‘ Moorfoot ’ and it is Index 1 : the high tee shows off the course and the views .
Duddingston
Duddingston lies only a few minutes from the centre of Edinburgh . All that lush green and towering trees may come as a surprise but it is not a popular venue for its looks alone , nor for the stunning views of Arthur ’ s Seat , to the north . This is a fine parkland escape , originally designed by Willie Park Jr ., and later updated by James Braid . And it is the Braid Burn which enhances the course ’ s attraction , challenges and intrigue : it appears on 12 holes , winding relentlessly across and alongside fairways on what was once part of a deer estate . There are sweet undulations here , on the back nine especially , and the signature 400-yard dogleg 13th , named Temple – after the monument standing to the right of the green – rises steadily from tee to green .
60