Scotland Golf Tours 2026 | St Andrews, Royal Troon, Turnberry, Carnoustie

Q: What else is included beyond golf?

Cooee Scotland packages include international flights coordinated through our partner network, luxury accommodation (typically 5-star or character hotels — Old Course Hotel St Andrews, Trump Turnberry, Gleneagles, Carnoustie Golf Hotel), private ground transportation throughout, all green fees and caddie costs, distillery tours (Highland Park, Glenkinchie, or whisky-region of choice), castle visits, traditional Scottish meals, and a Cooee guide travelling with groups of 12 or more. Smaller groups are hosted by our trusted Scottish destination partners.

Why Scotland

The Source of the Game

Scotland is where golf began, where the rules were written, and where the Open Championship rotates between five venues whose names every serious golfer knows. St Andrews Old Course is the spiritual home — the Swilcan Bridge, the Road Hole, the Valley of Sin — but the country's links character extends far beyond Fife. The Ayrshire coast holds Royal Troon and Turnberry Ailsa within thirty kilometres of each other; the East Lothian coast east of Edinburgh stacks classics from North Berwick to Muirfield; and the Highlands deliver Royal Dornoch, consistently rated among the world's top ten courses despite being a six-hour drive north of Edinburgh.

From Australia, securing tee times at these venues independently is genuinely difficult. The St Andrews Old Course operates on an annual ballot for advance dates, with limited daily walk-up availability — the dates you want and the dates the ballot returns rarely align with international flight schedules. Carnoustie, Royal Troon, and Turnberry have similar advance-booking constraints. Cooee Tours has spent 35 years building Links Trust and member-club relationships that secure guaranteed tee times as part of our hosted Scotland packages, removing the ballot uncertainty from the experience.

A typical Cooee Scotland tour begins with three to four nights in St Andrews — Old Course Tuesday or Wednesday, New Course or Jubilee on alternate days, plus a Carnoustie round and a Kingsbarns afternoon. Then a transfer west to Ayrshire for two nights at Trump Turnberry or the Marine Hotel Troon, with rounds at Royal Troon Old and Turnberry Ailsa. Optional extensions add East Lothian (North Berwick + Gullane) for an Edinburgh-side conclusion, or the Highlands route to Royal Dornoch via the Cairngorms and the malt whisky region. The whole experience is bookended by Edinburgh or Glasgow city stays for cultural and dining context.

What Makes Scotland Distinct

St Andrews Old Course — 600+ years of golf, the original
Four of five Scotland Open Championship venues accessible
Royal Dornoch — Highland heritage, world top 10 rankings
North Berwick West Links — pure heritage East Lothian
Castle hotel accommodation across all routes
Whisky distillery tours integrated with golf days

⛳ St Andrews · Old Course

"Where the rules were written and the Open Championship lives."

Three Distinct Regions

Scotland Region by Region

Scotland's golf splits cleanly into Fife and the East Coast (St Andrews + Carnoustie), the Ayrshire west coast (Royal Troon + Turnberry), and the East Lothian + Highlands axis (North Berwick + Royal Dornoch). Most premium tours combine the first two; longer itineraries add the Highlands.

Covered Below ↓Home of Golf

Fife & East Coast

St Andrews + Carnoustie

St Andrews · Carnoustie · Kingsbarns

The heart of every Scotland golf trip — three to four nights in St Andrews with the Old Course as the anchor round, plus the New Course or Jubilee on alternate days. Carnoustie Championship 50 minutes north on the Tay coast (the brutal "Carnasty" of Open lore), and Kingsbarns just down the coast from St Andrews as the modern links inclusion.

See Featured Courses ↓

Covered Below ↓Open Coast

Ayrshire West Coast

Royal Troon + Turnberry

Royal Troon · Turnberry Ailsa · Prestwick

The Ayrshire west coast — Royal Troon Old (Open venue, par 71) with the Postage Stamp eighth, and Turnberry Ailsa thirty kilometres south with the iconic Ailsa Craig backdrop and the lighthouse hole. Two nights at Trump Turnberry or the Marine Hotel Troon, with the Isle of Arran framing every round.

See Featured Courses ↓

Covered Below ↓Heritage Routes

East Lothian + Highlands

North Berwick + Royal Dornoch

North Berwick · Royal Dornoch · Gullane

Two heritage extensions — North Berwick West Links on the East Lothian coast east of Edinburgh (the "Redan" hole, world template for redan greens), and Royal Dornoch six hours north in the Highlands (consistently world top 10, six-hole stretch on the bay among golf's most photographed). The 14-day Grand Scotland additions.

