Golf Near Craigellie: Your Guide to Playing the Best Courses in Perthshire & Beyond
- Feb 24
- 8 min read
Updated: 1 hour ago
Whether you’re planning a week-long golfing break, a weekend getaway or just an enjoyable round of golf, Craigellie offers the perfect base for exploring some of Scotland’s finest courses. From charming inland parkland to historic links and world-class championship venues, there’s something for every golfer — all within easy reach. After a hearty breakfast at Craigellie, you can be on the first tee in minutes, ready to enjoy a round surrounded by beautiful Perthshire scenery. Several of the courses offer special discounts for guests staying at Craigellie - do ask for more details.
🟢 Five Courses on our doorstep
Course | Drive Time | Why Play Here | Facilities |
~7-8 mins | Classic heathland with tree-lined fairways and diverse rolling terrain requiring precision and distance. The 9-hole Glenisla course is a hidden gem, perfect for a warm-up or evening round. | Bar, snacks, meals. Trolley & buggy hire. Locker rooms. Pro shop. Driving range. | |
~8-10 mins | With a reputation as the friendly place to play golf, Strathmore's family-owned facilities have something for everyone. The par 72, Rannaleroch PGA championship course has generous fairways, rolling greens and is a challenge to good golfers but forgiving for the more relaxed player. | Bar, restaurant. Trolley & buggy hire. Pro shop. Driving range. | |
~19-20 mins | Blairgowrie's championship courses are immaculately kept and highly regarded. Both are set in heather-lined avenues of pine and silver birch, with the Lansdown being the more challenging. The Wee Course is another hidden gem - 9 holes with Par 3's & 4's. The clubhouse is outstanding with fabulous views across the courses and you are guaranteed a warm welcome. | Award-winning clubhouse & bar; pro shop; trolley, buggy & club hire; caddie & fore caddies available. Starters & rangers employed. Full driving range, chipping & putting greens, irons range. | |
~25 mins | This attractive parkland course with lush fairways and fast, undulating greens offers spectacular views towards the Angus Glens and caters for all levels of golfers. The relaxed, family-friendly clubhouse welcomes visitors. | Bar & restaurant. Buggy, trolley & club hire. Small shop for golfing essentials. | |
~30–35 mins | Boasting the world's first golf course designed as an 18-hole course from inception, Forfar offers a superb variety of holes set against a stunning backdrop. It's little wonder that Old Tom Morris himself visited many times to play on the course he designed. | Bar Awaiting information about other facilities. |
🟣 Highland & Riverside Courses in Perthshire & Angus
Course | Drive Time | Why Play Here | Facilities |
~35–40 mins | Often regarded as one of the most picturesque courses in Highland Perthshire, players can enjoy the unique local character of this magnificent heathland course with elevated tees, rolling terrain and stunning woodland views. | ||
~45 mins | Fantastic rolling parkland course with a great variety of holes which offers golfers of all abilities a fun, challenging course set beneath the backdrop of the Grampian mountains. | ||
~55 mins | A hidden gem, nestling in the Victorian village of Strathtay. Visitors can expect a warm welcome and well kept greens. The course is usually very quiet and you can enjoy an unhurried round with some challenging holes. | Awaiting information. | |
~1 hour | This is a classic style, picturesque course utilising the natural contours and landscape to best effect. It has a beautiful balance of open driving holes and shorter par 4s and 3s, over which accuracy is at a premium but brave shots can be well rewarded. The final par 5 winds up to the clubhouse. | Bar & The Hairy Coo's TeeCup (light meals, snacks, scones & cake). Club and trolley hire. Changing facilities (no lockers). | |
~55 mins | Pitlochry's par 69 course boasts awe-inspiring views of the Tummel Valley and undulating greens, offering enjoyable play for the average player and challenges for the more advanced. There is also the option of their Lettoch Links 6-hole course which has a combination of small tricky greens and tight fairways if you are looking to combine a round with sightseeing in the area. | Red deer pub & restaurant. Club, trolley & buggy hire. Pro shop. Driving range, Pitch & Putt, practice green & bunkers. | |
~50 mins | A beautifully laid out par 71 parkland-heathland course in the tranquil foothills of the Angus Glens, designed by Bob Simpson, with later refinements by James Braid and Martin Ebert. It's known for high-quality, scenic, tree-lined fairways and a genuine, warm welcome in the clubhouse. | Bar, restaurant. Trolley & buggy hire. Pro shop. Driving range. |
🔵 Coastal Links Courses in Angus & Fife
Course | Drive Time | Why Play Here | Facilities |
~50 mins | A traditional club with a course that combines the best elements of links and heathland. Expect tight fairways, challenging carries and undulating greens amidst a landscape of pines, natural dunes and fescue. | Bar, lounge & a varied range of dining options. Pro shop | |
Montrose Golf Links 1562 Course Broomfield Course | ~55–60 mins | One of the oldest golf clubs in the world with stunning coastal scenery, rugged terrain and east winds to watch out for. The 1562 has undulating fairways and fast greens, while the subtle contours of the shorter Broomfield course demand precision and nuanced putting skills. | Bar & dining at the Montrose Caledonia or Royal Montrose Mercantile Clubs. Pro shop. Trolley, caddy and club hire. Putting green. |
