All of you following along on Instagram know that in September we headed to Scotland with good friends to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Playing golf in Scotland has been top of his bucket list for eons, so I was so excited to make it happen for him. But as a non-golfer, I was a bit hesitant. What were us non-golfers going to do while he was playing golf?
But while Scotland may be a golfer’s paradise, it also has plenty to offer non-golfers! With more than 2,000 castles to explore, over 120 active whisky distilleries to visit, and tons of hiking trails and outdoor sports to try, I never spent one moment feeling like a golf widow.
Here’s a recap of some of my favorite things to do in Scotland. If you’re just here for the golf, I’ve added information at the bottom of the post.
Top (Non-Golf) Things To Do in Scotland
Take a Tour in Edinburgh
We kicked off our visit with a tour of Edinburgh with Context Travel. Starting at the Scottish National Gallery, we hit all the Old Town highlights including the graveyard that inspired the monikers of several Harry Potter characters including Tom Riddle, Grassmarket Square, St. Giles Cathedral and the Canongate Tolbooth. We ended with a visit to Edinburgh Castle.
Step Back in History in the Highlands
There’s so much to see in the Highlands! Here are some of the highlights.
Culloden Battlefield
This windblown moor is the location of the last battle fought on British soil. You can wander the battlefield where the Jacobites made their final stand in 1745. But to get a better understanding of the Jacobite uprising and the battle, make sure to also visit the outstanding exhibits in the visitor center.
Clava Cairns
If you’re a fan of Diana Gabaldon’s popular Outlander series (now a television show), you’re probably already familiar with Clava Cairns, a bronze-age burial ground located just minutes from the Culloden Battle Field. It’s said that the stone circle featured in the Outlander books, Craigh na Dun, is inspired by this 4,000-year-old site.
Cawdor Castle
This impressive 15th-century castle, with a tower, drawbridge and maze, comes with Shakespearean lore and some ghost stories. But the day we visited the sun was shining and there were no witches in site.
Dunrobin Castle
My favorite of all the castles we toured! Looking like it belongs in a fairytale, this seaside castle is located on the east side of the Northern Highlands overlooking the Moray Firth (and near by to the Royal Dornoch Golf Club). Even though we toured in a downpour, we still got to enjoy an impressive falconry display.
Live Like Royalty at Gleneagles
Gleneagles is five-star playground! Located on 850-acres and with more than 250 rooms and suites, the resort is bigger than I expected. But it has all the offerings you could dream of including four golf courses, a spa, shooting, fishing, horseback riding, falconry, archery, tennis, cycling, fishing and a gun dog experience. It also has several bars and restaurants including the two Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie. Suffice it to say, I was ready to move in!
Explore St. Andrews on Foot
St. Andrews might be known as the birthplace of golf (as well as the place Prince William met Kate). But it’s also charming town oozing with history at every turn. These were some of our favorite stops.
Fife Coastal Path
We picked up the Fife Coastal Path just north of the Kingsbarn Golf Links (a few miles outside of St. Andrews) and hiked several miles south on this gorgeous, sea-side trail. It’s pretty well marked and easy to manage, especially while hiking below the golf course. Just make sure to keep a lookout for wayward golf balls!
St. Andrews Castle and Cathedral
Go back in time while exploring the cliffside ruins of the St. Andrews castle. The castle is located just blocks from the Old St. Andrew course and it’s an easy walk to get there. Head a bit father and you can also visit the St. Andrews cathedral.
Kilt Shopping
What would a trip to Scotland be without some shopping for all things cashmere, wool and plaid. That includes kilts, of course! You can get your own made-to-order kilt with all the fixings at Kirk Wynd Highland House. That includes a sporran, a traditional purse-like pouch.
Stirling Castle
About an hour from St. Andrews is one of Scotland’s most famous places, Stirling Castle. It was just south of here, at Bannockburn, that Robert the Bruce won both the castle and freedom from the English subjugation. Want to know more about your own Scottish ancestors? Make sure to stop by their ancestry booth.
Scotland Restaurant Recommendations
Rocpool: This Inverness hot spot is located on the banks of the River Ness with views of the Inverness Castle (today a courthouse). The bistro offers a Mediterranean-influenced menu that makes the most of quality, locally-sourced ingredients, especially seafood.
Andrew Fairlie: The two-starred Michelin restaurant at Gleneagles is truly splurge-worthy! Our favorite dish? The must-try signature smoked lobster.
Forgan’s: Housed a former cleek factory just off Market Street in the middle of St. Andrews, this festive restaurant specializes in comfort dishes (try the beef bourguignon!) made with the finest local ingredients. If you’re traveling with a group, book one of their semi-private dining “bothies.”
All About the Golf
We used Marc Dunbar with Dunbar Golf Tours to book all the golf tee times, the caddies and the rental car. He did a great job and I highly recommend if you’re interested in playing golf in Scotland (or Ireland). One note: we didn’t love all the hotels he recommended, so make sure to do a little research on your own before reserving rooms.
We used Ship Sticks to get the golf clubs to and from Scotland. They offer super easy (and quick) door-to-door service.
Want more information about our trip to Scotland? Make sure to check out my post on what I packed for our trip!