Scotland
94DR
Edinburgh
94DR on Dalkeith Road in Edinburgh is an exclusive townhouse close to Prestonfield Golf Club. This high-end place is really special with six contemporary designed bedrooms for up to 12 people. All rooms are named after famous whisky distilleries. No wonder, both the two fantastic owners Paul and John, are real connoisseurs and not only their restaurant recommendations are priceless. By the way: Breakfast is one of the best we've ever had. Rates start at around £800 per night for the whole place. So you better bring some friends.
Musselburgh 9 m – Gullane 20 m – North Berwick 24 m
© DR94 Edinburgh
Ardanaiseig
Taynuilt
Ardanaiseig is a brilliant little castle hotel on Loch Awe, some 20 miles east of the vibrant harbour city of Oban. I would not say it is my first suggestion for golfers with only three courses within one hour driving distance. Still, it is a fun place and me and my wife enjoyed our stay very much. It is a bit of a hustle to get there, but well worth the adventure of driving the single tracks that lead to the castle. High season rates start at around £200 per night with cheaper offers in shoulder- and off-season.
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Dalmally 20 m – Glencruitten 22 m
BrewDog Kennels
Aberdeen
The BrewDog apartments are located above one of the two Brewdog pubs in the heart of Aberdeen. They are relatively basic, but not without charm and a twinkle in the eye. From the record player with a selection of classic rock albums to the fridge in the shower filled with BrewDog beers. The only downside is that parking is a bit of a problem, as the Kennels are right on Castle Street. Not a problem in principle, but something for golfers to consider.
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Royal Aberdeen 3 m – Murcar Links 5 m
Burnside
Dornoch
Burnside Cottage is a well-decorated self-catering facility that sleeps up to 10 people. Situated within walking distance to Royal Dornoch, we stayed there a couple of times and enjoyed it every time. The bigger of the two kitchens is well equipped and we liked especially the wood-burning fire in the main living room. Rates start at £800 per week and go up to over £1,200 in the high season.
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Royal Dornoch 0,3 m – Tain 9 m – Brora 16 m
Castle Hotel
Dornoch
Currently for sale, I really cross fingers that the Castel Hotel will remain a vital part of the Dornoch hospitality scene. Situated right in the middle of the beautiful village, the former home of the Bishop of Caithness was the first hotel I ever stayed in Dornoch. Some of the rooms might be in need of a renovation, but overall it is such a friendly place that you should turn a blind eye to this. The multiple award-winning bar is one of the best in Scotland.
Royal Dornoch 0,3 m – Tain 9 m – Brora 16 m
Culloden House
Culloden
In handy distance to both the famous Culloden battlefield and the Inverness airport of lesser fame, Culloden House is a great country retreat and a clear recommendation if you want to play the both Nairn links or Castle Stuart. The origins of the place date back to the 16th century, and yes, of course the Bonny Prince played a big part in its history. He used the place as his lodging and battle headquarters. We stayed and dined there and had probably a much better night than the Charlie. High season rates start from £220.
Cabot Highlands 5 m – Nairn 13 m
Dowans Hotel
Charlestown of Aberlour
The Dowans is probably more of a hotel for whisky lovers on a Speyside tour, but it's not too bad for golfers either. With Boat of Garten and the two courses at Moray Golf Club, several highly ranked courses can be reached in under an hour's drive. The hotel is definitely worth a visit. And so are the restaurant and the impressive whisky bar. Very much so.
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Boat of Garten GC 29 m – Moray GC 21 m
Fairmont
St Andrews
My expectations were high when I checked-in at the Fairmount St Andrews Resort. And indeed, the hotel knows how to deliver. Well, except of a proper dinner. This might be because I have been there in shoulder season, or because of the Post-Covid lack of staff, or the Brexit, or everything together. Apart from this, everything else was really good. The rooms are excellent, and so was the breakfast, served in the very impressive hall of the hotel. Anything else? It is a Fairmount, so you better bring some money.
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Old Course 4 m – Kingsbarns 5 m - Crail 10 m
Gleneagles
Auchterarder
What can I say about the «The Glorious Playground» in the highlands that is not said a thousand times? Well, perhaps that it is as good as one may expect, and maybe even better. We stayed there for one night and the only negative was that we could not stay longer. Much longer. With three golf courses on site all in the Top100 of Scotland, fantastic restaurant options, world class breakfast and horse riding, gun dog schooling and even falconry for my better half, Gleneagles has everything you will ever ask from a resort. Rates start at around £400.
Gleneagles – Auchterader 1 m​​
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Golf View
Nairn
The Golf View is situated – you guessed it –​ in closest proximity to the famous Nairn Golf Club. I stayed there for a night some years ago because it is also quite close to Inverness Airport, our gateway to Dornoch when arriving from the mainland. The thing I remember best was my enormous room with an impressive four-poster bed and a really nice view over the Moray Firth. ​Rooms in the main season starts from £200 with highly attractive discounts during shoulder- and off-season.
Nairn 0,2 m – Cabot Highlands 11 m
Kilmarnock Arms
Cruden Bay
If you are planning to play Cruden Bay, Peterhead or Fraserburgh, look no further than to the fantastic Kilmarnock Arms. The hotel is rich in history and is very proud of its links to Irish writer Bram Stroker, who was a regular guest at the hotel. I stayed at the place with my brother during one of our matchplay weeks and also we had some Bloody Maries, the Count Dracula does not show up. ​
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Cruden Bay 0.7 m – Peterhead 9 m
Kinloch Lodge
Sleat, Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye might not be the best place for the avid golfer with only a single course to play but surely is one of the most attractive places for holiday makers in the whole of Scotland. The landscape with its mountains and the rugged shoreline is simply breathtaking and so is everything at Kinloch Lodge. The setting, the views, the food and beverage, the hospitality: Whatever is important to you, the Lodge will meet your expectations. Rooms start from £400 in the summer with good deals on BBD.
