The Aberdeenshire coast is a great destination for a ready-made short Scottish golf holiday as it offers a cluster of superb links courses all within easy reach of each other. Cruden Bay is one of the most challenging yet rewarding courses around, while Royal Aberdeen uses the natural contours of the dunes to test all levels of golfers. The hidden gem of the three is the excellent seaside links at Murcar. There are so many other great links courses that you will literally be spoiled for choice, and we've selected one or two of the best below, including the much talked about inland course at Newmacher, which Peter Alliss has highly commended.
 
         
 
HOTELS
  
         
 

Udny Arms

Situated ten minutes north of Aberdeen and overlooking the Ythan River and Newburgh Golf course the Udny Arms Hotel is the perfect setting in which to escape the hectic pace of day to day life. The relaxed atmosphere is in keeping with its location, where modern comfort and style blend seamlessly with the traditional Victorian features retained throughout the property. Dining is available in the award-winning restaurant which serves a fantastic selection of dishes such as locally sourced Aberdeen Angus beef and freshly caught fish and seafood. The spacious lounge area is an ideal place in which to relax and unwind, with a great selection of drinks and tempting snacks available from the Cocktail Bar. This beautiful hotel, with the river Ythan as its backdrop, provides the ideal getaway with access to many of the finest golf courses in Scotland.

  

 
         
 

Aberdeen Marriott

Close to the dramatic Grampian Mountains, yet just 4 miles from the bustling centre of Aberdeen, this luxury hotel makes an ideal choice for a break. After a great day out exploring the local attractions, it's easy to simply relax in the comfortable surroundings and enjoy the warm, friendly atmosphere. Unwind by the pool, or work out in the fully equipped gym. Clavells Restaurant is the place to dine in style, or head for Chats Café for a tempting range of lighter dishes. The leisure club has an indoor pool, fully equipped gym, sauna, solarium and spa bath. This two-floor hotel features 155 contemporary guestrooms decorated in hues of cream, black and red with stylish black furnishings, bedding with bold floral prints, scatter cushions, red fabrics and beige print carpets.

  
 
         
 

Simpsons

Simpson's Hotel is situated in the west end of Aberdeen, Europe's Oil Capital. The intimate foyer with its Italian terracotta floor, and striking furnishings bears all the hallmarks of quality and style the public have come to expect from an establishment owned and run by the Simpson family. The hotel is ideal for individual business guests, corporate parties or for personal use. All of the rooms and suites of this spectacular hotel have been painstakingly designed and decorated with the warm welcoming colours of the Riviera. The stunning Brasserie evoking a Roman bath house boasts award-winning cuisine. Simpson's Hotel is a short distance from Aberdeen International Airport and the Aberdeen Exhibition Conference Centre, and only a few minutes from the City Centre and Railway Station.

  

 

  
         
         
 
GOLF
  
         
 
 

Royal Aberdeen

Founded in 1780, Royal Aberdeen is the sixth oldest golf club in the world. The Course was originally designed by the Simpson Brothers, Archie and Robert of Carnoustie and later re-bunkered and lengthened by James Braid. Donald Steel & Company are now engaged as the Club's architects to ensure the classic links keeps pace with the modern game. The course runs essentially out and back along the North Sea shore. The outward nine (which is arguably acknowledged as one of the finest in links golf anywhere in the world) cuts its way through some wonderful dune formation and the inland nine on the plateau. A traditional old Scottish links, it is well bunkered with undulating fairways. It is an excellent balance of holes, strong par 4's, tricky par 3's and two classic par 5's, with the 8th (the signature hole) protected by 10 bunkers. The ever changing wind, tight greens and a magnificent finish makes Balgownie a test for the very best.

  
         
 
 

Cruden Bay

Cruden Bay Golf Course creates unique challenges demanding the skills of power, placement and fine judgement upon the discerning golfer. Set against a backdrop of subtly contoured greens and magnificent panoramic views, a visit to Cruden Bay will be a most memorable one. It is claimed that golf was played in the village of Cruden Bay as early as 1791. The original course, on the present site, was commissioned by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNSR) following the expansion of the railways at the end of the 19th century, designed by Old Tom Morris of St Andrews, and opened in 1899. Cruden Bay offers an internationally famous golfing experience - old fashioned links golf at its best - on one of the best links courses in Scotland, and last year was placed at No 52 in the world by "Golf Magazine".

