Central Scotland is a Special Destination For Golfers

By: Derek Clements | Wed 15 May 2024

If you are planning a golf break in Scotland you may be considering Fife or the Ayrshire coast.

As good as they are, I would urge you to give some thought to the central belt of God’s golfing country. And not the venues you may think, such as Gleneagles. It is possible to stay and play in this part of Scotland without it costing you a fortune.

I was born in Glasgow but headed south of the border when I was 18 and only really reconnected with the country of my birth in 2023 when we spent some time at Letham Feus, owned by Largo Leisure Holidays. It is located near Lundin Links, where I learnt to play golf many years ago.

I loved my time there but I have to tell you that it was nothing compared with the trip my wife and I have just enjoyed.

We spent a truly magical four days at Loch Tay Highland Lodges, also owned and run by Largo Leisure Holidays.

Let’s start with the fact that this is a location that will take your breath away. If it doesn’t then you need to take a long hard look at yourself. Yes, it is a perfect venue for golfers but it is much, much more than that. This is an ideal location for a family break.

The holiday park is located on the banks of Loch Tay, set in the heart of the Trossachs, and the scenery and surrounding views cannot fail but leave you speechless. This is a truly beautiful part of Scotland.

Loch Tay

Accommodation

There is a huge choice of accommodation on-site. We stayed in a one-bedroom woodside cabin with all mod-cons and a fully equipped kitchen.

One of the things that struck me was the quality of the fittings and furniture. These lodges really are like a home from home. They are centrally heated and there is also a log-burning fire. They really are as warm as toast. And they come with their own outdoor hot-tubs and fire pit.

There are also superior glamping pods, lodges with two, three, four and five bedrooms, as well as a shop where you can buy basic supplies.

Amenities include a children’s play area, shower and amenities lodge, campers’ kitchen, and BBQ and fire pit.

You may also find that the local wildlife is surprisingly friendly - we had two ducks come calling during our stay.

A word of warning - the Wi-Fi signal is not the best but do you really want to be bothered by the outside world when you are surrounded by such fabulous scenery? Probably not.

Things to Do

Located on the banks of the loch is The Boathouse, a beautiful restaurant and bar with an outside decking area. The food on offer is of the highest quality and there will be something to suit all tastes. I can definitely recommend the haggis, neeps and mash with whisky sauce and the home-made steak and sausage pie. There is also a wide choice of starters and desserts. As you would expect, the bar offers a wide range of whisky and a great selection of cocktails.

Food

And none of the prices will break the bank.

As far the list of activities on offer is concerned, where do I begin?

We took a boat out on the loch on a glorious spring day - all-day hire will cost you £140 and is something I would recommend you do because it is the best way to see the loch, its wildlife and surrounding countryside. There is also an 18-hole putting green, canoe hire, fishing boats, axe-throwing, archery - the list goes on.

If you are in this area to play golf you can head off for the day with a clear conscience, knowing that your family will definitely not be stuck for something to do.

The village of Killin is just a couple of miles away, boasting a number of shops, including a large, well-stocked Co-op, a waterfall and a variety of pubs and hotels. And a superb little nine-hole golf course.

Killin Golf Club

Nine holes, 2,495 yards, heathland
Green fee: 18 holes, £26
Day ticket: £39
Full membership: £375
Country membership: £270

Killin is one of the prettiest little nine-hole courses I have ever played. It is an absolute delight, set at the head of the loch. Although only nine holes, there are 18 tees and, as you will have noted above, it represents astonishing value for money.

1st 298 yards, par 4 / 10th 326 yards, par 4:

Played from an elevated tee with the river on the right, this is not for the faint of heart. Go right and you will be reaching for another ball. Go too far (or not far enough) and you will find a ditch. The approach is played to a small green guarded front right by a well-placed bunker. One of the features of Killin is the size of the greens - they are all pretty small so require pinpoint accuracy.

2nd, 214 yards, par 3 / 11th, 188 yards, par 3:

A terrific short hole, again played to a small, narrow green protected by a bunker to the right.

3rd, 206 yards, par 3 / 12th, 206 yards, par 3:

Plays downhill and the key is to make sure you don’t go too long, otherwise your ball will come to rest against a wall

4th, 370 yards, par 4 / 13th, 370 yards, par 4:

A cracking par four. You hit a blind drive over a hill to a narrow fairway that funnels into a gap and are then faced with a blind second over a hill to a green guarded by two bunkers.

5th, 97 yards, par 3 / 14th, 100 yards, par 3:

Don’t be fooled by the yardage. You have to hit your tee-shot over a wall that guards the front of the green and stop it short of the bunker at the back of the putting surface. I can imagine that this hole has ruined a few scorecards over the years.

6th, 329 yards, par 4 / 15th, 282 yards, par 4:

This a downhill par four that looks easy enough but the approach is played to a raised green with two well-placed bunkers.

7th, 320 yards, par 4 / 16th, 345 yards, par 4:

Another cracking par four that is played sharply uphill, with another blind approach to a small green.

8th, 145 yards, par 3 / 17th, 159 yards, par 3:

This is the best short hole on the course, played from an elevated tee with out of bounds on the right, to a narrow green.

9th, 516 yards, par 5 / 18th, 516 yards, par 5:

And they have saved the best until last. Not only is this a great golf hole but it offers some fabulous views. You drive over a marker post, with a towering oak tree on the right, and then hit your second over another marker towards a green that slopes from right to left, with another wall at the rear. Do not go right!

Food

Indian Food

Hold the front page! If you are a regular reader you will know that I have a thing about awful golf club food.

I am here to tell you that Killin has turned golf club cuisine on its head! The catering has recently been taken over by Craig Learmouth and renamed The Main Course and it offers the best Indian food I have ever eaten - bar none. You can also opt for more traditional food and home-made pizzas. On the night we opted to eat there the place was absolutely rocking. Not only is the food sensational, but it is well-priced, the atmosphere is wonderful and the service could not have been more friendly.

If you are visiting this area, you simply have to eat here.

Check out The Main Course on Facebook.

Other Golf Courses to Play

If you are visiting this part of Scotland there are several other courses you have to play.

Callander Golf Club

5,208 yards, par 66
Green fee: £39
Day ticket: £50
Highly Recommended on Golfshake

Located at the entrance to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, this parkland course affords panoramic views to Ben Ledi and, in the par-three 15th, features one of the most famous short holes in Scotland.

Mains of Taymouth Golf Course

5,458 yards, par 66
Green fee: Nine holes: £18 & 18 holes: £25
Highly Recommended on Golfshake

Another course with stunning panoramic views. Opened in 1992 on converted farmland by the banks of the River Tay, there is also accommodation here.

Dunkeld & Birnam Golf Club

Dunkeld & Birnam

5,469 yards, par 69
Green fee: 18 holes: £42
Day ticket: £60
Highly Recommended on Golfshake

Dunkeld & Birnam Golf Club was originally designed by the legendary Old Tom Morris. The current heathland course is set on a hillside overlooking the historic town of Dunkeld and is regarded by many as the prettiest course in Highland Perthshire.