Southwest Scotland

This is one of Scotland’s richest—and least explored regions.

Our journey begins in Glasgow, once celebrated as the ‘Second City of the Empire’ and now one of Britain’s liveliest cultural hotspots. Several outstanding courses lie within easy reach, but the great sweep of Ayrshire’s Open Championship coast soon calls: Royal Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry, with Western Gailes, Glasgow Gailes and Dundonald completing an extraordinary concentration of world-class links golf.

Then the journey becomes more adventurous. Seven unique courses make Arran the complete, relaxed golfing getaway. Then take Paul McCartney’s ‘Long & Winding Road’ down the famous Mull of Kintyre and the magnificent Machrihanish, Machrihanish Dunes and Dunaverty, while a short ferry crossing arrives on the whisky island of Islay and The Machrie—remote, atmospheric and utterly distinctive.

Dumfries & Galloway reveals a quieter corner of the southwest: beautiful landscapes, full of characterful courses and the sort of unhurried Scottish experience most visitors will remember forever.

From great championship links to island ferries and hidden fairways, this is Scotland at its most varied, surprising and rewarding.