Our Venues
Ancient Links Venues
Each of our venues remains proudly and distinctly itself; Ancient Links provides the stability, sustainability, and resources to protect each clubs’ community role for generations to come. Scotscraig Golfing Club and Forfar Golf Club have been integral to their communities for centuries, and will continue to be so, retaining their own character, history and legacy for the generations yet to step onto a golf course.
Scotscraig Golfing Club
Scotscraig is a six-time Open Qualifying venue with a proud history and a pivotal role in historic Scottish golf. Established in 1817 by members of the Society of St Andrews Golfers, it remains the oldest course still to be owned and played by its founding club.
Since establishing a partnership with Ancient Links in October 2025, Scotscraig has enjoyed significant investment across the entire venue; April 2026 marked the formal opening of Scotscraig’s upgraded clubhouse and the return of the historic Scotscraig Golfing Club name. The changes respect a club founded in 1817 while providing members and visitors with a higher standard of experience today.
Clubhouse and heritage
The clubhouse has been restored throughout and now offers distinct spaces for different uses: a welcoming clubhouse restaurant, the Wee Bar, and the Playfair Trophy Room, which gives members and visitors an opportunity to see how Scotscraig’s heritage is part of the daily life of the club rather than treated as a display piece.
Course and Infrastructure
The largest single project has been the installation of the Rain Bird irrigation system, which is now fully operational across the greens, tees and fairways. For the first time, the course has full fairway coverage, giving the greenkeeping team far greater control over water application, turf consistency and overall course condition. A further 1,300 m² of resin-bound pathways has been installed around the course, improving accessibility, presentation and year-round movement while reducing wear in high-traffic areas. The greenkeeping team has received new John Deere equipment, improving reliability, productivity and consistency of course.
Member experience
The visible investment has been well received by members and visitors. Not only does the venue look better, the overall experience from booking through to arrival, golf and hospitality, has been enhanced, leading to greater member enjoyment and loyalty.
Forfar Golf Club
Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1871, Forfar is the world’s first 18-hole course designed as such from inception. Unlike earlier courses that were later extended or reduced to 18 holes, Forfar was conceived from the beginning as a complete 18-hole test. That alone gives Forfar a unique place in the story of golf course architecture. But its significance runs even deeper.
The course is globally unique, laid out across a remarkable rig and furrow landscape shaped by monastic farming more than 900 years ago. Although Forfar sits inland, this ancient terrain creates a naturally firm, running, links-like character, with movement, angles and lies that no modern architect could truly recreate.
Joining in partnership with Ancient Links in Spring 2026, Forfar has embarked upon a broad programme of clubhouse and course improvements.
Clubhouse facilities
The showers, toilets and locker rooms at Forfar have been comprehensively refurbished. A new commercial kitchen has been installed, and the former dining room has been developed into Rig & Furrow, a standalone restaurant serving members, visitors, and the local community. Rig & Furrow gives Forfar a superior food and beverage offer, and creates a reason for locals to use the clubhouse beyond a round of golf, supporting both revenue and the club's place in the community.
Course and infrastructure
The course programme to date has focused on first impressions, presentation and the restoration of architectural character. A new first tee complex has been completed, including stone walls and a resin-bound path. It provides a stronger arrival point and a more appropriate introduction to the golf course. All 78 bunkers have been excavated, reshaped, edged and refilled with premium sand. This has been one of the most ambitious pieces of work undertaken at the venue and has made an immediate difference to presentation, consistency and playability.
Member experience
Through investment across the course and the clubhouse, members have engaged with the improved golf, facilities, and hospitality offering. Forfar has, and continues to be, an important part of its local community, as well as an architecturally significant and historic course.