Border patrol

Andy Wright ventures due east from his Troon base for a stay at Macdonald Hotels' Cardrona resort in the Borders near Peebles

- Andy Wright

When people think of golf in Scotland, it's only natural for places like St Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Troon and Turnberry to spring to mind. It is the Home of Golf after all, and these gems Open fame offer golfers a chance to experience the purest form of the game in all its glory.

However, to assume that is all the country has to offer would be W to do a disservice to the myriad of brilliant inland options that pack a different, but no less worthy, punch. One such delight can be found in the Scottish Borders at Cardrona.

There's a great golfing and outdoors getaway to be had in this village, which is the first new community settlement in the area since the 18th century. Located on the banks of the River Tweed, you're surrounded by nature at this Macdonald Hotels Group destination. As such, the golfing experience has the potential to impress, and it doesn't disappoint.

A course to stir the senses

Being Scottish, I had heard of the golf course at Cardrona prior to my visit, so I was intrigued to find out what it had to offer. This Dave Thomas-designed par-72 layout, which opened in 2001, can play a shade over 7,000 yards, but there are plenty of tee options to suit players of every level.