Everything is ‘just so’ here. Set in the rolling hills of Perthshire, The Glorious Playground – as Gleneagles is known – has hosted both the Ryder and Solheim Cups. The illustrious King’s course has been, since its creation in 1919, one of the world’s most beautiful spots to play. Start the day with a sensational breakfast spread – the creamiest scrambled eggs, crispily delicious bacon – before setting off to one of the estate’s three championship courses. After a strenuous few rounds, head to the spa for a relaxing hot-stone massage, or enjoy the indoor pools, steam room and saunas, followed by a dinner of beef wellington and old-school flambéed classics in The Strathearn restaurant. gleneagles.com
The Fife Arms, Braemar
Here it’s all so bijou and bespoke… Your partner wants to play gold; you want to study poetry by Burns beneath a Picasso? Only the truly jaded could be bored at The Fife Arms. Every bedroom is assiduously decorated according to its own individual theme. No less fascinating are the ghillies, who can take you salmon fishing, or to play a round of golf at Braemar Golf, the wildest – and highest – 18-hole course in Scotland. For more relaxed courses, there are Ballater and Aboyne nearby, and for those looking for championship-worthy spots, Panmure and the old Course at St Andrews are possible to visit on a day trip. Back at the hotel, enjoy a post-gold dram of some of the rarest, and finest, whiskies at Bertie’s, which is home to more than 500 bottles. thelifearms.com