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Scottish Golf Tourism Awards Cap Off A Great Week for Golf Industry

Written by DC Thomson | Mar 13, 2026 12:00:00 AM

A hugely successful Scottish Golf Tourism Week in association with Luxe Scot in Edinburgh and East Lothian concluded with the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards on Thursday evening at the historic National Museum of Scotland.

A brilliant week in Scotland’s capital saw Scottish Golf Tourism Week (SGTW) 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 Golf Club, North Berwick Golf Club and Bruntsfield Links. Also, excursions, familiarisation trips and many other networking opportunities, with the host venues of Kimpton Charlotte Square and InterContinental Edinburgh

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 face-to-face 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.

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.

The awards saw 15 winners and 3 highly commended businesses across the various categories. These were chosen by an expert panel of independent judges from across the golf and tourism industry.

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. Those looking to attend are encouraged to register early at scottishgolftourismweek.co.uk.

The 2026 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards in association with Luxe Scot winners

  • 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

  • Best Luxury Hotel – 5 star or equivalent sponsored by Nespresso Professional: Highly Commended – Gleneagles Hotel

  • Best Exclusive Use Venue: Gilmerton House

  • Best Municipal or Community-Owned Golf Course sponsored by bunkered: Winner – MacKenzie Championship Course, Aberdeen

  • Best Municipal or Community-Owned Golf Course sponsored by bunkered: Highly Commended – Dunnikier Park Golf Course

  • Best 9-Hole Course: Milnathort Golf Club

  • Best Course under £100 sponsored by Kimpton Hotels (IHG Hotels & Resorts): Schloss Roxburghe

  • Best Course £100 - £200: Winner – Cruden Bay Golf Club

  • Best Course £100 - £200: Highly Commended – Murcar Links

  • 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

  • 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 the Course Experience sponsored by Aberdein Considine: The Hickory Golf Workshop

  • Best Tour Operator sponsored by Scotland Distilled – Diageo Whisky Experiences: Pioneer Golf