Links ClassicHidden Gem

Scotscraig Golf Club

Tayport, Fife · Designed by James Braid revisions; founded 1817 · Est. 1817

Scotscraig, at Tayport on the northern tip of Fife, is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world, founded in 1817. It occupies a fascinating stretch of ground between the Tay and the sea — a hybrid of true links and heathland, with gorse, heather and broom framing firm, fast-running fairways, and views across the estuary to Dundee and Carnoustie beyond.

At par 71 over around 6,600 yards, it is a genuine championship test and a regular Open Final Qualifying venue, its subtle greens and clever bunkering — refined over the years by James Braid among others — rewarding accurate, thoughtful golf. Because it sits slightly off the main St Andrews trail, it is often quiet and always excellent value for a course of such pedigree.

For golfers touring Fife and Angus, Scotscraig is the perfect, uncrowded bridge between the two — a historic, characterful links that deserves to be far better known.

Holes worth knowing

1The heathland-links holes — gorse, heather and broom frame firm fairways in a distinctive blend of two golfing worlds.
2The estuary views — from the higher ground the course opens up across the Tay to Dundee and the Angus coast.

Highlights

One of the oldest golf clubs in the world (1817)
A links-and-heathland hybrid near the Tay
Open Final Qualifying venue
Braid-refined greens, uncrowded and great value

Good to know

→Founded in 1817, Scotscraig is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world — genuine history at a very fair green fee.
→It is a true links-heathland hybrid, so expect firm fairways framed by gorse and heather rather than big dunes.
→Being off the main St Andrews trail, it is usually quiet — a Final Open Qualifying course you can often have almost to yourself.
→It sits at the north tip of Fife by the Tay Bridge — Dundee (the V&A Design Museum) is 20 minutes, Carnoustie 30.
→Ideal as a bridge between a St Andrews and an Angus (Carnoustie/Monifieth/Montrose) leg of a trip.