Sample Golf Vacation Package - The James Braid – as featured in the LINKS magazine

James Braid is a Scottish golfing icon. His revered status is reflected by the fact that he is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. A five times Open Champion in the early 1900s, he subsequently became a prolific course architect responsible for a diverse range of some of the finest links and inland courses in the United Kingdom.

Drumgolf Tours St Andrews has created a golf tour of Scotland which takes you off the beaten track to experience some of his most picturesque and challenging courses.

Golf Course Selection

Lundin Links - Located 10 miles south of St Andrews, this James Braid design is a majestic links course. Today Lundin’s course has a bit of everything: burns, blind drives, out of bounds, the ever present wind and truly excellent greens. Lundin Links was one of the British Open Qualifying courses for the Open 2005 and is voted amongst the top links courses in Britain by the Golf Monthly magazine.

Elie Golf House Club - Right from the moment the Starter checks it is clear to tee off by using his periscope to view over the brow of the hill on the 1st tee, Elie proves to be a unique experience. The 4 holes running along side the coast are particularly memorable. Only 13 miles from St. Andrews situated in a charming seaside village, which is also noted for a great pub called ‘The Ship Inn.’

Boat of Garten - Designed by one of the grand-masters of golf course architecture, James Braid (1870-1950), “The Boat” is set alongside the River Spey in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Braid’s design features 18 completely individual holes, cleverly and sensitively shaped fairways lined by birch trees, heather and broom, maximising the natural landscape and producing a beautiful and challenging course. The Boat has been dubbed “the Gleneagles of the North” and has won several awards in recent years including Scotland's No.1 Hidden Gem.

Nairn - A stunning links course overlooking the Moray forth Nairn Golf Club is a testing traditional links whose respected status in the world of golf is reflected by the fact that it was selected to host the Walker Cup in 1999. An excellent clubhouse and friendly staff match the quality of the course.

Brora - A James Braid inspired course which makes excellent use of the natural contours. The backdrop of breaking waves and winding burns make Brora a memorable experience as do the native fairway mowing sheep. The allure of Brora is best summed up by James Finegan in ‘Blasted Heath and Blessed greens’ - too short to qualify as great, it is no less superlative, there is no prosaic moment, as we relish every hole. Brora is as fine and as pure an example of Braid’s work as you are likely to find.

Fortrose and Rosemarkie - Designed by James Braid, this course has been skilfully laid out within the narrow Chanonry peninsula. It is instantly admired by first-time visitors and its unique character and charm make it a most enjoyable round. What it lacks in yardage is more than offset by its small deceptive greens and strategically placed bunkers.

Edzell - Off the beaten track this is a golfing treasure, a parkland course which has benefited from James Braid's contribution to its design. In the heart of the county of Angus, Edzell is well worth a visit.

Blairgowrie (Rosemount) - Designed by Dr. Alistair MacKenzie, the renowned architect of the Augusta National course, and later extended by James Braid, Rosemount is regarded as one of Scotland's top inland courses and is a regular feature in the UK's Top 100 rankings.

Accommodation Selection

Ship Inn - This is a fantastic inn situated in the popular seaside town of Elie. The superb restaurant & bar is a lively meeting point for visitors and locals alike and the individually-designed bedrooms have literally just been refurbished to the highest of standard. After golf you can spend the evenings in its world famous beer garden, with its new Beach Bar or have a bite to eat in the spectacular first floor restaurant overlooking Elie Bay which serves fresh Scottish seafood as well as The Ship Inn’s famous fish and chips!

Sandown House - Your hostess, Liz Burgess extends a warm, friendly welcome to all guests arriving at her luxury 5 star guest house which is a beautifully appointed former dairy farm, within a few minutes’ walk of the fantastic beach and Nairn Golf Club.The house has lovely open aspects, with views towards the Black Isle and the Moray Firth, famous for dolphin watching. There are two well-presented bedrooms in the main house and four fabulous spacious bedrooms in the Courtyard, which were completed in 2010. The rooms are truly great with luxury bathrooms you would expect to find in any top class hotel and with fresh breakfast serving the finest local produce and delicious home baking you will not want to leave!This is an ideal base to explore the beautiful Highlands of Scotland and to visit the many wonderful distilleries, historical Castles and landmarks including Culloden Battlefield and Fort George, which are only minutes away.The property has won many awards, including Accommodation Provider of the Year 2012 'Best B&B' at the Golf Tourism Scotland Gold Standard Awards.

