THE HIGHLANDS

Some people come to Scotland on multiple trips without ever making it to the The Highlands. They are missing out on some of the most authentic and enjoyable golf in the land. As you drive up the A9 from Edinburgh or Glasgow airport you will travel through some spectacular scenery and feel the real rawness and sense of adventure that typifies the Scottish Highlands.

It is less than a four hour drive from Edinburgh or Glasgow, and there are some lovely inland courses to see on the way. Inverness is a great spot to base yourself to enjoy the delights that this area has to offer. It may be a little further away than some of the more obvious Scottish regions for golf, but you will be richly rewarded for your efforts.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

There can be no question that Royal Dornoch (ranked 12 in the world) is one of the very best courses anywhere and some would make the pilgrimage here just to play it. But rather than rushing in and out it is absolutely worth staying for a few days to play the Highland gems of Brora, Golspie, Tain and Fortrose & Rosemarkie. Any Scotsman will tell you they are ‘must-plays’, but some from overseas never discover them. Throw in Scottish Open host course, Castle Stuart (77 in the world) and Walker Cup host, Nairn, and you have a truly fantastic line-up for one of the most memorable trips in Scotland.

  • Royal Dornoch

    Royal Dornoch

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 12
    OUTPOST CLUB WORLD RANKING - 12
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 3

    Royal Dornoch checks all of the boxes - beautiful, strategic, and fun. It starts on high ground bordering the town and makes its way out towards Dornoch Firth before heading along the beach and returning to the town on the upper plateau. Here you’ll find some of the most exciting shots anywhere in the world. The greens are brilliantly designed with run-offs that punish poorly struck shots, or even those that are well-struck but played from out of position locations on the generous fairways.

  • Castle Stuart

    Castle Stuart

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 77
    OUTPOST CLUB WORLD RANKING - 96
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 30

    There’s more than a little bit of pressure if one is going to build a modern links course in Scotland. Luckily for us, Gil Hanse was up to the challenge. The wonderful, seaside land is accentuated by a course that’s teeming with strategic options. While the fairways may be wide – and when the wind is blowing, you’ll need it – there is a distinct advantage for placing your drive in certain positions by challenging the hazards. A fine addition to the links landscape of Scotland.

  • nairn

    NAIRN

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 57
    TOP100GOLFCOURSES.COM GB & I RANKING - 55
    GOLF WORLD GB & I RANKING - 70

    Nairn really burst onto the international scene when it hosted the Walker Cup in 1999. The links course dates from 1887 and Archie Simpson, Old Tom Morris, James Braid and Ben Sayers all had a hand in the design. In recent years, the architecture firm of Mackenzie and Ebert have worked on this course which is always presented in immaculate condition. With tricky greens and cunningly angled short holes, Nairn will challenge the mettle of any golfer.

  • brora

    brora

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 63
    GOLF WORLD (UK) GB & I RANKING - 77

    Only half an hour away from Dornoch you will find the delight that is Brora. In recent years, more people have been discovering this wonderful old-school links course which was Scotland’s best-kept secret. The course is an out-and-back links with many holes right on the water. Expect to find sheep tending the fairways and electric fences around the greens to keep the livestock away. Brora will deliver memories to last a lifetime.

  • Golspie

    GOLSPIE

    GOLF WORLD (UK) SCOTLAND RANKING - 55

    Golspie is a near neighbour to Brora, just a 10 minute drive away. It’s an unusual golf course in that you will find a combination of classic links, rolling heathland and even a touch of parkland all in the same 18 holes. It has breathtaking views over the water and to the mountains behind. Like so many courses in this part of the world the conditioning is always good, taking advantage of the micro-climate in the area. To truly do The Highlands, you have to get to Golspie!

  • moray (old)

    Moray (Old)

    GOLF WORLD (UK) SCOTLAND RANKING - 39

    The Old Course at Moray (known as ‘Lossie’ to locals) was laid out by Old Tom Morris and, as usual, he did a great job! No earth was moved, no dunes created. Old Tom simply found the best spots for tee boxes and greens and mowed between them. The effect is one of the most ‘natural’ feeling links courses you will play. The course starts and ends in the town of Lossiemouth and has a lovely feeling of a locals’ club which warmly welcomes visitors. More should come to discover this gem.

