When traveling in Scotland, golf and whisky are the perfect pairing. It’s a combination that represents the very essence of Golf and the Good Life.
To that end, whisky tours represent our most requested Good Life activity when the itinerary calls for a little time off the course. From The Highlands, to Edinburgh, to the Mull of Kintyre, the options for golf and whisky during a tour of Scotland are almost limitless.
Assuming, of course, that you’ve enlisted an H&B Driver-Host to take the wheel between distilleries.
Here are 7 combinations to enjoy Scotland’s two greatest exports: golf and whisky.
Kingsbarns Golf Links and Kingsbarns Distillery
Two of the new kids on the block for golf and whisky in Scotland happen to be located right next door to one another. Since its debut in 2000, Kingsbarns Golf Links has quickly become a favorite among the H&B Forces and has given birth to the term “Modern Classic.”
Roughly 500 yards as the crow flies from the 12th fairway, the Kingsbarns Distillery opened in 2014 and recently bottled their first vintage of single malt. The distillery features an enjoyable tour, and gin lovers can even make their own recipe of the spirit in a private class. It also happens to be the closest whisky distillery to the Old Course at St. Andrews.
Royal Dornoch and Glenmorangie
When it comes to golf and whisky, few pairings can match the greatness of Royal Dornoch and Glenmorangie. The former is the highest ranked course in Great Britain, the latter has been bottling single malts since before the Civil War. The bond between these two greats is so strong, Royal Dornoch actually renamed its 18th hole “Glenmorangie” in honor of the distillery in 2013.
The best way to see Glenmorangie… In the company of Gavin, H&B’s outstanding personal guide in The Highlands.
Cruden Bay and Glen Garioch
After 18-holes at the delightful and enigmatic Cruden Bay Golf Club, chances are that you’ll want to reminisce on the round over a glass with your playing partners. If so, your first stop should be the Cruden Bay clubhouse, which features one of the finest views in Scottish golf.
From there, set off to the historic market town of Oldmeldrum and Scotland’s easternmost distillery. Glen Garioch has been producing small-batch whisky since 1797, and many of its earliest traditions carry on to this day.
The Machrie and the Three Distilleries Walk
The isle of Islay and its peaty whiskies has long been one of Scotland’s great regions for the golden nectar, but it’s the reimagination of The Machrie Golf Links and its accompanying hotel which has elevated the island to “perfect pairing” status.
In our view, The Machrie just might be the greatest thing to happen to Scottish golf since Castle Stuart. Our friend Martin Kaufmann agreed after his own visit for this piece in GolfWeek.
When combined with a stroll down the Three Distilleries Walk – with stops at Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg – you have an unmatched pairing of Golf and the Good Life.
North Berwick and the Whisky Sites of Edinburgh
The West Links at North Berwick is like that very first sip of a great whisky. Every hole, every shot, every glance over the sea fills the golfer with a satisfying tingle that lingers long after the round is over. Although the whisky attractions are slim near North Berwick, a short drive to Edinburgh unveils a variety of options.
At the Scotch Whisky Experience, enjoy an insightful tour followed by a tasting from the nearly 3400 bottles on hand. Or pay a visit to the members-only Scotch Malt Whisky Society as part of an enriching tour of the city with an H&B personal guide. Then there’s the aptly named Scotch at The Balmoral, where “Whisky Ambassadors” will guide you through one of the largest collections in Scotland in the most refined of settings.
Machrihanish and Springbank
At the end of Paul McCartney’s Long and Winding Road lies one of Scotland’s finest combinations of golf and whisky. The Machrihanish Golf Club is an untouched Old Tom Morris design that features nothing short of the best opening tee shot in golf. Just a short drive away in the village of Campbeltown, the Springbank Distillery has been crafting its whisky since 1828, and also happens to be a personal favorite of our Founder & Chairman, as noted in this piece in the Chicago Tribune.
Turnberry and A.D. Rattray’s
The Ayrshire region of Scotland is home to the Birthplace of The Open Championship as well as two members of the current Rota. Although there’s an abundance of whisky to be found while enjoying Golf and the Good Life at Turnberry Scotland, there isn’t much for the area to boast when it comes to whisky production. The one notable exception, however, is A.D. Rattray’s in Kirkoswald. Located in the village’s former schoolhouse, A.D. Rattray’s has been selecting and aging casks of whisky since 1868. Visitors can tour, sample, and shop for Scotland’s greatest export just a few short miles from the famed Ailsa course.
With over 100 active distilleries and 500 golf courses, there are countless ways to enjoy golf and whisky when traveling in Scotland. No matter where this perfect pairing is found, however, there’s no denying it’s the very definition of Golf and the Good Life.
Our free guide includes over 40 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in Scotland.
To continue researching your Scotland golf tour, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
If you’re ready to experience Golf at its Finest with Haversham & Baker…
Discover More of Golf at its Finest with H&B