See Featured Courses ↓

Featured Courses

Six Layouts Across Scotland

St Andrews Old Course as the cc-hero anchor, plus three Open Championship venues, Royal Dornoch's Highland heritage, and North Berwick's East Lothian classic. All tee times secured through Cooee's established Links Trust and member-club relationships.

St Andrews Old Course Swilcan Bridge Road Hole home of golf

Hero · Home of Golf

600+ Years

St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

St Andrews — The Old Course

18 HolesPar 72Open Championship VenueHandicap Required

The original. Six hundred years of golf, the source of the rulebook, the spiritual home of the game. Walk the Swilcan Bridge on the 18th, navigate the Road Hole's notorious 17th, and find the Valley of Sin guarding the home green. Cooee's Links Trust relationships secure guaranteed Old Course tee times — removing the annual ballot uncertainty that makes independent booking from Australia genuinely difficult. Handicap certificate required (men 36, ladies 45).

The Swilcan Bridge, Road Hole, Valley of Sin
Open Championship venue (every 5 years)
Guaranteed tee times through Links Trust
Handicap required: men 36, ladies 45

Enquire — St Andrews Old

Carnoustie Championship Course Tay coast Scotland

Open Venue · "Carnasty"

Open Rota

Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland

Carnoustie Championship

18 HolesPar 72Open Championship VenueHandicap Required

The brutal one. Carnoustie's Championship Course on the Tay coast 50 minutes north of St Andrews has earned its "Carnasty" nickname through generations of Open Championship drama — the Barry Burn snaking through the 17th and 18th, the wind off the North Sea, the closing stretch widely considered the toughest in championship golf. Last hosted the Open in 2018; returning to the rota. Handicap requirements: men 28, ladies 36.

Open Championship venue, last hosted 2018
The Barry Burn, "Carnasty" 17th & 18th
50 min north of St Andrews on Tay coast
Handicap required: men 28, ladies 36

Enquire — Carnoustie

Royal Troon Old Course Ayrshire Postage Stamp Open

Open · Ayrshire

Open Rota

Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland

Royal Troon — Old Course

18 HolesPar 71Open Championship VenueHandicap Required

The Ayrshire west coast Open venue with the most famous short hole in golf — the eighth, the Postage Stamp, 123 yards of pure punishment with five bunkers protecting a green smaller than most car parks. Royal Troon's Old Course routes out into the wind for nine holes then turns home, with the Isle of Arran framing every shot from the elevated tee boxes. Last hosted the Open in 2024.

Open Championship venue, hosted 2024
The Postage Stamp 8th — golf's most famous short hole
Isle of Arran framing the routing
Handicap required: men 18, ladies 30

Enquire — Royal Troon

Turnberry Ailsa Course lighthouse hole Ailsa Craig

Open · Ailsa Craig

Open Rota

Turnberry, South Ayrshire, Scotland

Turnberry — Ailsa Course

18 HolesPar 71Open Championship VenueTrump Turnberry Resort

South of Royal Troon, the Ailsa Course at Turnberry combines Open Championship pedigree with arguably the most photographed lighthouse hole in golf — the redesigned 9th, played from a tee at the base of the lighthouse out to a green atop the cliffs, with the Ailsa Craig granite plug framing the Atlantic horizon. Last hosted the Open in 2009 and famous for the 1977 "Duel in the Sun" between Watson and Nicklaus.

Open Championship venue, last hosted 2009
Lighthouse 9th — golf's most photographed hole
Ailsa Craig granite plug Atlantic backdrop
On-site Trump Turnberry resort accommodation

Enquire — Turnberry

Royal Dornoch Highlands Scotland world top 10

Highlands · World Top 10

Heritage

Dornoch, Sutherland Highlands, Scotland

Royal Dornoch

18 HolesPar 70World Top 10Highlands Heritage

Six hours north of Edinburgh in Sutherland — Royal Dornoch is consistently rated among the world's top ten courses despite (or because of) its remoteness. Old Tom Morris extended the original layout in 1886, and the natural duneland routing has barely changed since. The fourth-through-ninth stretch along Dornoch Bay is among the most photographed in golf. The natural Highlands extension on a 14-day Grand Scotland tour, paired with Speyside whisky distillery touring.

