Scotland has long held a certain magic for me.
With its sweeping landscapes, storied history, and some of the most iconic golf courses in the world, it felt like the perfect place to bring a new series to life. For this collection, I photographed across 16 of Scotland’s most legendary golf destinations, from St. Andrews to Loch Lomond, capturing the birthplace of golf from my signature aerial perspective.
And while the final images are all about the beauty and grandeur of the landscape, the journey behind them was just as unforgettable.
Touching Down in Edinburgh
Our trip began in Edinburgh, a city that instantly charmed me with its historic architecture, cobblestone streets, and unmistakable sense of character. From the moment I arrived, I felt inspired by the contrast of old-world elegance and vibrant city energy.
I spent some time wandering through the city, taking in its rich textures and colorful streets before heading off to begin the shoot. Edinburgh set the tone perfectly. It felt classic, cinematic, and distinctly Scottish.
Taking to the Skies
As many of you know, some of my favorite photographs are made from above, and Scotland was especially spectacular from the air.
A huge part of this shoot involved photographing by helicopter, which allowed me to capture the remarkable scale and beauty of these courses in a way that simply wouldn’t be possible from the ground. Seeing the coastline, rolling greens, rugged terrain, and winding fairways from above was breathtaking.
Each flight brought a new perspective, and every course seemed to reveal its own personality from the sky.
The Birthplace of Golf
Photographing Scotland’s golf courses felt incredibly meaningful. We traveled across some of the country’s most storied destinations, including St. Andrews, Kingsbarns, Carnoustie, North Berwick, Loch Lomond, Dumbarnie Golf Links, and Turnberry.
Each course had its own distinct character. From dramatic coastal links to sweeping inland greens, no two locations felt the same. Seeing these legendary courses from above gave me an entirely new appreciation for their scale, history, and relationship to the surrounding landscape.
There is such a deep sense of tradition around golf in Scotland, and being able to photograph these iconic destinations from my signature aerial perspective made the experience even more special.
Behind the Lens
Of course, a shoot like this comes with a little adventure.
There were early mornings, plenty of time in the air, windy conditions, layers of gear, and a lot of moving pieces to coordinate. But those are often the moments that make a trip most memorable. Whether I was stepping onto a helicopter, taking in the view in full Scottish attire, or standing on a course with a golf club in hand, every part of the experience added to the story behind the collection.
It was one of those shoots that reminded me how much I love the process just as much as the final image.
More Than a Shoot
What made this trip so special was that it wasn’t only about photographing golf courses. It was about capturing the feeling of Scotland itself.
From the elegance of Edinburgh to the grandeur of the countryside, from colorful city streets to dramatic aerial views, every part of the journey contributed to the story. Scotland has a beauty that feels both timeless and transportive, and I’m so excited to share that through this collection.
I hope these photographs bring a little of that spirit into your home and perhaps even inspire your own adventure.
Cheers,
Gray