Roxburghe Golf Course

Located in the heart of the Scottish Borders, the Roxburghe course is set within a 50,000-acre estate formerly owned by the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe. A charming Jacobean mansion doubles up as a clubhouse and a stylish hotel. Within the estate, some three miles away, lies the Duke and Duchess's home, Floors Castle, the largest inhabited castle in Scotland. It's truly an exquisite setting.

The Duke, a keen golfer, commissioned former Ryder Cup player Dave Thomas to design the course and it opened for play following an exhibition match between Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie in 1997. The course bears Thomas's hallmarks, large, well-shaped greens and deep bunkers. The Roxburghe is certainly one of his best designs, sitting nicely alongside the Belfry and San Roque. The Scottish Seniors Open was staged at the Roxburghe from 2001 to 2005: David Oakley, Denis Durnian, Nick Job, Terry Gale and Bill Longmuir proved worthy Roxburghe winners.

Scoring well requires stout driving from the numerous elevated tees to the generous fairways. We suggest that you select your tee box carefully. There are four positions, ranging from 7,111 yards at the back, to a more leisurely 5,660 yards from the forward tees. The course makes good use of the natural features of the land, including the various elevation changes and the salmon rich River Teviot. The signature hole is undoubtedly the 14th, a stunning par five, aptly named "Viaduct". The river and a steep bank run along the left, guarding the full length of the hole, whilst the imposing viaduct watches silently on. It's a serious challenge, which belies its stroke index of 15.

The Roxburghe is certainly located at "The Gateway to Scottish Golf" and it will definitely provide a memorable test of golf for all standards. The setting is very special indeed - a delightful historic estate, with a fine golf course and a tasteful, understated hotel. Take the opportunity to visit Floors Castle and gardens, which are open to visitors. They're a real joy.

In 2018, a German property developer concluded a multi-million pound deal for the hotel and golf course. Dusseldorf-based 12.18. Investment said it planned to spend around £30 million in a redevelopment which would add fifty-seven more rooms, a spa and sixty lodges on the surrounding estate. The new facility reopened the following year as Schloss Roxburghe.