Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Historical significance
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, founded in 1780, is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. The club has a distinguished tournament history and has hosted prestigious events, including the Scottish Open. Its classic clubhouse, set beside unspoiled links land, stands as a true symbol of traditional Scottish golf.
The course
The links runs along Scotland’s east coast, nestled between the North Sea and towering natural dunes. The round begins with an iconic opening tee shot directly in front of the clubhouse, with its distinctive bay windows—an immediate statement of intent. The course follows a traditional out-and-back routing, with the opening holes heading away along the coast and the back nine largely returning along the same line.
Playing style and character
Royal Aberdeen is defined by firm fairways, deep bunkers, and greens that sit naturally within the dunes. Constant wind exposure and the open setting ensure that no two rounds are ever the same. The result is a pure, timeless links experience where tradition, nature, and the essence of the game come together seamlessly.
Cruden Bay Golf Club
A historic links course
Cruden Bay Golf Club, founded in 1899, sits along Scotland’s east coast and ranks among the country’s classic links courses. Laid out through a natural dune landscape, the course follows the original contours of the terrain. Its seaside setting, with sweeping views over the North Sea, reinforces its traditional character.
Natural setting and playing conditions
The course is defined by rolling fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and elevated tees and greens set strikingly within the dunes. Blind shots and ever-changing wind conditions create a constantly evolving challenge. The routing blends coastal holes with more sheltered inland stretches, giving each round a unique rhythm and a distinctly quirky personality.
An authentic links experience
Cruden Bay is celebrated for its pure links character, far removed from large resorts and commercial influence. The landscape has remained largely unchanged since its creation, enhancing the sense of timeless Scottish golf. That historical depth is further enriched by local lore suggesting that remnants of a Scandinavian (Viking) army from the Battle of Cruden Bay lie beneath and around the 18th hole.
Here, golf is played on ground where nature, history, and the game itself come together in a truly unique way.
Murcar Links Golf Club
An authentic links experience
Murcar Golf Club, founded in 1909, is a classic and unspoiled links course along the North Sea coast. The course sits right next to one of the world’s most famous clubs, Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, and shares the same exceptional sandy soil and natural dunes. Despite its illustrious neighbour, Murcar has a distinctly quieter character and is often regarded as one of Scotland’s finest “hidden gem” links courses.
Strategic design
Murcar is a fair yet demanding links course, where wind, natural contours, and clever bunkering dictate play. Narrow fairways and well-defended greens require precision and creativity. Its exposed setting ensures constantly changing conditions, making every round feel different and allowing true links golf to shine.
Close to the city, surrounded by nature
One of Murcar’s great advantages is its proximity to the city of Aberdeen. Within minutes, you can travel from the city centre to the first tee, while the course itself feels wonderfully remote. After your round, the restaurants, pubs, and cultural offerings of Aberdeen are close at hand, making Murcar a perfect blend of world-class golf and urban comfort.
Cultural and golfing context
Its location beside Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, the quality of the linksland, and its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere make Murcar a favourite among purists and connoisseurs. It’s a course that doesn’t need the spotlight to impress—an authentic links where the game, the landscape, and Scottish golfing tradition take centre stage.
Newburgh Golf Links
Historical significance
Newburgh Golf Club, founded in 1895, lies along the rugged coast of Aberdeenshire near the mouth of the River Ythan. It is one of Scotland’s oldest golf courses and a classic example of traditional links golf. Natural dunes, ever-present wind, and an untouched landscape give the course a deep sense of history and authenticity.
Playing style and character
The course offers a strategic and honest test, with rolling fairways, subtle elevation changes, and greens that reward precision. The routing follows the natural terrain so seamlessly that no hole feels forced, while changing weather and wind conditions ensure every round plays differently.
An authentic experience
What makes Newburgh especially memorable is its sense of peace and connection to nature. Seals are often seen resting on the beach beside the course, creating a uniquely atmospheric backdrop during the round. Here, links golf is experienced as it was meant to be—pure, simple, and completely in harmony with the landscape.
Peterhead Golf Club
Historical significance & setting
Peterhead Golf Club, founded in 1894, lies along the rugged northeast coast of Scotland, around 45 minutes from Aberdeen. The club is steeped in links tradition and offers an authentic alternative to the more famous courses in the region.
The current Craigewan Links carries a remarkable wartime story. Originally opened as an 18-hole course in 1923, it fell into decline during World War II and was ultimately reduced to 9 holes—making it a rare example of a course that quite literally “survived” the war.
Character and playing style
The round begins in memorable fashion: the opening tee shot requires a carry over the River Ugie—a true links introduction that demands commitment from the very first swing. Even before teeing off, golfers cross a 140-foot pedestrian bridge over the river to reach the course, adding a unique sense of arrival.
The course itself is shaped by natural dunes, firm turf, and often powerful coastal winds. Strategy and control outweigh distance, with each hole requiring thoughtful adaptation to the elements.
A pure golf experience
Expansive views, the constant presence of both sea and river, and a tangible sense of history make every round at Peterhead intense and authentic. This is links golf in its purest form—raw, historic, and deeply connected to the landscape of Scotland’s east coast.
Fraserburgh Golf Club
A historic treasure
Fraserburgh Golf Club, officially founded in 1777, is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. There is strong evidence that golf was already played here as early as 1613, making it one of the earliest known golfing sites in Scotland. The course sits at a unique point where the Scottish coastline shifts—from running north along the North Sea to turning west toward the Moray Firth—giving it a particularly distinctive setting.
Playing style
This classic links is fully exposed to the elements. Its open location brings strong, ever-changing winds that can vary significantly from hole to hole due to the changing coastal orientation. Natural dunes, undulating fairways, and understated yet effective bunkering demand creativity, control, and strategic thinking. Fraserburgh tests not only technique but also adaptability.
Authenticity and purity
The authentic atmosphere—and the knowledge that golf may have been played here for over four centuries—makes every round feel special. For purists and lovers of true links golf, Fraserburgh is a timeless destination where the essence of the game remains at the forefront.
