The Scottish Highlands offers the most picturesque surroundings and classic courses for the thousands of golfers that visit Scotland. Cruden Bay just north of Aberdeen has some of the most breathtaking dunes in the British Isles while the testing links of Royal Dornoch will make you want to stay for more. Don’t forget the hidden links of Tain or Brora as these gems should not be missed.
Brora has stood the passing of time and remains a fair and challenging test of true links golf.
The Highlands also has some stunning mountains and stretches of coastline which you can explore as you follow the Malt Whisky Trail to the shores of Loch Ness. Some magnificent castles can be seen in the area including Castle Frazer and Dunrobin Castle. Glenmorangie Distillery is an ideal place to visit for the discerning whiskey enthusiasts while those who enjoy the outdoors will love the Falls of Shin where the salmon hurl themselves up the falls.
Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and dates back to the 1300s.
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GOLF COURSES
CRUDEN BAY: This fantastic layout has been consistently ranked as one of the British Isles Top 50 courses and has been included in the Top 100 Courses of the World rankings. A rugged links track, the course lies in the shadow of Slains Castle, inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula stories.
Cruden Bay is set against a backdrop of subtly contoured greens and magnificent panoramic views.
ROYAL ABERDEEN (Balgownie Links): Founded in 1780, Royal Aberdeen is the sixth oldest golf club in the world. Many major events have been played on the club’s Balgownie Links, which is characterized by numerous bunkers, heavy gorse and the constant weather elements. Venue for the 2005 British Senior Open. Royal Aberdeen hosted the 2011 Walker Cup Matches.
MURCAR: Adjacent to Royal Aberdeen, Murcar occupies the same outstanding links terrain. Although the undulating fairways still make the course a test of golf, Murcar is a little less demanding than its famous neighbor.
CARNEGIE LINKS: Donald Steel, the internationally renowned links architect, effected a reconstruction of Carnegie’s original course at Skibo, to provide an outstanding natural eighteen hole championship links. Situated in spectacular and wild scenery with views of Struie Hill, the course is bounded on three sides by the esturial waters of the Firth, which affords an abundance of wildlife.
With the sea on three sides Carnegie Links must have one of the finest settings in the world of golf.
NAIRN: An outstanding links course set overlooking the Moray Firth. It has been the past venue for many major golfing events including the 1999 Walker Cup Matches.
MORAY GC (Old Course): Sometimes referred to as Lossiemouth. Like St. Andrews, this links style championship course begins and ends in the center of the town. Founded in 1889 and designed by Old Tom Morris himself, it has been the venue for numerous amateur and professional tournaments.
TAIN GOLF CLUB: Overlooking the Dornoch Firth, Tain Golf Club arguably offers one of the best settings imaginable in the highlands for a round of golf . With sea on one side and the backdrop of the mountains behind, every day brings a different aspect to this Tom Morris designed challenging and beautiful links course.
BOAT OF GARTEN: Established in 1898 and designed by one of the grand-masters of golf course architecture – James Braid, “The Boat” is not only a demanding test of sporting skill but also a magnificent setting for the game. The view from the clubhouse, over the 1st and 2nd fairways and beyond, to the Cairngorm mountains – with such distinctive features as the Lairig Ghru and the northern corries of Braeriach – is incomparable, certainly within the realms of Scottish golf. This Highland grandeur, depending on the day, can inspire high achievement or, in the more common event of disappointing performance, affords the comfort and consolation of communing with nature in uniquely attractive surroundings. Popular with visitors, from both home and abroad, the course has become firmly established as a “must” for those enjoying a golfing tour of the Scottish Highlands.
BRORA GOLF CLUB: Established in 1891. Renowned golf course architect and five times British Open champion, James Braid redesigned the course in 1923. Brora Golf Club’s par 69 layout has stood the passing test of time and represents a fair and challenging test of the skills of links golf.
ROYAL DORNOCH (Championship): Clearly one of the finest courses in the world. If not for it’s somewhat remote location, this course would surely have hosted a British Open Championship. It was here that famed golf architect Donald Ross got his start.
It’s the timeless setting that makes Royal Dornoch such a pleasing place to play golf.