World top 10 ranking, Old Tom Morris design
The 4th–9th bay stretch, photographed worldwide
6 hours north of Edinburgh
Pairs with Speyside whisky distillery extension

Enquire — Royal Dornoch

East Lothian · Heritage

Heritage

North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland

North Berwick West Links

18 HolesPar 71Heritage 1832East Lothian Coast

Forty minutes east of Edinburgh on the East Lothian coast — North Berwick West Links has the kind of heritage that pre-dates the Open Championship itself, founded 1832. The Redan 15th hole has been copied at hundreds of courses worldwide as the template "redan green" — the original is here. Quirky links character with stone walls in play, blind shots, and views across the Firth of Forth to Bass Rock. The natural Edinburgh-side conclusion to a Scotland trip.

Founded 1832 — heritage pre-dating the Open
The Redan 15th — golf's most copied template hole
40 min east of Edinburgh
Stone walls, blind shots, Bass Rock views

Enquire — North Berwick

Scotland Tour Pricing Guide

Indicative starting prices per person, twin share, AUD. Pricing reflects fully-hosted Scotland packages including international flights coordinated through partners, 5-star hotel accommodation, all green fees including the Old Course, private transport, and a Cooee guide for groups of 12+. Premium tier hotels (Old Course Hotel St Andrews, Trump Turnberry, Gleneagles) on the upper packages.

Package	From (per person, AUD)
7-day Fife focus (St Andrews + Carnoustie)	AUD $7,995
10-day Scotland Highlights (Fife + Ayrshire)	AUD $11,995
12-day Open Championship Venues	AUD $14,995
14-day Grand Scotland Tour (incl. Highlands)	AUD $17,995
21-day Scotland + UK extension	AUD $24,995
Premium tier (Old Course Hotel + Trump Turnberry)	+ AUD $4,500
Corporate / private group (up to 16)	POA

Call +61 (0) 409 661 342 Get a Tailored Quote

What You Get

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

International flights from Australia (coordinated through partners)
Edinburgh or Glasgow airport transfers
Luxury hotel accommodation throughout (5-star or character-tier)
All green fees including St Andrews Old Course
Caddie costs at all featured courses
Private ground transportation between regions
Cooee guide travelling with groups of 12+ for full duration
Selected Scottish meals + welcome dinner
One distillery tour (Highland Park, Glenkinchie, or region of choice)

Not Included

UK visa or ETA processing (Australians eligible for ETA)
Travel insurance (we strongly recommend)
Lunches and clubhouse drinks (own expense)
Beverages outside hosted dinners
Pro shop purchases and golf merchandise
Caddie tips (suggested £40–60 per round)
Optional Edinburgh city tours and museum entries
Personal expenses and gratuities

Practical Notes

Good to Know

Getting there: Direct flights Australia → London (Heathrow), then connect Heathrow → Edinburgh (1 hour) or Glasgow (1 hour 10 minutes). Alternatively Australia → Singapore → London with Qantas/Emirates/Singapore Airlines. Total Brisbane-to-Edinburgh travel time approximately 24–28 hours including connections. Allow a buffer day at arrival to recover from the long-haul flight before the first round.
Best time of year: May to September. July is peak with the longest daylight (sunset around 10pm in Fife — comfortable evening rounds even after a full day's travel). May, June, September offer excellent conditions with fewer crowds and softer pricing. Avoid Open Championship week unless your tour includes ticketed access — accommodation is impossible and prices triple within 50km of the host venue.
Handicap certificates: St Andrews Old Course (men 36, ladies 45), Carnoustie (men 28, ladies 36), Royal Troon (men 18, ladies 30), Turnberry (men 28, ladies 36), Royal Dornoch (men 24, ladies 36). Cooee advises clients obtain current home-club handicap certificates at least 6 weeks before travel. We can coordinate documentation requirements with your home pro.
Caddies: Most Scottish championship courses recommend or require caddies. Caddie fees (~£60-80 per round) are included in Cooee packages; tips (£40-60 per round, suggested) are additional. Caddies make the difference on links courses where local knowledge of wind, mounding, and green reading is essential — they're worth every pound.
Visa requirements: Australian passport holders can travel to the UK on the new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) — apply online ~3 days before departure, £10 fee. Replaces the previous visa-waiver arrangement. We provide the application link with your itinerary documentation.
Weather and golf: Scotland golf is genuine links golf — wind, rain, sun all in the same round is normal. Cooee provides advice on golf-specific waterproofs and recommends layering. Most courses won't close for weather unless conditions are dangerous — the locals play through and so should you.
Beyond golf: Distillery touring (Speyside, Islay, Highlands), Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile, Loch Ness, Cairngorms hill walking, North Berwick coastal walks, the West Sands beach at St Andrews (the Chariots of Fire opening sequence). All easily integrated into rest days between golf-heavy days.

Plan Your Scotland Trip

Tell us your dates, group size, and which courses are non-negotiable. We'll come back within 48 hours with a tailored Scotland itinerary including guaranteed tee times, accommodation tier options, and full pricing.

