St. Andrews and the East

No golfing trip to Scotland is complete without visiting Golf’s spiritual home. In this small corner of the country you can literally smell the games history in your nostrils with courses such as Muirfield Carnoustie, Kingbarns and golf’s most famous and historic venue, The Old Course at St Andrews all residing within close proximity to each other.

Muirfield first held The British Open in 1892 and has gone on to host the championship on no fewer than 15 occasions, most recently in 2002 when Ernie Els won his only Claret Jug. The layout has always been a favourite of Jack Nicklaus who won his first British Open there in 1966 and famously named one of his greatest course designs, Muirfield Village, after it.

Of course Carnoustie and The Old Course are also very much identified with The British Open and over the years have borne witness to some of the most dramatic moments in ‘major’ championship history including Seve Ballesteros’ famous win in 1984, Tiger Woods’ record breaking victory in 2000 and Padraig Harrington’s nail biting playoff triumph over Sergio Garcia in 2007.

Kingsbarns is ‘the newest kid on the block’ having only been opened in 2000 but has already garnered a reputation as a course of the highest quality and together with The Old Course and Carnoustie co-hosts the annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Away from the links experience the east of Scotland also features some fine parkland courses such as the resplendent Dukes Golf Club and the magnificent Gleneagles Resort, which offers up 3 high quality layouts, the Kings Course, the Queen’s Course and The PGA Centenary Course – venue for the 40th Ryder Cup Matches in 2014.

Off the course this region has so much to offer including fabulous luxury accommodation at The Old Course Hotel and Rusacks Hotel in St Andrews. There are also memorable Scotch whisky tours available that will offer you the opportunity to visit some of the worlds most famous distilleries including: Glenturret and Tullibardine.

Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh is also within easy reach. With the country’s most famous castle dominating the city skyline there is plenty to see and do with the perfect balance between all things traditional and contemporary. By day take a tour on an open-top bus, visit the world renowned Edinburgh Castle and enjoy fabulous shopping on Prince’s Street. By night stop by the Stanley Berkeley Casino where you can enjoy the full range of exciting gaming opportunities in a relaxed entertaining environment.

Carr’s Recommendation for St. Andrew's & the East

Golf – Carr’s Recommendation

• St. Andrews Old Course
• Muirfield
• Carnoustie
• Kingsbarns

Hidden Gems

• Dukes
• Gleneagles

Hotels – Carr’s Recommendation

• The Old Course Hotel
• Rusacks Hotel
• The Scotsman, Edinburgh