Over 3,700 Business Meetings Featured at Scottish Golf Tourism Week

A week cementing Scotland's position as the epicenter of world golf concluded triumphantly. The Scottish Golf Tourism Week culminated in the prestigious Scottish Golf Tourism Awards ceremony at the National Museum of Scotland.

Edinburgh's capital city hosted an intensely global atmosphere during this event. From March 10-13, the gathering reunited golf tourism industry partners from across the globe for its ninth annual edition.

Over 3,700 face-to-face meetings took place, complemented by golfing itineraries at iconic courses including Gullane Golf Club, North Berwick Golf Club, and Bruntsfield Links.

Exploration tours, familiarization trips, and extensive networking opportunities further enriched the program, with Kimpton Charlotte Square and InterContinental Edinburgh The George serving as primary host venues.

Since its 2016 inception, Scottish Golf Tourism Week has consistently driven growth in Scotland's golf tourism sector.

The event has facilitated tens of thousands of Business meetings and thousands of familiarization trips while welcoming buyers from five continents.

Representatives from Canada, China, Spain, and the United States were among attending tour operators at the 2026 edition.

This year, over 90 Scottish businesses engaged with 94 international golf tour operators from more than 35 countries.

A Celebration of Global Golf Industry Excellence

Finalists, guests, and industry leaders gathered to spotlight Scottish golf excellence through the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.

From Golf Courses to clubhouses, hotels to off-course experiences, the awards comprehensively celebrated the birthplace of Golf.

These honors recognize outstanding achievements within Scotland's golf tourism industry by acknowledging premier courses, hotels, and experiences that solidify its reputation as a world-class golf destination.

Owen Wyatt, Chief Growth Officer of organizer DC Thomson, emphasized the sector's significance:

"I deeply care about Scottish tourism because it sustains communities, jobs, and local economies nationwide. At DC Thomson, if we're serious about understanding Scotland's economy, we must seriously understand the sectors driving it."

Hosted by BBC sports broadcaster Jason Mohammad, the awards ceremony honored 15 winners and three highly commended recipients across categories. Winners were selected by an independent panel of golf and tourism industry judges.

2026 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards Winners

Best Value Hotel (3-star): Abbotsford Hotel Ayr

Best Premium Hotel (4-star): Another Place, The Machrie

Best Luxury Hotel (5-star): Old Course Hotel, St Andrews
Highly Commended: Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire

Best Exclusive Use Venue: Gilmerton House, North Berwick

Best Community Golf Course: MacKenzie Championship Course, Aberdeen
Highly Commended: Dunnikier Park Golf Course, Kirkcaldy

Best 9-Hole Course: Milnathort Golf Club, Kinross

Best Course Under £100: Schloss Roxburghe, Kelso

Best £100–£200 Course: Cruden Bay Golf Club
Highly Commended: Murcar Links, Aberdeen

Best Course Over £200: The Carnoustie Championship Course

Best Clubhouse: Castle Stuart Golf Links at Cabot Highlands, Inverness

Best Pro Shop: Nairn Golf Club

Best Golf Marketing Campaign: St Andrews Links – Old Course Reversed

Best Sustainability Project: St Andrews Links

Best Off-Course Experience: The Hickory Golf Workshop

Best Tour Operator: Pioneer Golf

With its expanding global participation and elevated execution quality, Scottish Golf Tourism Week reaffirmed its status as one of the most influential platforms in the global golf sports and tourism industry. (golfbusinessnews)