The Macdonald Cardrona is the only venue on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list found in the Scottish Borders, and it is also one of the newest. The venue features a Dave Thomas-designed golf course, along with a leisure club and spa, and sublime accommodation thanks to the Macdonald chain.  

 

The Championship Course at the Macdonald Cardrona opened just after the turn of the century, with Dave Thomas sprinkling his magic on this piece of land in Peebles. The Par 72 layout measures a smidge over 7,000 yards, and winds its way around the resort, and the River Tweed. The course has played host to the European Challenge Tour on two occasions, and there is also a driving range and short game area to allow golfers to practice prior to taking on the course.  

 

Following a game of golf, you might want to spend some time at the Leisure Club and Spa. The Macdonald Cardrona has its own state-of-the-art gym facility with cardio and resistance machines along with free weights. There is also an indoor, heated swimming pool, along with the opportunity to indulge in a hot stone massage, facial treatment, deep tissue massage, body wrap or whatever your body requires, with the spa offering an impressive range of treatments.  

 

At the end of the day, it’s time to rest your head. There is a glorious and comfortable selection of rooms on offer at the Macdonald Cardrona. Standard Rooms come with either a king-sized bed or twin beds, with some of these being adapted to make them into Accessible Rooms. There are also Deluxe and Super Deluxe Rooms to offer guests even more luxury and comfort during their stay.  

 

 

Book your trip to Cardrona with Golfbreaks now.  

  

Visit the Cardrona website here.  

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The Par 72 Championship Course at Cardrona was designed in 2001 and matured quickly in rank and reputation, hosting Challenge Tour events in 2007 and 2008. Playability for golfers of all levels is achieved through a wide choice of tee options, with the course measuring 7,010 yards from the championship tees and 6,139 yards from the front markers. 

 

Dave Thomas was the man behind the course at the Borders resort, with the former Ryder Cup player having also had a hand in the design of all three courses at The Belfry. The course has several feels to it, with some holes playing through moorlands, while others have a more parkland look to them. The River Tweed runs through the course, coming into play on several holes, but never cuts across, it only runs parallel to a hole, meaning it’s always in your eyeline.  

 

One of Thomas’ hallmarks to his golf course design, big bunkers, is on show immediately. There are eight of them down the par 5 1st hole. Miss them all and you might be able to come away with a birdie on the opener. The 2nd is a drivable par 4 at just 300 yards long, while the 7th offers a tricky test of a 400-yard par 4 that turns left to right and requires a long and accurate drive. The good news is you might have just got a shot back at the par 5 6th if you’ve played it well. 

 

The 14th is the longest hole on the course at more than 570 yards from the tips, but there is only one bunker and no water in the way, so it is arguably one of the easier holes on the property. What follows are four tricky par 4s, with the course culminating in a tough 400-yard closing hole, which has a water hazard to the right of the green.  

Cardrona is part of the Macdonald chain, a brand you will find at several venues on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list. The resort offers a luxurious and comfortable bedroom with a variety of rooms fit to suit all parties that make the trip to the Scottish Borders. 

 

The Standard Rooms at the Macdonald Cardrona can come equipped with either twin beds or a king-sized bed. They also come with flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and added seating. Families can opt for the Standard Double Family, with extra beds provided to sleep four guests. There are also Deluxe and Super Deluxe Rooms, with the latter being the most luxurious choice at the hotel. The Super Deluxe Rooms come with their own private patio or balcony for guests to enjoy the views of the region, overlooking the championship golf course.  

 

There is also a range of Accessible Rooms on offer at the Macdonald Cardrona. Each Accessible offering has extra space for wheelchairs, along with adaptations to make the room more comfortable. There are lowered baths, handrails and alarms linked to reception should anything go wrong during a stay at the hotel.  

 

The main eatery at the resort is Renwick’s Restuarant. Local produce, panoramic views and comfortable seating – Renwick's is the perfect spot for your evening meal. The Lounge & Bar offers a suitable space for drinks following your meal, while the Spikes Bar is the place for golfers to relax in after their round on the championship course. 

The Macdonald Cardrona has its own Leisure Club. The club features an 18-metre indoor, heated swimming pool, along with a state-of-the-art gym where guests and members will find a wide range of gym equipment, including cardiovascular machines, resistance machines and free weights.  

 

The spa at the resort is the perfect spot for those looking to relax and unwind during their time in the Scottish Borders. Spa breaks and spa days are available at Macdonald Cardrona, with guests able to indulge in a range of treatments, including hot stone massages, body wraps, facial treatments, and even adapted massages for pregnant women.  

Where is Cardrona?  
The Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa is just outside the village of Peebles, in Peeblesshire, Scotland. It is around 15 miles from Galashiels, while Scotland’s capital city – Edinburgh – is 30 miles to the north of the resort.  

What is the nearest airport and station to Cardrona?  
Located just to the west of the capital city is Edinburgh Airport, the nearest major international airport to the Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa. More than 10 million passengers travelled through Edinburgh Airport in 2022, and it is the busiest airport in the country, with flights to plenty of European destinations, and to North America. Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Prestwick Airport are both within a two-hour drive from Cardrona as well. 

 

Galashiels and Tweedbank are the nearest train stations, both around 15 miles away. The pair lie on the Edinburgh-Tweedbank line, with the latter being the final stop on the service. A train travels in both directions every half an hour. 

What golf facilities does Cardrona offer?  
Along with the Dave Thomas-designed championship course, the Macdonald Cardrona Resort also has a driving range with both grass and matted tees, along with a putting green, chipping area and practice bunker for those final touches before taking on the course.  

What are the green fees at Cardrona?  
The price of a green fee at Cardrona changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. There are also stay & play packages available at the resort.  

 

For more information on current green fees at Cardrona, visit their website here. 

What accommodation is on offer at Cardrona?  
There is a wide range of rooms on offer at Cardrona. With it being part of the Macdonald chain, like Aviemore and Portal, guests know what to expect from a stay at the resort. Standard, Deluxe and Super Deluxe Rooms are all available, while Accessible Rooms are also there for those that require a room with adaptations to make their stay more comfortable.  

What other resorts are nearby?  
Cardrona is within an hour of three other venues on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list, all of which are in different directions. Craigielaw is to the northeast and Dalmahoy the northwest, while Schloss Roxburghe is to the southeast and on the border with England.  

 

 

Book your trip to Cardrona with Golfbreaks now.  

  

Visit the Cardrona website here.  

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.