Argyll & Bute

Founded in 1895 in the centre of the village of Cardross, with design changes recommended by James Braid implemented in 1921, this parkland course hosted the 1992 Scottish PGA Championship, won by a young Paul Lawrie. Generous, undulating fairways lined with large deciduous trees give fine views over the River Clyde, and the club is renowned for the quality of its par 4s and its year-round playability.

Opened in 1889 in the village of Southend on the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, this natural links, shaped in part by Old Tom Morris and Alister MacKenzie, stretches to 4,799 yards over springy, undulating turf. High and low handicappers alike are tested by some of the finest greens in Scotland, with spectacular views to Sanda Island, Ailsa Craig, Ayrshire and, on a clear day, Northern Ireland.

James Braid's hidden gem nestled among the hills of the Glencruitten Estate on the outskirts of Oban, this par-62 hillside parkland course plays dramatically up and down, with elevated tees and perched greens. The remains of a vitrified Roman fort sit atop the hill on the 4th hole, buzzards, deer and heron are regular sights, and the club is the home course of Ryder Cup winner Robert MacIntyre.

A parkland gem in the seaside village of Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute, unique in Scotland for its 13-hole layout: golfers play the first 12 holes then repeat the first five, finishing with a separate 18th. The modest, par-68 course stretching 5,085 yards suits low-handicappers and beginners alike, with views across the Kyles of Bute to the hills of Cowal.

Founded in 1892 and extended and re-laid out by James Braid in 1908, this 18-hole parkland course circles Canada Hill above Rothesay, only three-quarters of a mile from the pier. At about 400 feet, the course gives sweeping views over the Firth of Clyde, the Cowal Hills, Lochs Riddon and Striven, the Mull of Kintyre, Arran and the Ayrshire coast; Walter Hagen reputedly called the views unbeatable anywhere in the world.