Another round, please! The best of golf and breweries in Scotland

Who can say no to one more round?  

In a first full summer post-Covid 19, now is the perfect time to rally up your fellow golfers and get a real taste of Scotland, both on and off the course. While the Old Course at St Andrews deserves its acclaim, golf in Scotland is more than just those famous links. 

Home to over 550 courses, you’d be hard pressed to find a more suitable place to play than where it all began back in the 15th century, and for good reason.  

But why not experience what the home of golf has to offer away from the game as well, with a booming distilling industry whetting the appetite for your perfect summer golf getaway.  

The Scottish craft beer sector alone is flying and, in under a decade, between 2010 and 2018, has grown by a staggering 230%.  

With over 100 breweries across the country, the opportunities are limitless, while stunning links and inland courses will tee up your desire to sample Scotland’s heritage.  

Unsurprisingly, the game has boomed just as much, and there is nowhere better to discover new courses than the birthplace of golf itself.  

From North Berwick to Belhaven, the combination of golf and breweries ensures a Scottish summer trip worth remembering, and we can help you decide where best to start…

East Lothian  

If looking for luxury, ‘Scotland’s Golf Coast’ is the place to be. Home of the Genesis Scottish Open until at least 2026, East Lothian provides a world-class tourist spot. The 30 miles of breathtaking coastline holds the largest concentration of championship links courses in the world, while the historic routes delve past golf, as the ‘BEST’ distillery experience can be found nearby in Dunbar.  

Belhaven Brewery

Where: Belhaven, Dunbar  
Price: £15  
Capacity: 10 per tour  

Also known as ‘beautiful harbour’, Belhaven Brewery ‘nestles amongst the rolling barley fields of East Lothian’ and rests slightly inwards from arguably the world’s most famous stretch of links golf.  

Established in 1719, Belhaven boasts over 300 years of crafting experience to take 100% Scottish malted barley through a five-step brewing process. From milling and mashing to boiling the kettle, you won’t be let down by the taste of the nation’s favourite ales, stouts, and lagers.  

At just £15 per person, Belhaven offers an affordable tour that is a must for visiting groups this summer. With a capacity of ten people per tour, lasting between an hour and a half and two hours, there won’t be too many better ways to down tools (clubs) and enjoy a laidback distillery experience.   

Once you’ve learned all about Scotland’s most historic brewery, award-winning beers await in The Monks Retreat. Belhaven’s own pub sounds like a suitable sanctuary to relax after the perfect round of golf or take the edge off, well, one that wasn’t.  

Find out more here

Local Courses

By now, you’ll know that East Lothian is a paradise for avid golfers, with a rich list of choices. As 21 courses form Scotland’s No. 1 golf destination, we’ve picked out five that should be at the top of your list.  

Dunbar: This old-school Scottish course, above is a true throwback links challenge, with stunning scenery and tiny greens. Few courses in Scotland can say they have almost 400 years of documented golf history like Dunbar can, and it’s easy to see why the venue has played host to several prestigious events. With a homely clubhouse to welcome you back in, this charming coastal stop-off is everything you want it to be and more.  

Gullane: How else could we spoil you for course choice than to recommend Gullane? The club boasts three golf courses, all offering different challenges, but what remains constant are the coastal views across a truly blessed idyllic environment. Course No. 1 is expectedly the oldest and in conjunction with No. 2, hosted the 2015 and 2018 Scottish Open. No. 3 is the shortest but don’t be fooled, it will test your shot-making and creativity on an unconventional set-up overlooking Aberlady Bay to the Firth of Forth.  

Musselburgh Links: Experience a piece of golfing history with a round on the world’s oldest golf course. If that doesn’t sell the Musselburgh Links, then we’re not sure what will, as the original Open Championship venue is steeped in tradition. Located within the track of Musselburgh racecourse, this nine-hole course is like nothing you’ve played before, but where it lacks in length, ‘The Old Golf Course’ makes up for with well-guarded greens and peculiarity.  

North Berwick: PGA Tour star Max Homa enjoyed a round here mid-Scottish Open last year, and we think that’s as much a fair reason to stop here as any. With a first hole bordering the beach, expect a fair breeze, but also a warm welcome to the West Links. Situated on the Firth of Forth with breathtaking views across to Craigleith Island and Bass Rock, North Berwick is not overly punishing, but rather extremely enjoyable.   

The Glen: The East Links of The Glen provides an alternative venue to the aforementioned West Links, with the first tees less than a mile apart. In a town with a strong reputation for living and breathing golf, The Glen makes North Berwick a must-visit golfing hotspot. The James Braid and Ben Sayers design offers an affordable challenge that won’t beat you up, but instead leave you wanting more, with magnificent views being unveiled on your travels.  

Notable Mentions  

Duck’s Inn: Recognised as one of Scotland’s Golf Coasts’ most cherished retreats, the Ducks Inn at Aberlady has to be on your agenda when visiting this region. Right at the heart of the East Lothian countryside, this is the perfect place for golfers to stay, eat, and drink to fuel your golfing needs.

