18 holes, 70 par, 6,609 yards

Cruden Bay is a spectacular links course but tends to get overshadowed by its Aberdeen neighbors Trump International and Royal Aberdeen. Even so, it is undoubtedly a wonderful links in a glorious natural setting with towering sand dunes dominating the early play and holes.

Ask any golf course designer to talk of their inspirations and the chances are the name of Cruden Bay will crop up within the conversation. Blind shots, driveable par 4s, monster par 3s, 90˚ doglegs, hidden bunkers, raised greens, plunging tee shots, treacherous burns... the course is a constant source of surprise and wonder and has encouraged generations of architects to seek out the unusual and unique features of the site. It's one of the most memorable and enjoyable links courses you’ll ever have the chance to play.

18 holes, 72 par, 6,774 yards.

The 6th oldest golf course in the world and ranked in Scotland’s Top 10 and the world’s Top 100 golf courses, the Balgownie at Royal Aberdeen is a superb links challenge and a must play when in Scotland.

The course runs out and back along the North Sea. The outward nine (which is acknowledged as one of the finest in links golf anywhere in the world) cuts its way through some wonderful dune formations. The inland nine returns south over the flatter plateau.

A traditional old Scottish links, it is well-bunkered with undulating fairways. It has an excellent balance of holes, strong par 4's, tricky par 3's and two classic par 5's, with the 8th (signature hole) protected by nine bunkers. The ever-changing wind, tight-protected greens and a magnificent finish makes Balgownie a test for the very best.

18 holes, 72 par 6,774 yards

Trump, along with the help of respected golf course architect Martin Hawtree, created a very special links course which is first-class in every detail.

Stretching along the coast, just a short drive north of Aberdeen, the course is located on a beautiful piece of land considered a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Routed along the North Sea dunes which had built up over hundreds of years, the course blends seamlessly into the surrounding area with not a cart path to be seen. Instead, numerous grass paths leading the way from one hole to another guide you.

As you would expect from a Trump course, attention to detail was of primary concern, with every hole having a minimum of five tee boxes and the 18th fairway having of course, eighteen pot bunkers.

18 holes, 72 par, 6,423 yards

Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club is 2 miles north of Trump International Links Scotland, mid-way between Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay Golf Club, and is situated on the Ythan Estuary, overlooking the North Sea and Sands of Forvie National Nature Reserve.

The club was founded in 1888, and is a challenging par 72 Championship links course that demands accurate golf from tee to green.

Here are some of the comments from reviewers for "Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland"... “Beautiful course with views to die for… Some cracking, testing holes and the most amazing views of the dunes, estuary and sea beyond… A great layout that blends the old with the new making this a golf course that should not be missed.”

The original 9-hole course used by members of Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club was extended to 18 holes in 1912, twenty-four years after the club was founded. This full size layout was short lived however, and James McAndrew, the professional at nearby Cruden Bay, laid out a revised 9-hole course shortly after World War I.

Additional land on higher ground adjacent to the old course was acquired in 1994, allowing the club to form a new front nine two years later – a round of golf at the modern day Newburgh course really is a game of two contrasting halves. br>
The front nine holes are laid out on undulating land that rises up from the links located alongside the River Ythan. Holes rise and fall with regularity over this terrain and several of the fairways lead to multi-tiered greens which allow a number of tricky pin positions.

The back nine present old-fashioned links golf at its finest with blind shots, firm fairways, sandy ridges and punchbowl greens aplenty. Holes are intuitively routed around a parcel of sandy soiled ground beside the river estuary with many of the fairways flanked by walls of gorse.

It’s a shame that Newburgh is overshadowed by the courses at Royal Aberdeen, Murcar and Cruden Bay, as it deserves wider recognition by golfers who drive past on the way to these other places.

18 holes, 71 par, 6,516 yards

Established in 1909, Murcar Links was originally designed by Archie Simpson, with later refinements made in the 1930′s by James Braid. The course has recently undergone alterations and improvements that are sympathetic to what Simpson and Braid set out to achieve.

The course is situated on the coast of Aberdeenshire, 10 minutes from Aberdeen city centre, and enjoys unrivaled views across the North Sea. Additionally, Murcar Links is a European Tour venue, having hosted the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play in 2015.

Murcar Links has risen to No 35 in the Golf World Magazine ranking of the Top 100 Courses in Scotland. The judging panel highlighted ‘some great holes, scenically and strategically’, while the overall Golf World verdict was "enjoyable whether in the dune valleys or near the sea". Playing Murcar Links is a truly memorable and rewarding experience where each hole offers its own challenge.

18 holes, 70 par, 6,173 yards

Peterhead Golf Club is the 18th oldest golf club in the world and is steeped in a rich and varied history. The 'Old Course' was designed by famous architect Willie Park, Jr and by 1923 the golf club had built a second 18-hole course. However, the second course was reduced to a nine-hole course after it fell into disrepair during the Second World War.

Perched on the seaside and overlooking the North Sea, this course winds through dunes and the links to provide a classic test of Scottish links golf.

Laid out among the sand hills that lie to the north of where the River Ugie meets the North Sea, the Old course at Craigewan is a natural links with contours that owe little to the hand of man and everything to the assistance of Mother Nature – old-fashioned layouts like this are discovered and never manufactured, of course.

Two of the best holes on the card are found back-to-back at the furthest point from the clubhouse. The outward half ends with “St.Fergus,” the 460-yard, par four, bunker-free 9th where the fairway runs along a valley between dunes to a green that requires a very precise approach to hit and hold. The back nine then starts with “Cottage,” the 133-yard, par three 10th hole which has a burn in front and five bunkers surrounding a green that slopes from back to front.

27 holes, 70 & 33 par, 6,308 yards & 2,416 yards

Take a brief drive up from Aberdeen along the North East coast and you will find a totally unspoiled, old fashioned traditional links layout. If you are looking for a genuine slice of real Scottish golf history, you've found it at Fraserburgh Golf Club.

Be prepared for a visually stunning and game challenging round in amongst Fraserburgh’s substantial sand dunes and an experience reminiscent of how golf must have been more than a century ago.

Wildly undulating fairways, sand hills, wonderful views and some truly spectacular holes makes Fraserburgh a true links adventure from start to finish.

Today’s feisty championship course, a James Braid (5 times Open Championship winner) redesign of the original layout, is one of the most natural links courses you will ever find. Be prepared for an exceptionally warm welcome from all staff and one of the most stimulating rounds you'll play in Scotland.