Highlands Golf Courses

Experience Brora Golf Course: A Hidden Gem Near Royal Dornoch

Located just 16 miles north of Royal Dornoch, Brora Golf Course offers an unforgettable golfing experience in the stunning Scottish Highlands. Nestled along the coast, Brora is one of the few courses where almost every hole is played with breathtaking views of the sea. As the most northerly design by legendary architect James Braid, Brora is a must-visit for golfers who appreciate both history and challenging links play.

Brora is consistently praised by those who make the pilgrimage, and it deserves a spot on every golf itinerary in Scotland. If you’re planning a trip to play Royal Dornoch, be sure to include Brora – it’s the perfect addition for any golf enthusiast looking to explore the best courses in the Highlands.

Challenging Play at Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club: Don’t Let the Yardage Fool You

At just under 5,900 yards, this Scottish golf course may seem modest in length, but visiting golfers should not be deceived. Situated on the narrow Chanonry Point peninsula, which guards the entrance to the Moray Firth, this course is anything but easy. Its exposed coastal location brings unpredictable winds into play, while small greens, strategically placed bunkers, and several daunting blind shots make for a challenging and rewarding round.

Golfers will need both precision and strategy to navigate this well-defended gem, proving that shorter yardage doesn’t mean a less demanding experience.

Castle Stuart Golf Links: A Modern Classic on the Moray Firth

Just east of Inverness, you’ll find Castle Stuart Golf Links, a relatively young course that has already made its mark by hosting the Scottish Open four times in its ten-year history. Set along a stunning stretch of coastline, several of the most memorable holes are played right beside the water’s edge.

With breathtaking views across the Moray Firth – from Chanonry Point in the east, to The Black Isle in the north, and westward towards the Kessock Bridge and distant mountains – Castle Stuart offers an exhilarating backdrop for any round of golf. Designed to be enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels, it has quickly become one of the must-play courses in Scotland.

Royal Dornoch Golf Club: A Northern Masterpiece

Just an hour’s drive north of the Highland capital, Inverness, lies the renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club, home to two exceptional courses – Championship and Struie. The Championship course earned the prestigious ranking of second place in Golf Digest’s 2018 World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, a testament to its remarkable design and natural beauty. There’s no other course on earth with a more organic, natural layout than this extraordinary northern links. With a collection of unique golf holes flowing over immaculate playing surfaces, Royal Dornoch provides a truly unforgettable experience for golfers.

The Championship and Struie Courses: Golf in Its Purest Form

Golfers on the Championship course are treated to 18 holes, each rich in character and challenge, leaving lasting memories long after the round is over. Known for its raised or sloping greens and elevated tees, the course presents targets that are visible but rarely easy to reach.

Meanwhile, the Struie course offers its own test of skill, with smaller greens and narrower fairways compared to the Championship. Accurate drives to the right side of the fairways reward golfers with easier approaches to the greens. Whether playing the Championship or Struie, this is Scottish golf in its purest form, combining precision and strategy in a breathtaking setting.

Nairn Golf Club: A Stunning Seaside Links on the Moray Firth

Located further along the Moray Firth from Castle Stuart, Nairn Golf Club is celebrated as one of the most spectacular seaside courses in Scotland, with breathtaking sea views from every hole. During the summer, the fast-running fairways, covered in humps and hollows, challenge even the most patient golfers, as the odd cruel bounce can test your resilience. Framed by gorse bushes and heather on many holes, Nairn’s delightful links place added pressure on every tee shot.

The greens at Nairn are known for their tricky placements, often well-guarded by bunkers or natural hazards, and all of them are fast and true—a signature of the course. Founded in 1887, Nairn Golf Club is now regarded as one of the best golf courses in Scotland, having hosted prestigious events such as The Walker Cup and The Curtis Cup.

Boat of Garten Golf Club: A Scenic Challenge in The Cairngorms

Established in 1898 and upgraded to 18 holes in 1930 under the expert design of renowned Scottish architect James Braid, Boat of Garten Golf Club – affectionately known as “The Boat” – offers a unique golfing experience. Located alongside the River Spey in the heart of The Cairngorms National Park, the course boasts a stunning natural backdrop.

Despite its relatively short length, the course presents a formidable challenge with tight fairways and dramatic elevation changes. Known for its high-quality layout, Boat of Garten is a must-play for golfers seeking both beauty and difficulty in Scottish golf.

Golspie Golf Club: A Unique Blend of Links, Heathland, and Parkland

Located in a stunning spot on the Dornoch Firth, between Brora to the north and Dornoch to the south, Golspie Golf Club offers a remarkable golfing experience. Designed by the legendary James Braid, Golspie combines classic links, heathland, and parkland terrains, creating a fascinating and diverse course.

For many golfers, it’s this unique blend of landscapes that makes a round at Golspie so special. Whether you’re drawn to its natural beauty or the variety of challenges it presents, Golspie Golf Club is a hidden gem in Scottish golf.

Tain Golf Club

A classic Old Tom Morris Highland creation, Tain Golf Club enjoys superb panoramic views across the Dornoch Firth and features a combination of links and heathland. Demanding accurate tee shots carries over heather and gorse to crumpled fairways composed of crisp turf and on to firm, fast undulating greens. Tain is a golf course of fascinating history, great beauty and a lasting demanding challenge.

Carnegie Golf Links

A stunning setting; a stunning golf course. The modern fully upgraded Carnegie Links , part of the very private Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle Estate now extends to 6,800 yds but is always set up to be great fun as well as a fair and challenging test. The course itself is always maintained to an immaculate condition. This really is a very special place. As Mr Andrew Carnegie himself would say “Heaven on Earth“.

Moray Golf Club

Enjoying a fine location on the southern shore of the Moray Firth and neighbouring RAF Lossiemouth, Moray Golf Club boasts two fine courses; the original one Old Moray was laid out by Old Tom Morris and is recognised as one of the best traditional links courses in Scotland. Moray has played host to many national championships as this fine 6,700 yds par 71 links provides a stern challenge to even the best players.

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