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Angus

Known as ‘Carnoustie Country’, you can guess what we will tell you about, but golf in Angus extends far past the 147th Open Championship venue. Over 30 golf courses line the east coast of Scotland and travel inland to the Angus and Perthshire glens. A combination of historic and newer courses place this ancient county high on the list of compelling golf regions.  

Angus Alchemy

Where: Carnoustie, Angus  
Price: £20-£45  
Capacity: Up to 20 people  

According to Angus Alchemy, you’re in for a devilishly good time, with ‘more spirits than an exorcist’s to-do list’ on offer.   

Four separate tasting experiences; The Alchemist, The Angus Local, The Albannach, and the Non-Alcoholic Flight, provide a unique sample of Scotland’s finest spirits.  

From world-class gin and rum to moonshine, vodka and whiskey, things have quite literally been shaken up to present an array of tasting choices.  

Open between 11am and 4pm every day, Angus Alchemy’s innovative and ‘cutting-edge’ operation gives you the chance to see distilling in a new light, with sampling sessions priced between £20 and £25, while tastings range from £20 for non-alcoholic flights to between £40 and £45 for their finest alcoholic options.  

Ironically located in Carnoustie, this modern distillery experience is the ideal trip to complement a championship golf break, bringing together two of the nation’s joys.  

The headquarters, under four miles from the fabled links, couldn’t be better placed to welcome golfers to one of Scotland’s greatest golfing resorts, while Monifieth and Panmure lie even closer.  

Find out more here

Local Courses

There is an extensive selection of inland and links courses within a 40-minute drive of the county’s headline course, acting as the pinnacle of golf at the epicentre of a historic golfing region.  

Carnoustie: As pure a test of golf that you will find, both in Scotland and across the world. Protected greens, ruthless bunkers, and dense rough come together to really show quite how good the pros can be, but if you’re lucky enough to get a game on the major championship venue, then take it in. While Carnoustie does not offer the scenic opportunities of other courses in Angus, it strips the game to its links core, and there is plenty of beauty in that.  

Panmure: A memorable golfing experience is certainly how the famous course at Panmure, above, can be described, from start to finish. Widely recognised for the charm of its classic, traditional clubhouse, warmth can be found on the course too, with heather bushes dotted around the tight fairways and undulating hillocks at one of Scotland’s finest combinations of links and heathland golf. 

Monifieth: Tom Watson won his first Claret Jug just a week after stepping foot on a Monifieth golf course for the first time, so while Monifieth’s two courses provide a more relaxed golfing experience than the likes of Carnoustie, they still come soaked in history. The classic Scottish layouts are arguably quite underrated, as the Medal and Ashludie courses provide different tests of strategic links skill.  

Montrose: Another opportunity for a 36-hole visitor package, Montrose Golf Links is comprised of the 1562 course, known for its natural brilliance, and the Broomfield Course, a short but challenging stretch of links golf. Starting and finishing in the town, either side of swinging by the coastline gives an unassuming, yet admirable feel. Montrose’s striking authenticity will lure any golfer in, and with coastal erosion on the horizon, now is the perfect time to go.  

Arbroath: Originally designed by Old Tom Morris, Arbroath has been revamped twice but still features those ancient changes. Sand and wind best characterise this challenge, as you’ll have to contend with over 70 bunkers running the length of the course, while the crisp sea breeze will play its part. But the reward? More beer and whiskey if you fancy it, as a spacious clubhouse and outside beer garden provide the perfect chance to unwind after a day on the links. 

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Glasgow 

Moving into the hustle and bustle of capital city life, you can find a more modern test of golf at the heart of Scotland. With no shortage of accommodation choices and a vibrant nightlife, Glasgow has everything a golfer could ask for and more.  

West Brewery

Where: Glasgow  
Price: £15/£45  
Capacity: N/A  

Get a taste of Germany in Glasgow, as WEST Brewery brings the ancient German Purity Law to Glasgow Green.   

Located in the iconic Templeton Building, a tour of WEST’s state-of-the-art brewery walks you through their famous brewing process in strict accordance with the 1516 Reinheitsgebot.  

Literally translating as ‘purity order’, the Bavarian-inspired beer is limited in its production to only using water, malt, hops, and yeast in order to promise purity and quality.  

While the original WEST Brewery tour and tasting lasts one hour, a range of weekend ‘tee-off times’ at just £15 per person ensures you have the choice to play and taste on the same day or upgrade to the WEST Experience, and enjoy a three-course meal afterwards for £45.  

Just ten minutes away from Glasgow’s Queen Street station, you’ll be within touching distance of the city centre and within half an hour of all the golfing hotspots we can’t recommend enough.  

