Inland beauties

Ladybank
IF you’re golfing in Fife then it’s hard to stray too far from the coast but an exception should most certainly be made for Ladybank, near Cupar, on the road to St Andrews. It is a gorgeous heathland course where the turf is springy and the trees create corridors of the fairways. I have never played it in anything less than peak condition and am now incapable of driving down the A91 without making the short detour. Dan Murphy

Boat of Garten
ONE of Scotland’s most beautiful courses sits on crumpled landscape 27 miles south east of Inverness in the heart of the glorious Cairngorm National Park. The course (pictured here) is a classic James Braid layout starting with a slightly nondescript par three but then blossoming into a fabulous test of golf that is as challenging as it is beguiling. It is no surprise it is sometimes labelled as the Gleneagles of the North. Colin Callander

Nairn Dunbar
GIVEN Nairn is most definitely a links, and that the town is most definitely beside the sea, you may be surprised to find Nairn Dunbar in this feature. But, although there is a seaside slant to some holes, this course has a more Gleneagles than Turnberry feel to it. The holes around the turn are especially picturesque with the short 8th worthy of inclusion in any composite fantasy course. Its greens are also gorgeous. Chris Bertram

Blairgowrie
BLAIRGOWRIE is home to three charming courses, The Rosemount, Landsdowne and Wee with the former having been described by Tom Morris as: “The most beautiful inland green I have ever seen.” The best known of the trio, the Rosemount, is now a combination of James Braid and Alister MacKenzie holes that wander through avenues of pine and silver birch.

Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas put the Landsdowne together in the 1970s, while the nine-hole Wee is part of the original MacKenzie layout and well worth a visit. Will Spence

Scotscraig
GOLFERS are obviously spoiled for choice in the St Andrews area but Scotscraig provides a wonderful inland alternative to the plentiful supply of links. The 13th-oldest club in the world is a fabulous combination of links and heathland with even a hint of parkland. Some holes are decorated with gorse and heather while conifers line others.

An Open Qualifying venue whenever the roadshow arrives in the Auld Grey Toun, it is always in immaculate condition and, while lacking the visual drama of seaside neighbours such as Kingsbarns or Crail, is a cracking and highly enjoyable test. Chris Bertram

The Roxburghe
THE Scottish Borders is a region of rare beauty and it now has a golf course to match. This modern layout blends seamlessly into its setting and takes full advantage of the hills, valleys, wooded areas and open spaces. The result is a course long enough to test the best yet a delight to play for the club golfer.

One hole, though, does stand out from the crowd. The par-five 14th is played towards the viaduct in the distance from an elevated tee – and lives long in the memory.

Dan Murphy