A hugely successful Scottish Golf Tourism Week in association with Luxe Scot in Edinburgh and East Lothian concluded with the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards on Thursday evening at the historic National Museum of Scotland.

A brilliant week in Scotland’s capital saw Scottish Golf Tourism Week (SGTW) bring global partners from the golf tourism industry together for the ninth year. Over 3,700 face-to-face meetings took place, alongside golf days at Gullane Golf Club, North Berwick Golf Club and Bruntsfield Links. Also, excursions, familiarisation trips and many other networking opportunities, with the host venues of Kimpton Charlotte Square and InterContinental Edinburgh The George.

Since the events’ launch in 2016, Scottish Golf Tourism Week has continued to accelerate growth across Scotland’s golf tourism sector, creating tens of thousands of face-to-face business meetings and thousands of familiarisation trips, welcoming buyers from five continents across the globe.

From Canada to China, Spain and the USA – these are just some of the countries that have been represented by tour operators at Scottish Golf Tourism Week 2026. This year, over 90 Scottish businesses and 94 top international golf tour operators representing over 35 nations from all around the world.

On Thursday evening, finalists, guests and industry partners gathered for a special evening all focused on highlighting the very best of golf in Scotland with the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.

From golf courses to clubhouses, hotels to off-the-course experiences, and all points in between, it was a true celebration of the country and people that gave golf to the world.

The awards exist to celebrate the outstanding achievements within the Scottish golf tourism industry by recognising the finest courses, hotels and experiences that have helped shape Scotland’s reputation as a world-class golfing destination.

Owen Wyatt, Chief Growth Officer at event organisers, DC Thomson, said: “I care passionately about tourism in Scotland because it is one of the industries that keeps communities, jobs and local economies alive right across the country. And at DC Thomson, if we are serious about understanding Scotland’s economy, we have to be serious about understanding the sectors that power it.”

Host, BBC TV and radio presenter, Jason Mohammad, commented: “What an amazing venue, so many fantastic people doing great things for Scottish golf”.

The awards saw 15 winners and 3 highly commended businesses across the various categories. These were chosen by an expert panel of independent judges from across the golf and tourism industry.

Scottish Golf Tourism Week and the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards in association with Luxe Scot will return in 2027, with the host location and venue to be revealed in due course. Those looking to attend are encouraged to register early at scottishgolftourismweek.co.uk.

The 2026 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards in association with Luxe Scot winners

Best Budget-Friendly Hotel – 3 star or equivalent: Abbotsford Hotel Ayr

Best Premium Hotel – 4 star or equivalent: Another Place, The Machrie

Best Luxury Hotel – 5 star or equivalent sponsored by Nespresso Professional: Winner -Old Course Hotel

Best Luxury Hotel – 5 star or equivalent sponsored by Nespresso Professional: Highly Commended – Gleneagles Hotel

Best Exclusive Use Venue: Gilmerton House

Best Municipal or Community-Owned Golf Course sponsored by bunkered: Winner – MacKenzie Championship Course, Aberdeen

Best Municipal or Community-Owned Golf Course sponsored by bunkered: Highly Commended – Dunnikier Park Golf Course

Best 9-Hole Course: Milnathort Golf Club

Best Course under £100 sponsored by Kimpton Hotels (IHG Hotels & Resorts): Schloss Roxburghe

Best Course £100 – £200: Winner – Cruden Bay Golf Club

Best Course £100 – £200: Highly Commended – Murcar Links

Best Course £200 and Over sponsored by Luxe Scot: The Carnoustie Championship Course

Best Clubhouse sponsored by Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts: Castle Stuart Golf Links at Cabot Highlands

Best Pro Shop sponsored by Golf Genius: Nairn Golf Club

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

Best Sustainability Project sponsored by Visit Scotland: St Andrews Links

Best Off the Course Experience sponsored by Aberdein Considine: The Hickory Golf Workshop

Best Tour Operator sponsored by Scotland Distilled – Diageo Whisky Experiences: Pioneer Golf