Local Courses   

There is an extensive selection of inland Cawder: The Championship course at Cawder is home to Scotland’s very own ‘Amen Corner’, as the stretch between the 13th and 16th holes represents Glasgow’s version of the iconic Augusta National holes. Originally designed by the renowned golf architect James Braid, the course has been slightly remodelled since, but you’ll find a contemporary course steeped in tradition, with sublime greens and views of the Campsies.  

Haggs Castle: On the southside of Glasgow, this is one of Glasgow’s more exquisite tests and has hosted several professional and amateur events over the years. This championship standard parkland course, above, has a stellar back-nine that will challenge various parts of your game, leaving your group coming back for more. EuroPro Tour Qualifying School took place here in 2016 and 2018, so this is certainly one of Glasgow’s premier golf options.  

Balmore: The shorter golfers off the tee will enjoy this one, but despite measuring just 5,542 yards, this is no pitch-and-putt. Balmore is one of Glasgow’s hidden gems, and recent developments have allowed for a first-class property with all 18 greens laid to USGA specifications. Balmore is far from a taxing track, but you can find plenty of joy here this summer, as a course in excellent condition with spectacular views.  

Cathkin Braes: This is the oldest golf club in the Glasgow area, and you’ll struggle to find more authentic views, with Ben Lomond and Ben More to the north and the hills of Arran in the distance. For those here for the golf, though, you will be every bit as satisfied finding tree-lined fairways and well-placed bunkers at one of the best inland courses the West of Scotland has to offer.  

Notable mention  

Topgolf: The only way to describe Topgolf would be to call it the ultimate golfing experience. Golf in its most contemporary form, it feels right that Glasgow has somewhere that offers the energetic abundance of Topgolf to match the city’s buzzing nightlife, and now you can enjoy hitting bombs at the same time. With climate-controlled driving range bays, micro-chipped golf balls and Toptracer technology, you could spend weeks here playing virtual courses or even nearest the pin.   

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Cairngorms  

The romantic scenery and imposing environmental presence of the UK’s largest national park is a worthy excuse to visit, but you know what we want to tempt you with – golf and beer can be enjoyed in the Eastern Highlands of Scotland as much as anywhere else.  

Cairngorm Brewery

Where: Aviemore, Cairngorms  
Price: £10 per person  
Capacity: Up to 20 people   

A warm Highland welcome can be expected in the undisturbed village of Aviemore, and with crystal clear mountain water at its disposal, the finest Scottish beers can be located in the Cairngorms.  

With traditional recipes kept in the mix, there is a well-established portfolio of beers brewed within the heart of the National Park, while new contemporary brews develop an already stretching selection.  

Capable of producing 6500 litres of ale every day, it’s no wonder this is an award-winning team of beer lovers.  

The brewery no longer operates a tour of the production areas, but a tasting experience can still do the trick and meet your beer sampling needs as a quintessential part of any Cairngorms golf trip.   

Within walking distance of Aviemore’s premier independent hotel, the Cairngorm Hotel, the brewery is in the perfect spot for relaxing throughout your trip to one of Scotland’s most endearing golf destinations. 

Local Courses  

Scenic backdrops surround every hole, but the quality of golf courses in the Cairngorms is every bit as impressive. All have contrasting difficulty levels and temperaments, so there is a course for every golfer leaving little to be desired.  

Macdonald Spey Valley Championship: A guy called Brooks Koepka holds the course record of 62 here and has since won four major championships, so why not try it? This championship course possesses some of the best views in the world, and its astonishing beauty is matched by the challenging aspects of a pure golf course, which make it one of the few world-class inland courses in the home of golf.  

Kingussie: Highland golf at its best, there have been few changes to the overall feel of Kingussie over the years despite improvements and modifications to the course. With generous fairways and greens like carpets, this is a round to be enjoyed, especially for those who like to get out and around fairly quickly. For its very reasonable green fees, you’ll be met with a quirky course elevated over the town of Kingussie.  

Grantown on Spey: A leafy parkland venue overlooking the Cairngorm mountains with a golf holiday feel. Short par-fours make this a more relaxed test of your golfing ability, as accuracy takes priority from power here. Overall, a neat, compact course lined by pine trees, featuring a generous combination of parkland and woodland golf.  

Boat of Garten: As the gateway to the Highlands, this James Braid design, above, offers every piece of scenery imaginable. You’ll need a variety of shots in the locker to manage your way around this captivating course, which takes on an undulating style to keep you guessing what might come next. ‘The Boat’ travels alongside the River Spey, and its luscious fairways are flanked by the natural lure of birch trees, heather, and broom.  

Notable mention 

NC500: The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s ultimate road trip, spanning 516 miles around the North Coast of Scotland providing an endless dose of astounding coastal scenery, immaculate sandy beaches, and rugged mountains. The advised time to complete ‘Scotland’s Route 66’ is around seven days, but this adventure can take you through the Cairngorms, so the option to isolate this golfing promised land on your travels sounds good to us. 

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