WHERE TO STAY

The city of Inverness is an obvious place to stay while in the Highlands. It’s an easy drive from there to Castle Stuart, Nairn and Lossiemouth to the east, or Dornoch, Brora and Golspie to the north. However, you may also consider a few days in Dornoch where you will find some good accommodation options.

  • NESS WALK

    Nestled on the leafy banks of the River Ness, lies Ness Walk. A 5-star retreat hotel in Inverness, just 10 minutes from Loch Ness.

  • Links House

    5-star, award-winning, luxury accommodation and fine dining with charm, grace and elegance located adjacent to the 1st tee at Royal Dornoch Golf Club

  • ROYAL GOLF APARTMENTS

    If you are looking for something a little different then these apartments in Dornoch give you a bit more space than a hotel as well as a great location.

 SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 1

We will meet at Edinburgh airport and transfer you to your hire car or private vehicle with driver.

Take a truly picturesque drive to the north through the lower Highlands of Scotland to the picturesque village of Boat of Garten for a classic first round of Highland Golf.

Following the round, you will make the hour drive north to the Ness Walk Hotel in Inverness.

Nestled on the leafy banks of the River Ness, Ness Walk is a 5-star retreat, just 10 minutes from Loch Ness. Originally a 19th century house, the lovingly restored, Grade B listed building still retains many of its period features, but unified with modern design and architecture.

The Ness Hotel has a great restaurant and bar and is a great opening base.

DAY 2

After breakfast, make the forty minute drive to Nairn Golf Club - host to the Walker Cup and many other prestigious British amateur golf events. If you fancy a 36 hole day then you can combine Nairn with a trip to the Old Course at Moray in Lossiemouth. It’s an Old Tom Morris links course which just sits on the landscape perfectly. Return to Inverness for a night out in one of the pubs, with traditional music.

DAY 3

After breakfast it’s a short drive to Castle Stuart for 36 holes of just wonderful golf. Many believe Castle Stuart is the best modern links in the land. The course has a beautiful setting along the Moray Firth, and Gil Hanse's design makes the most of it with frequent, spectacular infinity greens.

The course has hosted the Scottish Open on multiple occasions and won plaudits from many of the leading golfers in the world. There's plenty of width from the tee, but more than brute strength will be required to score well. It's a modern masterpiece!

DAY 4

Take the short drive north to The Black Isle. First stop is the wonderful Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club. This is one of the most delightful golf courses in the Highlands of Scotland. It's not long, it won't punish you, but it will ensure that you come away with a smile on your face and a spring in your step.

The two villages of Fortrose and Rosemarkie lie either side of a small, slither of a peninsula that juts into the Moray Firth. The peninsula is pretty much used for one thing - golf. Golf has been played here since 1702 and a golfing society was founded in 1793. The club was formed in 1888, making it the 15th oldest golf club in the world.

After the round we will make the short drive to Dornoch and check into the wonderful Links House for the next three nights.

DAY 5

You will discover Brora and Golspie today. Brora may be famed for using sheep to tend the ground, but that's not all it has to offer. With rolling, undulating fairways and greens carved into dunes by the beach, Brora is truly an assault on your senses. This may be the archetypal Highland course and it never fails to stir the heart. Just watch out for the electric fences around the greens!

With a design influenced by the great James Braid, Golspie embodies the true spirit of Scottish golf. It's a mixture of links and heathland, with breathtaking views to both sea and mountains. Never crazily punishing, but always in excellent condition, Golspie is a delight for golfers of all abilities.

Enjoy the fabulous hospitality of Links House tonight - maybe a whisky tasting is in order to get the full Highland experience!

DAY 6

The golf goes up yet another notch with a visit to Royal Dornoch. Dornoch is without doubt one of the world’s very best courses and one that all golfers should experience at least once in their lives. The green complexes are exemplary, miss a green in the wrong place and and up and down would be the stuff of dreams! This is a beautiful, stunning, strategic course - were it in a more accessible location it would be a shoe-in for a place on The Open rota!

DAY 7

As you head back south, why not stop at Gleneagles to play the King’s or Queen’s course. Both have hosted prestigious professional events and Gleneagles is a magnificent setting for a final round.

After the round either stay in Gleneagles for a final night or explore the wonderful city of Edinburgh.

This is just a sample of a Highlands golf tour. We would be delighted to put together the perfect trip for you. Just Contact Us now to start building your perfect golf Scottish golf vacation.

BACK TO SCOTLAND