Aberdeenshire, Scotland
For gigantic dunes, grand old links and a side of Scotland that tends to stay with you, venture beyond the familiar, where North Sea golf, whisky country and spectacular coastline make a compelling case for lingering a little longer.
Why Aberdeenshire?
Every great Scottish golf itinerary has a journey north. Too often, this stretch of coastline is treated as the drive between St Andrews and the Highlands. We'd suggest slowing down instead.
This is North Sea golf. Gigantic dunes, firm-running fairways and ever-changing coastal winds create some of the most exhilarating links in the country. A few days here can take in the towering dunes of Trump International Scotland, the wonderfully unconventional Cruden Bay and the timeless links of Royal Aberdeen.
The golf alone is reason enough to make the trip. But with Speyside's whisky distilleries, royal landmarks and quiet country roads all within easy reach, although less travelled than some of the country's better-known golfing regions, time spent in Aberdeenshire is all the more rewarding because of it.
What to do
If there's one recommendation we'd make, it's to head inland towards Speyside. The drive is all part of the experience, leading to some of Scotland's most celebrated distilleries. Private tours, archive drams and long lunches offer a memorable introduction to the country's whisky heritage.
Back on the coast, the whisky story continues at Trump International Scotland, where the Clavis Bar and private cellar provide an intimate setting to explore rare expressions alongside the resort's sommelier.
History is never far away either. Balmoral offers rare access to the Royal Family's Scottish home, Fyvie Castle reveals centuries of Scottish heritage, and Johnston's of Elgin celebrates generations of craftsmanship at Scotland's only vertical weaving mill.
Meanwhile, for those drawn outdoors, salmon fishing, walked-up shooting and Highland hunting complete the picture.
Where to stay
If you're looking for the perfect base, we'd always recommend Trump International Scotland. Combining exceptional golf with genuine hospitality, it's the ideal place from which to explore this stretch of Scotland.
MacLeod House & Lodge offers a classic Scottish country house experience. Set within a historic baronial mansion overlooking the estate, it pairs timeless interiors with warm, attentive service, while the resort's restaurants and Clavis Bar ensure the evenings are every bit as memorable as the days.
For families and groups, the Great North Sea Residences offer a different pace. Beautifully restored heritage coastguard cottages combine the privacy of a coastal home with full access to the resort, placing exceptional golf, dining and hospitality just moments from your front door.
Where to play
Along this stretch of perfect linksland, sky-high dunes, endless horizons and the ever-present North Sea create some of the most exhilarating links golf in the country.
At Trump International Scotland, the Old and New Courses combine to form what the resort aptly calls "The Greatest 36". Both have earned their place among the world's leading courses, yet each offers a distinct experience. The New Course takes a more contemporary route through rugged dunes and natural wetlands, complete with a well-earned dram stop along the way. The Old Course is grander in scale, building towards a closing stretch and an 18th hole that provides a fitting finale to any trip.
As a complement, Royal Aberdeen offers pure links heritage, with a front nine regarded as one of the finest in Scottish golf. Cruden Bay, meanwhile, is endlessly characterful, where blind shots, rumpled fairways and towering dunes reward imagination as much as execution.
Let us curate Aberdeenshire for you
However you’d like to discover Aberdeenshire, we can tailor an experience to meet your exacting needs.