~50 mins | Welcoming traditional links course with flat, open fairways, undulating greens and over 70 challenging bunkers. An authentic Scottish coastal-golf experience. | Coffee cabin & restaurant, beer garden. Pro shop. Trolley, buggy & club hire. Driving range. | |
~1 hour 30 mins | A little further afield, but perfect for a round when you are heading to or from Edinburgh. Expect close cut running fairways with firm, fast, true greens. Despite being one of the oldest clubs in the country and one of the finest links courses in Fife, Elie tends to be quieter than the other courses and gives real value for money. | Bar & restaurant. Locker room. Club, trolley & buggy hire. Shop. Driving range at Elie Sports Club. | |
~1 hour 25 mins | With panoramic views across the Forth Estuary and a mile and a half of beach and sea frontage, this is definitely 'links land'. Its dual elevations, connected by a flowing escarpment, have created opportunities for tees with the most spectacular backdrops. Combine this with an outstanding green-keeping team and a warm welcome in the clubhouse and you have the perfect stop on your way to or from Edinburgh. | The Old Barn bar & restaurant. Club, trolley & buggy hire; caddie and forecaddies available. Locker rooms with showers. Practice facilities. Pro shop. |
🔴 Perth City – a couple of Interesting Alternatives
Course | Drive Time | Why Play Here | Facilities |
King James VI Golf Club (Perth) | ~50 mins | A unique 18-hole, town-centre course set on an island in the middle of the River Tay, this course was designed by Old Tom Morris to be a fair test at all levels. It's both picturesque and challenging but doesn't take too long to play, allowing time to enjoy the sociable and friendly atmosphere in the club house and a spot of shopping or sightseeing in Perth. | Bar & restaurant. Pro shop. Awaiting information about other facilities. |
~50-55 mins | This traditional par-67 parkland course on the southern edge of Perth shouldn't be taken lightly. It's known for its challenging, steep, undulating terrain requiring good fitness or a buggy (which you can hire), but the stunning views over Perth and the Tay Valley make it all worthwhile. Craigie is highly regarded for its friendly atmosphere, excellent, well-maintained greens and affordable, accessible golf. Perfect for a quick, challenging round on some real stand holes. The Kop 5th hole is legendary. | Bar & light meals. Shop offering refreshments & some golf wear. Club, trolley & buggy hire. Locker rooms. Practice nets, putting green. |
⭐ Iconic Scottish Golf
Course | Drive Time | Why Play Here | Facilities |
~1 hour | Gleneagles if, of course, a world-renowned golf destination, playing host to the Ryder and Solheim Cups. It features three 18-hole championship courses and a 9-hole academy course. The King’s Course is a Braid-designed masterpiece and ‘inland links’ classic; The Queen’s Course is one of the finest par-68 heathland golf courses in the UK, and the contemporary Nicklaus-designed PGA Centenary Course features stunning views over the Ochil hills and modern, championship-level play. | Everything you need and didn't know you needed, including fine dining, but do book well ahead. | |
St Andrews Links Old Course (est circa 1400) Castle Course New Course (est 1895) Craigtoun Course (formerly the Duke's Course) Jubilee Course Eden Course Strathtyrum Course Balgove Course (9 holes) | ~1 hour 15 mins | St Andrews (known as the "Home of Golf') features multiple public courses and is a premier, historic links destination. It's known for challenging, natural and wind-swept layouts, featuring iconic, large double greens and 112 bunkers, including the famous Hell Bunker and the 17th "Road Hole". The 8 courses listed here (including the Balgove 9-hole which is ideal for children & beginners) are managed by the St Andrews Links Trust, including the legendary Old Course where the game has been played for over six centuries. The courses are open to all, but you do need a handicap of 24 or better to play the Old Course. Five of the courses listed are championship courses. | St Andrews is all about golf so you will find everything you need at the clubs here. For non-golfers who just want to absorb the atmosphere there is an abundance of history, beautiful architecture, shopping, stunning beaches, cafes and restaurants. |
~50–55 mins | An iconic, world-leading Scottish golf destination and a regular Open Championship venue on the Angus coast. It is famed for "Golf's Greatest Test," featuring challenging winds, treacherous bunkers (especially the Barry Burn), and rugged coastal terrain with sandy beaches, providing a stark, natural environment and spectacular sea views. | Rookery restaurant & bar; hotel restaurant & outdoor terrace. Pro shop. Equipment hire & caddy services. Performance centre - a state of the art indoor facility complete with simulator bays. |
Please note: not all of the courses are open year-round - do check exact dates using the web links given.
Whilst I have tried to make this as accurate as possible, some of the clubs may have facilities that are not listed. If you are looking for something in particular feel free to contact either the specific club or Liz at Craigellie House. We will do our best to help.
Remember that some of the local courses offer special discounts for our guests (sorry, not the iconic ones!).
Visit craigellie.co.uk to discover more about enjoying the best of Scottish golf from our comfortable home.
