The very best clubhouses in Scottish golf

Every good golf course needs a top quality clubhouse, right?

You won’t be surprised to learn that, as the ‘Home of Golf’, Scotland has a rich and diverse selection of such premises.

From centuries-old delights to modern masterpieces, plus Scottish golf clubs you might never have heard of, there’s a little bit of everything and, genuinely, something to suit every taste.

Below, in no particular, we run the rule over some of our favourites. Is your favourite on here? Have we missed any out? Get in touch with us via our Facebook page or on Twitter to let us know.

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Blairgowrie

How good is the large, luxurious clubhouse at Blairgowrie? Well, it won the ‘Best Clubhouse’ gong at the 2017 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards, so… More info

Castle Stuart

A magnificent piece of art-deco architecture, the spectacular clubhouse at this popular Scottish Open venue is built on three levels. For the full effect, venture out of the terrace that wraps around the men’s locker room to take in one of the best views in Scottish golf. More info

St Andrews, Castle Course

Affectionately described by some people as ‘The UFO’, there is far more to the clubhouse at the Castle Course, St. Andrews, than its unusual, circular construction. The views over St Andrews Bay are truly breathtaking, whilst the fare served up by the Rock & Spindle restaurant will tickle even the most discerning tastebuds. More info

Prestwick, Old

With its wood-panelled walls and remarkable collection of memorabilia, the clubhouse at Prestwick golf club – ‘The Birthplace of The Open’ – is bursting with character. The ‘Smoke Room’ and ‘Dining Room’ are particularly special. More info

Panmure

Fun fact: the atmospheric clubhouse at Panmure golf club was modelled, both architecturally and spiritually, on Royal Calcutta Golf Club, borne out of the close trading relationship between Dundee and Calcutta at the height of the jute industry. More info

Royal Musselburgh Golf Club

A clubhouse fit for a king, Prestongrange House dates back to the 1500s (at the very least) and was, at one time, owned by the Norman family, de Quincy. That was until they supported the losing side in the run-up to the Battle of Bannockburn. Since then, it has been owned by the families of Kerr, Morrsion and Grant (amongst others) before it was bought by the Coal Welfare Organisation in 1958 to be the clubhouse for the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club. Incidentally, a painted ceiling dating to 1581 was discovered above old plaster during renovations and is now preserved in Napier University. More info

Loch Lomond Golf Club

The magnificent Rossdhu House needs little introduction to those who can recall Scottish Opens played by the ‘Bonnie Bonks’. Dating to the late 18th century, this fine classical mansion was once the seat of the Colquhouns of Luss. It was subsequently rented to the Loch Lomond Golf Club in 1993. More info

Pitlochry

The distinctive red roof of the clubhouse at the delightful Pitlochry Golf Club is, one assumes, a subtle nod to the red deer that roam the surrounding countryside and after whom the clubhouse restaurant and bar are named. Indeed, the club’s logo is that of a red deer. Suitably charming, cosy and friendly, this clubhouse is the perfect complement to a course that is truly one of Scotland’s ‘hidden gems’. More info

Dumbarnie Golf Links

Scotland’s newest golf course has, appropriately enough, a superb clubhouse. Understated and spacious, it looks out over the first hole and towards the Firth of Forth beyond. The same architecture firm that designed this clubhouse – G1 Associates – also gave life to the aforementioned art-deco beauty at Castle Stuart. More info

Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers

Throw off your preconceptions about the East Lothian club, open your mind and consider these interesting facts about the clubhouse that has formed the backdrop to several editions of The Open. Built in 1891 for just over £1,500, the original clubhouse was rather unfavourably described as a ‘box-framed salon’ with its Elizabethan design and half-timbered main gable. It has evolved over time into the fine, eye-catching building it is today. From the inside, meantime, all of the main public rooms look out onto the course (a major plus point) and have an interesting selection of pictures and memorabilia. More info

Royal Burgess Golfing Society

If you were to conduct a straw poll of the membership at Royal Burgess, a significant proportion would likely tell you that it is the clubhouse and not the course that is the real standout at this historic Edinburgh club. That’s no slight on the course, incidentally. Rather, it serves to show the high regard in which this Victorian building is kept. A fine example of ‘Arts and Crafts’ architecture from the late Victorian period, it “combines glorious period detail with contemporary comfort” as the club’s own website acknowledges. More info

Gullane Golf Club

With its striking, bright white exterior, there is no mistaking the Members’ Clubhouse as you drive into Gullane. A historic building packed with wonderful memorabilia, no visit is complete without checking out ‘Rickie’s Bar’, named after Rickie Fowler, winner of the 2015 Scottish Open staged at Gullane. More info

Swanston Golf Club

Opened in 2007, the current clubhouse at Swanston Golf Club – located on the outskirts of Edinburgh – is everything a modern golf clubhouse should be: family-friendly, spacious and designed to make full use of the fantastic views. More info

Links House, Carnoustie

Officially opened in April 2018 ahead of The Open Championship taking place on the Championship Course that summer, the Links House at Carnoustie Golf Links is the world-class facility that this world-class links had been crying out for. ‘The Rookery’, located on the first floor, is the real star. The links’ destination restaurant with panoramic views of the golf courses and the sea, it serves some of the finest food in the area. More info

The R&A Clubhouse, St Andrews

How could we possibly leave out arguably the most iconic clubhouse in the world? The foundation stone for the R&A clubhouse at St. Andrews was laid all the way back in 1853 with the building having changed significantly in the intervening 160 years or so. Home to the game’s governing body (R&A chief exec Martin Slumbers has his office here), the building also contains a number of priceless pieces of golf memorabilia. More info