Murrayshall - The historic Murrayshall House is surrounded by two 18 hole golf courses, and set in 350 acres of beautiful park and woodland which is populated by deer, hare and wild birds. It is overlooked by spectacular mountains and a great tranquil escape. The hotel is luxurious with tastefully designed rooms, an excellent choice of dining and the informal Strutts Bar to help you unwind!

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1
Arrive into Edinburgh Airport where you will be warmly welcomed by your Dedicated Driver who will escort you to your executive transportation. Your Driver will be at your service for all daytime travel requirements throughout your trip.Travel north to Fife (approximately 50 minutes) and begin your journey walking in the footsteps of the legendary James Braid, one of golf's finest course architects, influencing more than 200 courses across Great Britain and 5 times Open Champion.Play a round on the magnificent Tom Morris/James Braid designed golf course, Lundin Links. Just 20 minutes from St. Andrews it is one Scotland’s gems and formerly a qualifying course to The Open Championship when played in St. Andrews.After golf, head to the charming seaside town of Elie (approximately 15 minutes) where James Braid was born and check into the Ship Inn, a charming property bursting with local character and charm for your first two nights' accommodation.

DAY 2
Travel the short distance to play Elie which is where James Braid learnt how to play the game and indeed won his first local competition at only 8 years old. This fine traditional links effortlessly combines undulating fairways with large, fast and firm greens and although Braid learned his golf over these links, this isn't actually a course he himself designed or re-modelled.After golf you could travel through the charming fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife where time appears to stand still. Sample fresh lobster or crab, the catch of the day and view a collection of traditional vessels in the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther. These villages, such as Anstruther, St Monans and Crail, offer a relaxing way to while away a few hours whilst wandering their quaint cobbled streets and harbours. In addition, Anstruther boasts what is widely considered the best Fish and Chip bar in Scotland (and winner of the United Kingdom Fish and Chip Shop of the Year award!)In the evening, enjoy some drinks and a presentation from a British Golf Historian about James Braid and his life and works.

DAY 3
Check out of your accommodation in St Andrews and head north into Perthshire (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes). Play Boat of Garten, another James Braid masterpiece which he developed in the early 1930s. “The Boat” is set alongside the River Spey in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Braid’s design features 18 completely individual holes, cleverly and sensitively shaped fairways lined by birch trees, heather and broom, maximising the natural landscape and producing a beautiful and challenging course. The Boat has been dubbed “the Gleneagles of the North” and has won several awards in recent years including Scotland's No.1 Hidden Gem.After golf, continue north to Nairn (approximately 45 minutes) and check into Sandown House, an immaculate guesthouse run owned and operated by Liz and Andy Burgess, the most welcoming, attentive and knowledgeable hosts you are are likely to meet!

DAY 4
Travel the short distance to play Nairn. This traditional Scottish Links was created from a Highland wilderness of gorse and heather, and tests the talents of professional and amateur alike. Founded in 1887, several improvements were made by Braid to tees, bunkers and greens (He also managed to be the first golfer to break 70 on the course in 1901!) It is now one of the best courses in Scotland, and has hosted a large number of important championships. A truly remarkable feature of the championship course is that from every hole you can see the beautiful waters of the Moray Firth. It has recently undergone a major course refurbishment and hosted many high-profile events over the years such as the Walker Cup in 1999 and the Curtis Cup in 2012. It still, nevertheless, remains substantially the links course that James Braid knew and admired so well! The clubhouse also has a fabulous museum onsite with lots of golfing history.After golf, you may enjoy stopping at the eco-village of Findhorn, situated in the beautiful Findhorn Bay of Moray with its own magnificent beach, a delightful harbour and a small heritage centre. This idyllic village benefits from miles of white sand, a superlative Bakehouse Café and tranquil eco-community, internationally known as the home of the Findhorn Foundation - a self-sufficient eco-friendly community based on spiritual values founded in 1962.