Call +61 (0) 409 661 342 Email an Enquiry

From Our Travellers

What Golfers Say

Note: Reviews shown below are illustrative composites drawn from common Scotland-tour feedback themes. Genuine traveller testimonials are being gathered and will replace these as a fresh set of verified TripAdvisor and Google reviews comes through from recent international tours.

★★★★★

"Playing the Old Course with the Swilcan Bridge crossing on the 18th was a lifetime moment. Cooee's tee time on a Wednesday in late May meant we walked off the green into pub lunch at the Jigger Inn — perfect. The handicap certificate paperwork they handled in advance saved us a lot of last-minute stress."

Graham & Lisa S.

Melbourne, VIC

★★★★★

"Twelve days, four Open venues — St Andrews Old, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Turnberry Ailsa. The contrast between Carnoustie's brutality and the Ailsa Craig backdrop at Turnberry made the trip. Trump Turnberry resort accommodation was exceptional. Cooee's caddie arrangements at every venue made all the difference."

Mark J.

Brisbane, QLD

★★★★★

"The Highland extension to Royal Dornoch was the unexpected highlight. Six hours north of Edinburgh through the Cairngorms with the Speyside distilleries en route — the bay stretch at Dornoch is genuinely as photographed as advertised. Worth the drive. Worth every minute of the 14-day commitment."

Andrew & the Six Friends

Sydney, NSW

Common Questions

Scotland Golf FAQs

How do I book a tee time at St Andrews Old Course?+

St Andrews Old Course tee times are released through an annual ballot, advance reservation system, and limited daily walk-up. From Australia, securing dates that align with international travel is genuinely difficult independently. Cooee Tours' established relationships with the St Andrews Links Trust secure guaranteed tee times as part of our hosted Scotland packages, removing the ballot uncertainty entirely. Handicap certificate required (men 36, ladies 45) — we advise clients to obtain this from their home club before travelling.

What's the difference between the Old Course and the other St Andrews layouts?+

St Andrews Links Trust manages seven courses: the Old Course (the one), the New Course (1895), Jubilee, Eden, Strathtyrum, Balgove (9-hole), plus the Castle Course (2008). The Old Course is the world-famous Open Championship venue with the Swilcan Bridge, Road Hole, and Valley of Sin — typically the headline round on a Cooee Scotland package. The New Course and Jubilee are also superb championship layouts and frequently included as additional rounds in extended packages.

What is Open Championship rota and which Scotland courses host?+

The Open Championship rotates between ten venues, with five in Scotland: St Andrews Old Course (the spiritual home, hosting the Open every five years), Carnoustie (Tay coast Championship Course), Royal Troon (Ayrshire west coast), Turnberry Ailsa (south Ayrshire), and Muirfield (East Lothian, member-only access). Cooee Scotland packages typically include three of the four publicly-accessible Open venues — St Andrews, Carnoustie, and either Royal Troon or Turnberry depending on the itinerary.

What's the best time of year for Scotland golf?+

May through September is the prime Scotland golf window. July is peak season with the longest daylight hours (sunset around 10pm in Fife — comfortable evening rounds). May, June, and September offer excellent conditions with fewer crowds and softer pricing. April and October bookend the shoulder season — playable but with shorter days and more weather variability.

Do I need a low handicap to play these courses?+

Most Scotland championship venues have handicap certificate requirements. St Andrews Old Course requires men 36 / ladies 45 (achievable for most regular golfers). Carnoustie requires men 28 / ladies 36 (more demanding). Royal Troon and Turnberry have similar requirements. Cooee advises all clients to obtain a current handicap certificate from their home golf club at least 6 weeks before travel.

How long should a Scotland golf trip be?+

7 days is the minimum for a meaningful Scotland golf experience — typically focused on Fife with St Andrews as the anchor. 10–12 days is the standard premium tour, adding Ayrshire (Royal Troon + Turnberry) and a Highlands extension to Royal Dornoch. 14-day Grand Scotland tours add East Lothian (North Berwick) and additional cultural experiences. 21-day combinations extend into Ireland or England via the UK extension format.

What else is included beyond golf?+

Cooee Scotland packages include international flights, luxury accommodation (typically 5-star or character hotels — Old Course Hotel St Andrews, Trump Turnberry, Gleneagles, Carnoustie Golf Hotel), private ground transportation, all green fees and caddie costs, distillery tours, castle visits, traditional Scottish meals, and a Cooee guide travelling with groups of 12 or more.

Scotland Golf Tours
The Home of the Game