King James VI Golf Club is a distinctive riverside venue located on Moncreiffe Island, within the city of Perth, Scotland. Originally established in 1858 at Perth’s North Inch, the club relocated to the island in 1897, and has welcomed both members and visitors ever since. Designed by the legendary Old Tom Morris - famed four-time British Open champion - the course offers a unique blend of natural landscape, strategic bunkering, and golfing tradition. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the River Tay, and accessible via a footpath alongside the train bridge, the club combines its historical roots with a warm, inclusive atmosphere, making it a celebrated destination for golfers seeking a memorable experience in the heart of Scotland.
History: King James VI Golf Club traces its roots back to 1858 at Perth’s North Inch, but moved to its current island site on the River Tay in 1897. The relocation brought a purpose built design by Old Tom Morris, who integrated natural features like walls, burns, heather and mounds into the course, enhancing both its challenge and its aesthetic appeal. Despite the destruction of the original wooden clubhouse by fire in March 1955, along with many trophies and records, the club persevered and rebuilt on the same site. Over the decades, notable members such as amateur champion Brian Grieve have enriched the club’s legacy, but it remains grounded in its historic island origins and commitment to golfing excellence.
The Course: Situated uniquely on Moncreiffe Island, and accessed via a walkway beside the railway bridge, King James VI Golf Club offers one of only two such inland island courses to be found worldwide. Old Tom Morris’s original 1897 design leveraged the island’s natural terrain, using burns, heather, existing walls, and mounds to deliver a test that rewards strategic thinking and skilled shot-making. In recent years, the club introduced a burn that weaves through holes nine to twelve, bringing the scenic River Tay into play and enhancing the course’s difficulty and visual allure. Today’s layout offers variety and excitement, while maintaining a strong link to classic golfing tradition. The course at King James VI Golf Club is an eighteen hole, par 68/70 (men) & par 73 (women) track. It has tees ranging from 5,491 to 6,038 yards.
SGB Signature Hole: Name: Rashes. Number: Hole 9. Measuring 407 yards (W) and 433 yards (M) from the tee, this long par 4 hole is a fantastic left to right dog-leg. A good drive may present an opportunity to take on the green with your second shot, on this risk risk and reward hole, but with a ditch running across the fairway, just short of the putting surface, this will be out of range for most. Laying up short of the ditch leaves a straightforward approach, that always plays a little bit longer than it looks. A brilliant challenge, that always needs to be thought through.
Clubhouse & Practice facilities: Following the destruction of the original clubhouse by fire in 1955, a new clubhouse was built on the same riverside site, continuing the club’s long tradition. Today, the clubhouse provides a welcoming retreat for golfers, with locker rooms, lounge areas, and social space overlooking the water. Visitors are most welcome to access these facilities. The clubhouse supports both members and visitors, hosting the professional shop where they’ll look after your booking and also provide all of the essentials necessary to get you performing at your best - like balls, gloves, tees, etc. Buggy, club and trolly hire options are all available at the club’s pro shop too. The clubhouse’s picturesque setting beside the River Tay enhances the social atmosphere, offering a perfect spot to unwind after a round and connect with fellow players. Practice facilities: King James VI Golf Club offer the use of their practice facilities to visiting golfers, before and after a round. These facilities include practice nets, a putting green and a chipping area.
Food & Dining: King James VI Bar & Kitchen offers food and dining options tailored for golfers. Detailed menus are available on request or via the club’s website. Visitors can enjoy a drink or meal before or after their round in a scenic setting overlooking the course and River Tay. The Bar & Kitchen place an emphasis on providing locally sourced fare and offering warm hospitality in a relaxed clubhouse atmosphere. Its catering services also extend to visitor bookings through online systems, ensuring a smooth experience for day guests. While specifics on dishes aren’t provided, the focus on quality and comfort aligns with the club’s warm, inclusive ethos. (Scottish Golf Breaks will be delighted to organise dining options at the clubhouse, on your behalf.)
Accommodation: We partner with a number of hotels and letting agents across Perth, Perthshire and Kinross. Whether you want to stay on a country estate, in a hotel, a luxury lodge, an apartment or a signature villa, Scottish Golf Breaks can arrange it for you.
Typical Packages include:
- Accommodation in guest rooms or luxury suites at Murrayshall or Mercure Perth
- A round or Day ticket at King James VI
- A round on the Murrayshall Course
- Dinner Reservation @ The clubhouse Bar & Kitchen or Eòlas or Cairns Bar & Grill
- Reservations for outdoor pursuits @ Murrayshall
- Full Scottish Breakfast
- Use of resort facilities
Packages can be designed to your specification and group size, and can include alternative accommodation, additional courses across Perth, Perthshire and Kinross, and or other regions within Scotland.
Additional services:
- Airport or train station transfers (all sizes of groups catered for)
- Executive travel
- Caddie service
