Meldrum House Golf Course

Meldrum House Golf Course sits on the grounds of a proper Scottish estate just outside Inverurie, and it's a cracking 18-hole layout that doesn't try to be something it's not. The course winds through mature woodland and parkland, which means you get decent views without the pretentious faffing about that some courses go in for. It's a decent challenge too - not brutally difficult, but it rewards decent shots and punishes sloppy ones.

Golfers will get the most from this. Non-golfers can wander the grounds if the mood takes, but honestly there's not a lot to do if you're not playing. It's the kind of place where members and visitors come for an afternoon round, a meal in the clubhouse, and that's the day sorted.

You'll need to contact the course directly about visitor rates and availability - Scottish courses vary wildly on what they charge walk-ups, and sometimes membership clubs restrict guests. Allow three to four hours for a round. The estate itself has a bit of history, which adds something to the whole experience beyond just the golf.

If you're staying at Glamping Bothie nearby, this makes an easy half-day trip. The bothies are only six miles away, so it's no bother to pop over for a round and back for supper. It works well as part of a wider Aberdeenshire golf tour if you're that way inclined, though the surrounding countryside has plenty of other walks and spots worth your time too.