2026 Aberdeen Mythbusters Trip
In April of 2026, I executed a trip for family and friends that was focused in the Aberdeen area of Scotland. I think Aberdeen is a highly underrated destination and I wanted to produce a package that I could market to potential clients showcasing all that this area has to offer. This is the first in a series of “Mythbuster” trips that I am planning for Scotland where I am trying to break down two main myths about golfing in Scotland. The first misconception is that you have to spend $5,000 or $6,000 to do a solid golf trip to Scotland. The other thought I consider absurd is that Scotland should be considered a “once-in-a-lifetime” destination for golfers. Our group spent 6 nights at the Station Hotel in Aberdeen and had 5 rounds included in the base package: Murcar Links, Peterhead, Carnoustie, Cruden Bay, and Stonehaven. Some in the group added Royal Aberdeen, Newburgh Links, and Trump International Scotland.
Sunday, St. Andrews
My daughter, Rachel, and I met in Chicago to leave a day earlier than most of the Aberdeen Mythbusters group. Our goal was simple, to get Rachel to the Home of Golf for a day, something she had yet to experience. After landing in Aberdeen, we dropped some of our stuff off at the Station Hotel and hopped on the train to St. Andrews. We had a full day planned and got to it right away. Join the masses walking the end and start of the Old Course, photo on the Swilcan Bridge, sign up for the Old Course Singles Daily Draw, and grab some lunch at the Links Clubhouse. We then walked most of the rest of the Old Course before coming back for our tee time on the Himalayas Putting Course. After checking into our room at the Old Course Hotel and grabbing a short rest, we hit the Kohler Waters Spa. We then got cleaned up and toured the streets of St. Andrews before dinner at Tailend and dessert at Janetta’s Gelato. Nightcap at The Jigger Inn and we called it a day!
Monday, Old Course & Murcar Links
This day was one that will be tough to top anytime soon. I received a text on Sunday night saying that I was high enough on the Singles Draw for the Old Course that I should come down to the Old Pavilion early on Monday just in case. Not only did I end up getting out, but what are the odds that the one day I could play on this trip was Reverse Day on the Old Course?? Playing the Old Course backwards, along it’s original routing, with my hickory clubs was a bucket-list item that I thought would go un-checked forever. I always thought that the approach to #1 green over the burn was the most intimidating shot in golf. Not anymore. The approach in reverse was OVER the Swilcan Bridge to #17 green aka The Road Hole. Beyond intimidating with the road left and Road Hole bunker right. And I hit that sucker to 10′ with Rachel watching. A very emotional round to say the least. We finished up the round, grabbed our bags from the hotel, took a taxi to the train station, hopped a train to Aberdeen, dropped our luggage at the hotel there, and got a taxi to Murcar to make the last tee time for our group. What a day!
Tuesday, Peterhead
The Tuesday round of the Kauflin International Aberdeen trip saw the group head north from Aberdeen to Peterhead Golf Club. We were greeted very warmly by the membership at Peterhead and each group had a member come out to forecaddie. Two highlights from the Kauflin clan stood out for me. First, I got to see my brother, John, play one of the best rounds of his life, barely missing a shot all day. Second, not only was it cool to have my daughter be a part of one of these trips for the first time, but she got to play with the other two young ladies who were part of our group. Abbie Fleiner and Jessica Hahn played at Akron and Rachel got to compete against them on several occasions during her college career while playing for Central Michigan. Seeing them all playing casually in Scotland together warmed my heart!
Wednesday, Newburgh Links & Trump International
Wednesday was technically the “off” day for the Kauflin International Aberdeen group, but that didn’t stop a few golfers from adding on one or two extra rounds in the area. In the morning, a handful of us made it to Newburgh Links. After getting to know the guys there a few years ago, it was great to bring a small group to play the course finally. Then in the afternoon, 6 of us made it to Trump International Scotland. I got to introduce Rachel to two of my good friends in the industry who were very excited to meet her. Then as a foursome played the Old Course at Trump, I was able to enjoy an incredibly relaxing and beautiful afternoon with Rachel on their New Course which opened last year.
Thursday, Carnoustie
Thursday was a day that many in the Kauflin International Aberdeen group had been looking forward to for a while. On the docket was the world- famous Championship Course at Carnoustie. I had set up a Group Ticket on ScotRail prior to our arrival, so the entire group carried their golf clubs across the street from the hotel and we took the train down to Carnoustie! The team at Carnoustie had told me that they would send their sprinter van to meet us at the station to collect all of our clubs. But they held back a couple other surprises, even from me. As we exited the train, I saw four staff members lined up on the platform to greet us, along with a bagpiper on top of the bridge to welcome us with song. Unreal stuff from Carnoustie! After a terrific day under sunny skies, we ate dinner at The Rookery Restaurant before returning via coach to Aberdeen.
Friday, Cruden Bay
Friday was the first day of the Kauflin International Aberdeen trip that we were not greeted with sunny skies as we left for the golf course. A blanket of fog had rolled in and we did not see much outside of the coach on the way to Cruden Bay. Fortunately, the fog lifted enough to not only play the golf course, but also let the group see what makes Cruden Bay so special. Our foursome was Jason and Rachel Kauflin and Mike and Abbie Fleiner. The daddy/daughter day was tremendous and everyone played some great golf in our group. What a fantastic day at Cruden Bay!
Saturday, Stonehaven
Our final day of the Kauflin Invitational Aberdeen 2026 trip was chock full of amazing sights. To start the day, all of the participants involved, including the 6 non-golfing spouses who came along, took a tour of the Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven. I had seen this amazing sight once before, but had not had time to see the castle up close. What a place and what a great group photo we got! Then it was off to our final round of the trip at a place that has become very near and dear to my heart. I recently became the first international member at Stonehaven Golf Club, so I was thrilled to get to share the place with some of my closest family and friends. It was a great finale to what was a great week!
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Copyright 2026
ScottishGolfTrips.com
All Rights Reserved