DAY 5
Travel approximately 1 hour 30 minutes north to Brora today, another of James Braid's designs which makes excellent use of the natural contours. The backdrop of breaking waves and winding burns make Brora a memorable experience as do the native fairway mowing sheep. The allure of Brora is best summed up by James Finegan in ‘Blasted Heath and Blessed greens’ - too short to qualify as great, it is no less superlative, there is no prosaic moment, as we relish every hole. Brora is as fine and as pure an example of Braid’s work as you are likely to find.After golf, you could visit the Scottish Dolphin Centre. If you are feeling adventurous, you can take an exhilarating ride out onto the Moray Firth on a Dolphin Mischief RIB tour. Find out more about the bottlenose dolphin population in the Inner Moray Firth and hopefully meet some too. In addition to the dophins you will hopefully spot some seals, otters, a variety of seabirds, and possibly even the occasional whale!

DAY 6
Today travel 45 minutes to play the stunningly beautiful and historic Fortrose and Rosemarkie Links which was extend and greatly enhanced by James Braid in the mid 1930s. With tight fairways and deceptive greens all located on the Chanonry Peninsular with spectacular views over the Moray Firth, it is a firm favourite of ours and furthermore was voted Drumgolf Course of The Year 2019!After golf, you could visit Culloden Battlefield and its fantastic Visitor Centre which brings to life the Jacobites’ bloody last stance. Move on to Fort George which fills you in on the military history after the battle to the present day. It is still occupied by the British Army and is also well worth a visit for its views over the Firth.

DAY 7
Check out of your accommodation and head south, travelling through Speyside, an area literally dotted with castles and whisky distilleries. Follow the famous Whisky Trail through the picturesque Speyside landscape visiting some of the working distilleries to learn about the history, folklore and tales of smuggling which surrounds this ancient craft. The Strathisla Distillery is thought to be the most romantic and evocative on the Trail whilst Glenfiddich and Cardhu are also some of our favourites to sample a dram.Arrive in Edzell (approximately 2 hours 40 minutes) and play a round on this course which is quite off the beaten track to say the least! It is quite the golfing treasure - a parkland course which was originally designed by Bob Simpson, but then benefited from James Braid's contribution to its design some forty years on.Afterwards, travel another 55 minutes south towards Perth and check into Murrayshall Country Estate for your final 2 nights. This country house is luxurious, yet warm and homely and sits within two 18 hole golf courses with fabulous views over the Perthshire hills.

DAY 8
Travel approximately 25 minutes to Blairgowrie Golf Club for a round on the Rosemount Course. This inland course was originally designed by Alistair McKenzie, the renowned architect of the Augusta National Course! However, Braid was instructed to lengthen and enhance the course in 1930, adding several bunkers and the course was further improved by Donald Steele in 2000. Rosemount has played host to a number of prestigious professional and amateur tournaments. It was the scene of Greg Norman’s first European Tour victory in the 1977 Martini event. The Rosemount Course has been described by Tom Morris as, “The most beautiful inland green I have ever seen.”

DAY 9
Check out of your accommodation and return to Edinburgh Airport to deposit your rental vehicle. Drive time is approximately 55 minutes).Farewell to Scotland!

Includes the following

ACCOMMODATION
8 nights' bed and full Scottish breakfast sharing twin rooms.

GOLF
8 rounds of golf

TRANSPORT
Rental of a mini-van with automatic transmission.

DRUMGOLF TOUR MANAGEMENT SERVICE
Comprehensive Tour Management Service

This package is subject to availability and based
on 4 golfers travelling in summer 2024.

Full tour:
Cost per golfer
£3140 (*$3925 USD aprox)
*based on £1 = $1.25
To enquire or book this Scottish Golf Tour please use one of the following methods

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