A hugely successful Scottish Golf Tourism Week concluded with the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards held at the historic National Museum of Scotland on March 12.
A brilliant week in Scotland’s capital saw Scottish Golf Tourism Week [March 10-13] bring global partners from the golf tourism industry together for the ninth year.
Over 3,700 face-to-face meetings took place, alongside golf days at Gullane, North Berwick and Bruntsfield Links. Also, excursions, familiarisation trips and many other networking opportunities, with the host venues of Kimpton Charlotte Square and InterContinental Edinburgh The George.
Since the events’ launch in 2016, Scottish Golf Tourism Week has continued to accelerate growth across Scotland’s golf tourism sector, creating tens of thousands of business meetings and thousands of familiarisation trips, welcoming buyers from five continents across the globe.
From Canada to China, Spain and the USA – these are just some of the countries that have been represented by tour operators at Scottish Golf Tourism Week 2026. This year, over 90 Scottish businesses and 94 top international golf tour operators representing over 35 nations from all around the world.
Scottish Golf Tourism Awards
On Thursday evening, finalists, guests and industry partners gathered for a special evening all focused on highlighting the very best of golf in Scotland with the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards. From golf courses to clubhouses, hotels to off-the-course experiences, and all points in between, it was a true celebration of the country and people that gave golf to the world.
The awards exist to celebrate the outstanding achievements within the Scottish golf tourism industry by recognising the finest courses, hotels and experiences that have helped shape Scotland’s reputation as a world-class golfing destination.
Owen Wyatt, Chief Growth Officer at event organisers DC Thomson, said: “I care passionately about tourism in Scotland because it is one of the industries that keeps communities, jobs and local economies alive right across the country. And at DC Thomson, if we are serious about understanding Scotland’s economy, we have to be serious about understanding the sectors that power it.”
The awards ceremony, which was hosted by BBC sports broadcaster Jason Mohammad, saw 15 winners and three highly commended businesses across the various categories. These were chosen by an expert panel of independent judges from across the golf and tourism industry.
2026 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards Winners
(in association with Luxe)
Best Budget-Friendly Hotel – 3 star or equivalent: Abbotsford Hotel Ayr
Best Premium Hotel – 4 star or equivalent: Another Place, The Machrie
Best Luxury Hotel – 5 star or equivalent (sponsored by Nespresso Professional):
Winner – Old Course Hotel, St Andrews
Highly Commended – Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire
Best Exclusive Use Venue: Gilmerton House, North Berwick
Best Municipal or Community-Owned Golf Course (sponsored by bunkered):
Winner – MacKenzie Championship Course, Aberdeen
Highly Commended – Dunnikier Park Golf Course, Kirkcaldy
Best 9-Hole Course: Milnathort Golf Club, Kinross
Best Course under £100 (sponsored by Kimpton Hotels): Schloss Roxburghe, Kelso
Best Course £100–£200:
Winner – Cruden Bay Golf Club
Highly Commended – Murcar Links, Aberdeen
Best Course £200 and Over (sponsored by Luxe Scot): The Carnoustie Championship Course
Best Clubhouse (sponsored by Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts)
Castle Stuart Golf Links at Cabot Highlands, Inverness
Best Pro Shop (sponsored by Golf Genius): Nairn Golf Club
Best Golf Marketing / Social Media Campaign: St Andrews Links – Old Course Reversed
Best Sustainability Project (sponsored by Visit Scotland): St Andrews Links
Best Off-Course Experience (sponsored by Aberdein Considine): The Hickory Golf Workshop
Best Tour Operator (sponsored by Scotland Distilled) – Diageo Whisky Experiences: Pioneer Golf
Scottish Golf Tourism Week and the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards in association with Luxe Scot will return in 2027, with the host location and venue to be revealed in due course.