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Isle of Skye Golf 20 m
Mains of Taymouth
Kenmore
Regular readers of «Scottish Feld» will know this five star country retreat because of its massive advertising spendings with the magazine. Beautifully located on the banks of River Tay and close to the shores of Lake Tay, you will find all sorts of outdoor sports within easy reach. ​The apartments are very nice decorated. Ours, called "Bell Tower" was equipped with a cozy wood burner right in the middle of the combined kitchen and living room. Not bad, not bad.​ Rates differ from season to season and also from the 26! apartment styles.
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Taymouth – Pitlochry 22 m
Mansion House
Elgin
We stopped at this hotel in Elgin for a night on our way from Dornoch to the Cairngorms because my wife was able to go horse riding nearby and I was playing the Moray New Course in Loussiemouth. What can I say: the building really looks great from the outside. From the outside.​
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Moray Golf Club 6 m - Nairn 23 m
Maryculter House
Maryculter
The impressive Maryculter House, dated back to 1460, is about ten miles south-west of Abderdeen, on the banks of the River Dee. And although you can look out of your bedroom window onto a golf course, I wouldn't call it a golf hotel. But it is a very stylish stopover for anyone looking to do something other than golf in Scotland. The impressive ruins of Dunnottar Castle are just a stone's throw away, and the hotel is also an ideal base for excursions to Royal Deeside.
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Peterculter GC 4 m - Royal Aberdeen 12 m
Marine Hotel
North Berwick
The stunning Marine Hotel in pretty North Berwick is part of the Marine & Lawn Collection, all of which are situated close to top golf courses. In this case, the North Berwick West Links, which you can enjoy a wonderful view of from the sea-facing rooms. The hotel is extremely luxurious and should satisfy even the most discerning guests. Personally, it was enough for me to stand directly on the golf course from the hotel. I wasn't able to get a tee time, but a walk across the course is worth the rather high room rates alone. Good discounts in autumn.
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North Berwick West Links 1 m - The Glen 2 m
Old Manor Hotel
Lundin Links
Hotels in St Andrews are definitely not on the cheap side, but if you don’t bother to drive like 20 minutes, the Old Manor Hotel in Lundin Links is a good choice, not just for the St. Andrews courses but also for Lundin, Leven, Dumbarnie, Crail and so on. I got an upgrade when I stayed there during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. I had a fantastic room with an even greater view over the Firth of Forth and the Lundin Golf Course. Rooms start around £80 in low season. Check their website for some great B&B deals.
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Lundin – Leven 2 m – Dumbarnie 3.5 m
Old Meldrum House
Oldmeldrum
This impressive 13th-century manor house comes with its own golf course that is ranked in the Top100 of Scotland's golf courses. Not that bad, actually. The hotel itself is okay, as is the restaurant and the bar. At least I think so. We stayed there during the Corona period. The service wasn't great, but it wasn't anywhere at the time.​ Bonus: It takes you only around 40 minutes on easy driving roads to Cruden Bay and the Aberdeen Airport is even closer by.​​
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Meldrum GC – Royal Aberdeen 18 m
Royal Hotel
Campbeltown
The Royal Hotel is managed by the operators of Machrihanish Dunes. It is right on Campbeltown Harbor and so the view from the rooms is a real highlight. My room was really huge. A place to feel good in a hotel otherwise badly hit by the Covid pandemic. (At least I think so because the service at the reception and in the restaurant was quite disappointing.) Would I stay there again after the pandemic? Absolutely!​​ The room rate was £135 in the low season but should be significantly higher in the high season.​
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Machrihanish 5 m – Machrihanish Dunes 6 m
Royal Golf Apt's
Dornoch
Managed by the good ladies of Dornoch Town and Country Lettings, and as well from the Royal Golf Hotel, the well-equipped apartments for up to four persons impress with one thing above all: their location. You are in close proximity to the Royal Golf Hotel and thus to the first tee of the championship course. You can't stay any closer to the golf course in Dornoch. Rates start at £800 per week in low season and will climb to £1,400 in high season. ​
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Royal Dornoch – Tain 9 m – Brora 16 m
Royal Golf Hotel
Dornoch
As you can see in the picture, the Royal Golf Hotel is only a few steps from the Royal Dornoch clubhouse and the first tee of both the Championship and the Struie Course. Rooms are cosy and decorated to a high standard. Some of them have a fantastic view over the Championship Course, which is a clear bonus. The restaurant offers a good choice of food and the bar with its fireplace is a fine place to relax after a round at the links or a long walk along Dornoch's award-winning beaches. ​
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Royal Dornoch – Tain 9 m – Brora 16 m
Station Hotel
Dornoch
Opened in 2023 after extensive renovations, the Station Hotel is owned by the Marine & Lawn Group and is therefore a sister hotel to the Rusacks in St Andrews. In terms of price, the hotel is definitely at the extreme upper limit in Dornoch and I would imagine that it will be particularly busy in the summer months when the large golf groups come from overseas. When I was there, the hotel was open for the first week. But I've already booked again.
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Royal Dornoch – Tain 9 m – Brora 16 m
