Eilean Donan Castle on its tidal island, linked to the shore by a stone bridge

Winter

Golf in Scotland in December

The shortest days, festive Edinburgh, and Hogmanay to see in the new year.

Eilean Donan, Loch Duich

December has the shortest days of the year, with the sun setting mid-afternoon. Golf is possible on the coast on still, dry days, but it is not the month for a golf-focused trip.

It is, however, a wonderful time for Edinburgh: Christmas markets, historic hotels at their most festive, and Hogmanay, one of the world's great new year celebrations.

Daylight in December

On 15 December, in UK local time. The latest start allows about four hours to finish 18 holes before sunset.

Sunrise, sunset and daylight on 15 December
Place	Sunrise	Sunset	Daylight	Latest 18-hole start
St Andrews	08:38	15:33	6 hr 55 min	11:33
Troon	08:40	15:46	7 hr 06 min	11:46
Dornoch	08:54	15:27	6 hr 33 min	11:27

How late can you tee off?

Choose a course and a date to see sunrise, sunset and the latest start that should let you finish 18 holes in daylight, allowing about 4 hours for a round on foot.

CourseDate

Sunrise: –
Sunset: –
Daylight: –
Latest 18-hole start: –

Typical weather

Long-term averages for December on Scotland’s three main golf coasts. Averages smooth out a great deal: expect the odd glorious day and the odd wild one, sometimes within the same round.

Average climate in December, 1991–2020
Coast	Average high	Average low	Rainfall	Sunshine
St Andrews, Fife and the east coastLeuchars weather station	7°C	0.9°C	63 mm	52 hrs
Glasgow and the Ayrshire coastPaisley weather station	6.8°C	1.5°C	136 mm	35 hrs
The Highlands and the Moray FirthNairn weather station	6.8°C	0.5°C	58 mm	36 hrs

Monthly averages for 1991–2020 from Met Office station records. The Paisley and Nairn stations closed during this period, so their averages cover roughly twenty years. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Average sunshine by month, east coast

Hours of bright sunshine per month at Leuchars, beside St Andrews (1991–2020)

100

150

200

Plan your routePick your courses and see the best order, drive times and where to stay.Playing the Old CourseHow the ballot, advance times and Sunday closures work.

Thinking of December?

Tell us your dates and the courses you have in mind. We will advise honestly on what is realistic and design the journey around it.

Begin Planning Your Journey