Events in 2013: British Open Golf Tournament in Scotland

What could be more Scottish than donning your best tartan pants and heading out for a spot of golf? Perhaps standing course-side to watch the British Open, a golf tournament so prestigious, it is known simply as The Open. Established in 1860, it is the oldest of the major golf championships and the only one held outside of the United States. Always played during the third Friday of July, the British Open Golf Tournament will be held from July 18^th to 21^st this year at Muirfield in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The original prize for winning The Open Championship was actually a red leather belt with a silver buckle, The Challenge Belt. Nowadays however, players compete to hold the Claret Jug, otherwise known as the Golf Champion Trophy, which has been awarded to the winner of The Open since 1873.

Walking on Prestigious Ground

Several golf courses have hosted the British Open in both Scotland and England. Prestigious venues including the Home of Golf, the Old Course at St Andrews and Royal St George’s Golf Club are part of the rotation of nine courses. This year, this premier golf tournament will be held at Muirfield, which last hosted the Open in 2002. Here, 156 players will battle it out to win this golf grand slam, an event not to be missed.

Centuries of History

Summer is also the best time to visit Scotland, steeped in history with castles and rolling green hills, it is everything you imagine it to be. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, and is considered to be of such historical importance that most of the city is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dominating the skyline is Edinburgh Castle, which is believed to have been used as a fortress and seat of power for over a thousand years. This site has withstood many battles and continues to stand strong. You can visit the castle while you are in Edinburgh for The Open, but you may want to leave yourself an extra day after the tournament to do it justice.

To make sure you are close to the action, there are several options available for you to stay near Muirfield. For five star luxuries, there is the recently refurbished Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa that also has spectacular views over the castle. If you are on a more modest budget, try the Edinburgh Leith Premier Inn, which has comfortable rooms and a great family restaurant on site. You can also rent a house near the course, with several options available on The Open’s accommodation website.

The easiest way to get to the course from Edinburgh is by car, with public Park and Ride car parks located around the town, and shuttle buses on hand to transfer you to The Open Championship. ScotRail has also arranged to make train travel to the course easy, with a special ticket called GolfLink. This takes you by train to Drem station and then provides an inclusive shuttle bus to the course. If you are doing it in style, then you can also fly into The Open by helicopter, with the helipad only a short walk away from the course.

No matter how you choose to get to the course, don’t miss out on the history and prestige that this world famous golf tournament and historic city have to offer. Feel like a spot of golf? Book flights to Edinburgh only on MakeMyTrip.com.