The story behind this 800-acre parcel of land on the rugged Ayrshire coastline is in fact as old as the nation itself, so it should come as no surprise that the heritage and hospitality preserved at the Westin Turnberry Resort is true to its earliest Scottish roots. Just up the hill from what Colin Montgomerie has deemed ‘the finest links golf course in the world’ is Turnberry Castle, where in 1274 was born Robert the Bruce, whose defeat of Edward II’s army at Bannockburn in 1314 ensured freedom for the Scots. That tangible spirit, of man and nation and soil, comes alive at Turnberry, a resort that has, as an early 100th anniversary present, treated itself to a world-class facelift. Westin’s purchase of Turnberry in 1997 prompted the $21-million investment programme by Starwood Resorts, the results of which have now placed Turnberry among an elite handful of the best golf resorts on the planet.

Cast a fly line into the local loch and pull out a breakfast of fresh trout. Test your skill and nerve on the 4x4 racing course, or nurse your sore muscles and chattered bones with a hydrotherapy treatment at the world-renowned Spa at Turnberry. Take a course in falconry, clay target shooting, or archery. The spirit of Scotland flourishes here, striking the fine balances between tradition and modernity, style and comfort.

The serenity and symmetry of the experience is most simply exemplified in the sound, fortified Tudor-style architecture on display at the main hotel and the resembling cottage accommodations that dot the property. 221 bedrooms are available at the five-star resort, which includes 132 suites in the main hotel, nine two-bedroom cottages, and 12 six- to eight-bedroom lodges, all of which offer the same world-class amenities offered in the main hotel, but with an added element of privacy. The flexibility of accommodations at Turnberry is assurance that all guests and groups, large and small, will receive a lodging arrangement that caters to their needs. Rooms and guestrooms are decorated in the lavish colours and ornate furnishings one would expect at a regal European estate, and each Lodge has its own lounge and dining area, where old friends and older family can convene in celebration. With stunning views of the estate property and the Irish sea and coastline, each bedroom at Turnberry offers its guests vistas ripe for pause and reflection.

Under the direction of executive chef Colin Watson, the three main restaurants at Turnberry Resort offer guests some of the finest international cuisine and authentic Scottish delicacies in the country. The Turnberry Restaurant in fact carries such a reputation, where jacket and tie is urged though not required, and the wine list would be the envy of almost any sommelier. Appetizers like roast squab pigeon on blue cheese-creamed young leeks and a beetroot-cured twist on Scottish smoked salmon, the local delicacy, tempt the palate for the main dish. Local seafoods like steamed turbot and lemon sole with mussels and shore clams offer a fine contrast to heartier dishes inspired by the land, such as confit of Aylesbury duck or a roast artichoke dish accented by truffle cheddar gnocchi and porcini cream. Puddings, cheeses, and after-dinner ports and pudding wines bring proper closure to these evenings.

For lighter fare at the Westin Turnberry, turn to the Terrace Brasserie, a Mediterranean-style restaurant located above the Turnberry Spa that puts particular emphasis on health-conscious meals. Enjoy an appetizer of king sea scallops skewered with lemongrass or a Caesar salad with smoked duck, and then dine on red pepper risotto with grilled goat cheese or grilled sea bass with a tarragon mariner emulsion. For a quick bite to eat, stop in at The Tappie Torrie Grill  for some traditional Scottish pub fare and a tall pint, perhaps after a thrilling yet arduous day on one of the world-class links just outside the front door. A host of pubs and lounges accompany most of the dining options, so if a drink and a moment to yourself is at the head of your list, consider the Terrace Lounge, which overlooks the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig.

When the golf has worn you down, or if your interest in the Westin Turnberry’s other outdoor activities has been piqued, wander over to the Outdoor Activity Centre, a product of the recent Starwood enhancement that has turned the 800-acre property into a veritable playground for the outdoor enthusiast. A spring-fed loch stocked with rainbow and brown trout is at the disposal of anglers, who can have their afternoon catch prepared for dinner by one of Turnberry’s chefs, or take a ghillie to some of the finest tributaries in Southwest Scotland for a day of (hopefully) successful salmon fishing. Hone your shot at clay target or game shooting, or track a stationery target with rifle practice or the elegant crossbow, on some of Turnberry’s most beautiful stretches of land. Become one with the brilliant and peerless falcon at falconry school in Turnberry’s outlying moors and fields, or race through the property grounds and uniquely designed obstacle courses in a Jeep, on a 4x4, by mountain bike, or by land yacht. If golf is a game exclusive to gentlemen, than Turnberry is surely a resort for all sportsmen.

It would seem from these facilities that often times at the Westin Turnberry, the awakening of the spirit and soul comes at the expense of the body. When the weariness sets in, head to the Spa at Turnberry, one of the finest in Europe with a 20-metre swimming pool as its centerpiece, flanked by a massive window offering a terrific view of the sea, and Ailsa Craig jutting out of the horizon. Saunas, steam rooms, and hydrotherapy aim to serve the spa’s holistic mantra of marrying body and spirit. A variety of ESPA mind, body, and face treatments are available in luxurious treatment rooms, and adjacent to the spa is one of the most comprehensive health clubs available at any resort.

Whatever your passion, the Westin Turnberry can fulfill it. World-class golf is merely the touchstone of this unparalleled resort on the Ayrshire coastline.