Wimbledon 2023: Scotland's luxury hotels with tennis courts and lessons

For when you want a game, set and match on the summer holidays

View of the tennis court from Cromlix bedroom Pic: Caroline Briggs

It’s not long until we hear the familiar popping and grunting sounds of Wimbledon on the telly.

The 136th edition of the tennis championship will run from July 3-16.

If you’re inspired to take up the sport this summer, or you’re already a player, here are our favourite Scottish hotels with tennis courts and/or lessons.

Atholl Palace

You might think that spas and restaurants have taken over, as far as holiday appeal goes, but we think guests still enjoy a match. In fact, some destinations have extended their offering to the more accessible sports of Pickleball and Padel.

Popping and grunting is optional.

Cromlix

Pack your whites, as it would be sacrilege to visit Andy Murray and Kim Sears’ Dunblane five-star hotel and not play a spot of tennis. Their full-sized outdoor court is beside the hotel, and surrounded by tall fir trees, so only the birds can laugh at any beginner’s attempts. Take a lesson with their professional, Daniel Alexander Reed, who formerly worked at the National Tennis Centre in London. They offer private, group, or kids sessions, and also have a smaller Pickleball court. For those who are not au fait with the US game, it’s a lighter racket sport. Judy Murray also hosts the occasional tennis and Pickleball clinic and these are advertised on the Cromlix social media channels, though they sell out faster than a lob shot.

Atholl Palace tennis courts

Kinbuck, by Dunblane, Stirlingshire (01786 820310, www.cromlix.co.uk)

Crieff Hydro

Tennis might seem a bit vanilla when you see that this four-star and very family-friendly hotel offers alpaca trekking, treetop zip-line adventures, archery and axe throwing, though no alpaca throwing, sadly. They offer court hire to day guests or residents, and it’s just a fiver, so you can volley away to your heart's content. You’ll be like Novak Djokovic in no time. We wonder if he’s ever tried alpaca throwing?

Strathearn House, Ferntower Road, Crieff (01764 655 555, www.crieffhydro.com)

Mortons fof Pitmilly indoor court Pic: Kevin S Kirk

Gleneagles

Gleneagles has five outdoor and Great Gatsby-esque manicured tennis courts, which are sandwiched between the hotel and the birds of prey residence. We hope that they’re training one of their kestrels to grab a tennis ball mid-air, though that’s highly unlikely. They also offer hour-long tennis lessons to suit all levels, for private lessons or groups of up to four, or 45 minute sessions for kids aged five to eight. There’s also two new padel courts, which are 25 per cent smaller than the tennis ones. If you haven’t heard of this racket sport, it’s a tennis and squash hybrid, which originated in Mexico.

Auchterarder (01764 662231, www.gleneagles.com)

Atholl Palace

Glenapp Castle

Don’t get too distracted by their spa and forget about the tennis, as Scotland’s oldest tournament, the Highland Tennis Championship, has taken place at this location since 1896. Their pair of courts are overlooked by the Victorian hotel, and can be used by guests. Just pay a small deposit in return for rackets and balls. They offer lessons for all levels and these are also taken by Cromlix’s coach, Daniel Alexander Reed. As well as the rooms in the hotel, you can also stay in a selection of self-catering cottages, lodges and apartments.

Perth Road, Pitlochry (01796 472400, www.athollpalace.com)

Glenapp Castle

This five-star hotel has one of the prettiest courts, since it’s surrounded by lush mature trees and is just beside the castle. Guests can have a knock around for free, with equipment and an automated ball machine available, or book a lesson. Though it seems sad to ever leave the luxurious property, even just for an hour or two, there are loads of other activities available, from foraging to yoga, curling, a Hebridean sea safari, canoeing, coasteering and paddle boarding. It’s exhausting just to read that list.

Ballantrae, Ayrshire (01465 831 212, www.glenappcastle.com)

Morton of Pitmilly

This isn’t a hotel, but a self-catering resort, with ten four-star cottages and six five-star ones with sea views. There’s also an indoor pool, gym and play park, plus 150 acres to explore. If you don’t want to get struck by lightning during a rally, they have a huge indoor tennis court, as well as outdoor ones. The managing director of the destination is Eilidh Smith, who is a semi-professional tennis player and qualified coach. You’re safe in her hands, or those of one of their other teachers.

Kingsbarns, St Andrews (01334 880466, www.pitmilly.co.uk)

Greywalls

You might not intend to visit this hotel to vegetate, but you’ll probably end up doing so anyway. It’s just that the scones are so massive, as are the sofas in the living room of this Arts and Crafts style house, built in 1901 and designed by Sir Edward Lutyens. Also, there’s the Chez Roux restaurant, where dishes include seared rump of Scotch lamb, wild asparagus, salt baked celeriac, braised baby gem and broad bean and feta compote. Of course, as it’s on the doorstep of Muirfield club, this is the ideal retreat for golfers, but they also have a lovely tennis court, so you can burn off dinner with 57 over-enthusiastic serves.

Muirfield, Gullane (01620 842144, www.greywalls.co.uk)

Golf View Hotel

The breeze that comes off the Moray Firth is rather nice when you’re a guest or member who’s working up a sweat on the large outdoor court at this four-star hotel, which also boasts the Coast Spa and Hickory Restaurant. Their resident tennis coach is Carl Gavine, who has international experience, including working at training camps for the Association of Tennis Professionals and teaching wheelchair tennis. He offers private, group, adult, junior and round robin double sessions.

63 Seabank Road, Nairn (01667 452301, www.crerarhotels.com)