Fraserburgh Golf Club

According to the British Golf Museum in St Andrews, Fraserburgh is Scotland's fifth oldest golf club and the seventh oldest in the world, yet it still feels like a proper north-east secret. Golf has been played here since 1613 or possibly earlier, and that sense of history is never far away once you step onto the links.

What to expect

Set in rugged dunes on the Moray Firth, Fraserburgh is classic, wind-affected links golf. The fairways are satisfyingly rumpled, the turf is firm enough to encourage the bump-and-run and the pot bunkers are the sort you really want to avoid, especially when the breeze gets up. The holes simply follow the land, with enough twists and turns in the dunes to keep you thinking.

How it plays

This isn't a resort course that flatters you. You'll score best by keeping the ball down, picking the right side of the fairway and accepting that some days the smart shot is the one that leaves a simple next one. The greens reward the right leave, not just a flushed iron, so it's not just a case of swinging hard and hoping.

At 6,308 yards from the medal tees it's not long by modern standards, but it's a proper test when the wind turns. If you're building a north-east Scotland itinerary and fancy somewhere with real heritage and a no-nonsense links feel, Fraserburgh is a cracking shout.

Include Fraserburgh on your next Scotland golf break and we'll help with tee times and the best bases for exploring Aberdeenshire.

Who is this for? If you'd rather find a proper links away from the queues at the headline names, enjoy traditional layouts with real character and want to add genuine historical depth to a north-east Scotland golf tour without paying championship-venue green fees.

Who is it best for? Golfers who enjoy using the ground game, shaping shots in the wind and don't need spa-and-resort frills. It's ideal for links enthusiasts who value authenticity and history-minded players wanting to tick off one of the oldest courses in the world.