published: Jan 22, 2026

updated: Apr 16, 2026

NCG Top 100s: Scotland – My favourite region

Matt Coles

What do our panellists say is their favourite region of Scotland following the announcement of the new NCG Top 100s list?

The view out to sea at Brora | Source: Brora

The new NCG Top 100s: Scotland list has just been announced for 2026, but what would each of our panellists say is their favourite region?

All four corners of Scotland, and plenty more besides, are home to some stunning golfing layouts. Links courses line the outer edges of the nation, while inland tracks use topography rather than the coastline to illustrate design and intrigue.

We have plenty of lists to localise the hundreds of courses around Scotland, all of which encapsulate the spirit and essence of golf in those regions.

What do our panellists think? They all will have played different courses, and still want to play others. Will they choose the north, or the south; the east, or the west? Find out here….

**The view out to sea at Shiskine | Source: Shiskine**

Which section of Scotland would our panellists choose as their favourite region?

Jim Marshall: North Berwick is my wee paradise. Quirky links and views to make a grown Scot ‘greet’.

Chris Myatt: Argyll and the Western Isles, as the journey is part of the golf experience

Craig Morrison: Kintyre. The pipes and drums on the beach. Paul. Linda. Carry me back to the days I knew then. (And the golf too).

Charles Abraham: Aberdeen – great courses.

Lewis Marr: Ayrshire

David Walker: Moray and Sutherland – great variation with some world-class courses and wonderful scenery.

**An aerial view of Duff House Royal | Source: Duff House Royal**

If you venture even further up north, a place some are hesitant to go, you might just find the best area in Scotland.

Greg Webber: Golf in the Highlands is spectacular

Hugh Masson: The Highlands. So peaceful and stunning. The only regret is not being able to spend more time up there

Phil Bedford: Highlands

Paul Watson: The Northwest Highlands, due to its dramatic scenery and atmospheric aura

Oliver Baker: Highlands

Michael Verity: Inverness and the Highlands

David Elliott: The Highlands. It was my first visit this year, and I will definitely return

RELATED: Which courses do our panellists think are underrated?
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RELATED: Which Scottish course is home to the best putting surfaces?

**The 4th hole at Fortrose & Rosemarkie | Source: Fortrose & Rosemarkie**

Some regions in Scotland garner the most attention for their range of top golf courses…

Michael Atkinson: East Lothian – it is a part of Scotland that is simply awash with some of the most beautiful golf courses. Over 20 courses of exceptional quality and fame within a 30-mile stretch.

Neil White: East Lothian, but it’s a close-run thing.

David Fox: East Lothian

Chris Griffiths: East Lothian. Golfing heaven.

Craig Redston: East Lothian

Ian Woods: Fife – So many greats to choose from.

Jim Banting: Fife/St. Andrews – so many great and varied courses.

Peter Rudd: Fife – so many great courses including St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. Also rains less than in most other areas of Scotland.

Andi White: Fife – so many spectacular golf courses

**The view from the Castle Course at St Andrews | Source: St Andrews Links**

Sometimes, though, there are so many good options that it is impossible to narrow them down.

Dove Jones: Like picking your favourite child – love them all.

Ed Battye: Can I say all of them? If I have to pick one, I will go with the obvious and choose St. Andrews.

Steve Watton: Most areas of Scotland provide amazing options for golf, but many courses are getting so expensive. I recommend the east coast north of Inverness, the Highlands, and the west coast and islands.

NOW READ: Which course is home to the hardest hole in the country?
NOW READ: Which venue pleasantly surprised our panellists?
NOW READ: Where do our panellists want to visit next in Scotland?

Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast

Now have your say

What is your favourite region when it comes to golf in Scotland? Where have you visited before on a golf trip? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!

About the author

Matt Coles

Mention a European country, and Matt will tell you which resorts make the National Club Golfer Top 100s: European Resorts list. He might even throw in who designed the golf course and how many rooms the hotel has got at each one…

Matt got into the game of golf from a young age, following his old man to the local golf club. He fell for the sport, and now can’t seem to go a day without thinking about how to improve his game (Thanks Dad!). Matt has been a member of Howley Hall GC in Leeds since 2020, and is just about managing to maintain a single-figure handicap. He likes to remind people that he once broke 75, but won’t tell people that it was on a shortened course during the winter.

He moved to Leeds after graduating from the University of Central Lancashire with a First Class Honours degree in Sports Journalism. Matt joined NCG after almost five years travelling the world with the Professional Squash Association, working on events in all four corners of the globe.

Matt currently plays a Cobra King LTDx driver and RadSpeed 3-wood. TaylorMade monopolise the rest of his bag, with a SIM UDI, M5 irons and both Milled Grind and HI-TOE wedges, along with a Monza Redline putter. He uses a Vice Pro Plus golf ball, because he’s a bit different…

Away from golf, Matt is a Manchester United fan, and a keen runner, having ran the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon (his first and possibly last), in May 2023.

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