It isn’t every day that a global pop star turns a quiet Scottish city into the center of the celebrity universe, but that’s exactly what happened when Justin Bieber descended upon Dundee, St Andrews, and Gleneagles last week. The Canadian superstar, famous for hits like “Sorry” and “Baby,” made headlines and delighted locals as he was spotted embracing the Scottish lifestyle—dancing in pubs, braving stormy golf courses, and even treating staff at a luxury hotel to a surprise concert.
Bieber’s Scottish adventure began on Thursday, October 2, 2025, when he touched down at Dundee Airport. According to The Scotsman, his visit coincided with the prestigious Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews, a tournament that draws celebrities and golf aficionados from around the world. But it wasn’t just the golf that had people talking—it was the singer’s willingness to immerse himself in local culture and connect with everyday Scots in unexpected ways.
By Saturday night, October 4, Dundee’s Whitehall Crescent was buzzing with excitement. The pop icon, dressed down in a green beanie and an oversized hooded top, was seen at Abandon Ship, a lively local bar. As reported by The Mirror, Bieber was without his wife, Hailey, and seemed perfectly content to blend in, buying pints of beer, sitting quietly in a corner using his phone, and—most memorably—dancing with fans. Several TikTok videos captured the surreal scene: Bieber, surrounded by delighted locals, moving to the music and sharing laughs. One video, posted by Chelsey McQuillan, quickly went viral. Her caption summed up the mood: “Spending my Saturday night with Justin Bieber in Dundee was not on my 2025 bingo card.”
Reactions from Dundee residents poured in online. One parent shared, “He asked my daughter what her name was, then she asked his name. He couldn’t stop laughing.” Another local commented, “How did you get an invite? I missed him where I live in St Andrews, but I’m so proud of my town. He’s been able to be himself, not hounded and harassed like he usually is. We see a lot of celebs and athletes here—they can be normal people.”
McQuillan herself responded to fans’ questions with a revealing insight: “The door opened, and I took my chance. His security let me in. He was genuinely just vibing and talking with people, asking about us rather than talking about himself all the time. He is a very genuine person.” Other social media users echoed the sentiment, with one noting, “There is something too precious about seeing him just living his life and enjoying some normality.” Another added, “Pure vibes treating him like he’s on a normal night out. Bet he loved this.”
But Bieber’s presence in Dundee wasn’t just about having a good time. The night at Abandon Ship doubled as a location for his latest music video. According to The Mirror and The Scotsman, Bieber and his photographer, Rory Kramer, filmed the video for his new song “Bad Honey” entirely at the bar. The spontaneous shoot, with its backdrop of genuine local revelry, added an authentic flavor to the project—and undoubtedly gave the song’s visuals a uniquely Scottish twist.
The pop star’s Scottish escapade didn’t end in Dundee. Over the next several days, Bieber was spotted at some of the country’s most iconic spots. In St Andrews, he braved the infamous Scottish weather—including 50 mph winds whipped up by Storm Amy—to play a round at the renowned Castle Course. Donning a branded Saltire hat, he posed for photos with friends and, in a nod to local tradition, snapped a picture outside Cromars Fish and Chip shop on Market Street, proudly holding a bottle of Innis & Gunn, a beloved Scottish beer.
Social media lit up with images of Bieber enjoying his time in St Andrews. One particularly striking photo showed him beneath a glowing sunset, wooly hat on his head, bottle in hand—a scene that many fans described as “pure vibes.” As one commenter put it, “His Instagram pictures just show how much he loved this night. It must be so rare for him to feel like a normal human.”
If that wasn’t enough, Bieber also checked into Gleneagles, the storied luxury hotel and golf resort in Auchterarder. According to The Scotsman, the resort is no stranger to celebrity guests, but Bieber made his stay memorable by not only enjoying the world-class golf and dining at The Strathearn and Garden Cafe, but also by giving back to the staff. In a moment that staffers won’t soon forget, he performed a private concert, singing “Walking Away” from his recent album Swag. One staff member remarked, “It was surreal—he just sat at the piano and started playing. It felt like a dream.”
Bieber’s Scottish journey was well documented on his own social media accounts, with posts highlighting everything from his golf outings to his culinary adventures. Fans around the world followed along, marveling at the pop star’s apparent ease and happiness. “He looks like he’s having such a good time,” one fan wrote. “I’m so happy he can just exist in Scotland.”
What made this visit stand out, beyond the star power and surprise appearances, was Bieber’s willingness to step out of the spotlight and simply be present. Whether he was chatting with locals in a Dundee bar, braving the elements for a round of golf, or sharing an intimate musical moment with hotel staff, Bieber seemed genuinely invested in experiencing Scotland as more than just a celebrity passing through. As one local observed, “We see a lot of celebs and athletes here—they can be normal people.”
The whirlwind trip wrapped up with Bieber sharing a series of Instagram posts reflecting on his time in Scotland. The images—full of laughter, camaraderie, and unmistakable Scottish charm—captured the spirit of a visit that, for a few unforgettable days, brought a superstar down to earth. For Dundee, St Andrews, and Gleneagles, it was a week when the ordinary became extraordinary, and when Justin Bieber, for a moment, was just another face in the crowd—albeit one with a very famous voice.