  
         
 
 

Murcar

Established in 1909 to the design of Archie Simpson, with later refinements made in the 1930's by the celebrated golf course designer James Braid, Murcar is indeed a Championship links of some renown, in the finest of Scottish traditions. "Murcar Links is as fine a links course as you could wish to play" (Paul Lawrie, 1999 Open Champion) and adjoins Royal Aberdeen to its south side. With Cruden Bay a mere twenty minute car drive north, Murcar is without doubt, "a hidden gem" (Peter Alliss, TV Commentator & former Ryder Cup Player). The three of them are a hat trick of golf courses not to be missed by the discerning golfer. Not for the beginner or the faint hearted, Murcar Link's is a par 71 (ss 72) natural Championship links, which represents a truly challenging test of golf. To play it requires every shot in the book and if the wind is up, a few more besides!

  
         
 
 

Newburgh

Newburgh On Ythan Golf Club is next door to the proposed Trump International Golf Links and offers a chance to play on the exact same stretch of coastline as the proposed championship links. Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club was founded in 1888 and was originally a nine hole course laid out on the Newburgh Links which is located along the River Ythan estuary and the coastal dunes.  The course was extended in 1996 and the new nine holes - the outward half - is characterised by undulations and hills, with elevated tees and greens requiring a range of shot making.  The original inward nine demands accurate golf from tee to green and is the epitome of the typical Scottish links course. The course at Newburgh is noted for the quality of its greens, its playability regardless to the weather conditions and its magnificent setting.

  
         
 
 

Montrose

The Medal Course at Montrose is a majestic layout in the true traditions of Scottish Links golf and has hosted many important championships in its history including the the Scottish Amateur Championship in 1975 and the British Boys' Championship and Internationals in 1991. Montrose was honoured by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in being chosen as a Final Qualifying Course for the Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999. Montrose Links is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most historic Links in Scotland, golf having been played here for more than 400 years. This is a classic Willie Park Jnr links course which requires good shot-making, particularly in the sea breezes which can change the whole character of the course daily. From the first you get an idea what faces you with the opening hole playing every inch of its 393 yards when you drive to the foot of the hill leaving a blind approach shot. There is a proliferation of gorse, gullies, valleys and mounds to be overcome before, at the 10th it heads inland with the next six holes all demanding accurate iron play.

  
         
 
 

Peterhead

Nestling in the dunes above the point where the River Ugie and the North Sea meet you will find Peterhead Golf Club, one of the finest links courses to be found in Scotland. The Club, founded in 1841 is the 18th oldest golf club in the world. The original 9 hole course was laid out by Willie Park Jnr.,and then extended to 18 holes in 1908 and a second 9 hole course was later added to the layout. The course at Peterhead is an original links course and its layout owes very little to mans' handiwork. It is Mother Nature assisted by man that provides one of the most testing venues for a round of golf available. It will test the golfing ability of every standard of golfer from the high handicap to the scratch golfer. You will find a warm friendly atmosphere in which to play golf and in which to relax afterwards in the Clubhouse. 

  
         
 
 

Newmachar

Newmachar Golf Club, which has hosted European tour and international events, is on the outskirts of Aberdeen. The Hawkshill Course Opened for play in September 1990, this Dave Thomas designed, 6700 yard Championship Course, has been endorsed by Peter Alliss and is a real challenge to all who set foot on the first tee.With a par of 72 (SSS 74), (US Slope Rating 143), Hawkshill is the toughest of all the courses in the area. With water hazards coming in to play in no fewer than seven holes, mature silver birch and Scots pine trees lining the strategically bunkered fairways and greens, the Hawkshill Course is already acknowledged as one of the true tests of golf in Scotland.Although some commentators have likened it to an "American" layout, the real character of the course is firmly Scottish, with a similarity to the Kings Course at Gleneagles or Rosemount.