SELECTION OF HOTELS
First Class
ARDOE HOUSE HOTEL (pictured above), Aberdeen (First Class): The baronial splendour of Ardoe House, hidden away among thirty acres of rolling Aberdeenshire countryside, bears a distinctly familiar grace. Inspired by the royal residence at Balmoral Castle. A few miles upstream, Ardoe House is a luxurious modern hotel, beautifully crafted from an imposing 19th century mansion house. Built without modernisation, Ardoe House is a brilliant marriage of Victorian opulence and contemporary elegance. Intricately carved staircases, enormous fireplaces and rich wood panelling are the hallmarks of an hotel which offers the tired traveller and the busy business guest a tranquil retreat from the pressures of the world outside.
UDNY ARMS, Newburgh (First Class). A very quaint, charming and comfortable inn overlooking the Ythan Estuary. The family run property pleases guests with friendly and dedicated service. The bedrooms are comfortable and homely. The restaurant, offering award-winning cuisine, is a favorite of the locals and guests alike.
CLAYMORE HOUSE HOTEL, Nairn: Recently fully refurbished, the Claymore House Hotel will offer you the warmest of welcomes. Situated in a quiet residential area close to the beach, and between two championship golf courses, it has something for everyone. Renowned locally for real ale, the bar with open fires for the cooler evenings provides an excellent meeting place for that early evening aperitif, right through to an after dinner whisky. The wine list is extensive but moderately priced, complimenting the excellent traditional and continental cuisine, created from the finest Scottish local produce. The rooms are all en-suite with baths or showers and incorporate direct dial telephones, remote control color television, hair dryers, and tea and coffee making facilities.
MARCLIFFE AT PITFODELS HOTEL, Aberdeen (Deluxe): This wonderful hotel is a clever combination of old and new. Its atmosphere is luxurious, and enhances modern design with antiques and baronial detailing – the spacious new foyer has a stone flagged floor, comfortable sofas and an open fire. The hotel is set in eight acres of wooded grounds in the Deeside area of the west end of the city. There are two restaurants: the Conservatory, and the Invery Room. Menus in both are well-balanced and extensive; and the cooking is accomplished. Fresh lobster is available from May to October. 100 malt whiskies and 400 wines available.
NEWTON HOTEL (pictured above), Nairn (Superior First Class): The Newton Hotel is situated in over 20 acres of mature parkland, overlooking the Nairn Chamionship Golf Course, venue of The Walker Cup, in September 1999 and provides magnificent views over the Moray Firth and the Ross-shire Hills beyond. The hotel building is an interesting combination of Georgian and Scottish baronial styles and is furnished in a style which is in keeping with the building. The restaurant offers interesting menus which focus on best use of local produce which are treated skillfully and imaginatively by the chef. Their sister hotel, The Golf View Hotel & Leisure Club in Nairn, offers use of excellent leisure facilities to guests. A very appealing place to explore the beauty of this particular part of Scotland.
GOLF VIEW HOTEL, Nairn (Superior First Class). The Golf View Hotel and Leisure Club boasts 48 lovely rooms, including many with sea views and all the facilities expected from an AA 4-star hotel. The Leisure Club incorporates pool, spa, sauna, sunbed, steamroom and Nautilus Fitness Center. The hotel’s acclaimed restaurant is renowned for serving imaginative dishes, using the finest local produce. Adjacent to the Nairn Golf Club, the appropriately named ‘Golf View’ is also within an hour’s drive of 25 other courses.
ROYAL GOLF HOTEL, Dornoch (Superior First Class): Beside the Royal Dornoch Golf Club and overlooking the Dornoch Firth, this well established hotel attracts international golfers. Significant refurbishment has taken place in the public areas and the bedrooms, which include two fine suites on the top floor. The split level sun lounge offers all day dining and comfortable seating from which to watch the golf.
CULLODEN HOUSE (pictured above), Culloden (Deluxe Country House): At the time of the Jacobite rising in 1745-46, Culloden House was requisitioned by Bonnie Prince Charlie and used as his lodging and battle headquarters prior to that fateful and final battle on Culloden Moor on the 16th April 1746. Today, this handsome Palladian country house stands in nearly 40 acres where guests are free to wander about the elegant lawns and parkland to enjoy the exceptional peace, tranquility and majesty of the grounds. The interior features a wonderfully comfortable drawing-room with magnificent Adamesque plasterwork, many fine antiques and a large open fire. Culloden House is rated STB and AA four stars and two Rosettes for food. Member of ‘Taste of Scotland’.
MORANGIE HOUSE HOTEL, Tain (Country House). A fine old Victorian mansion is set on the northern outskirts of the Highland town of Tain, one of Scotland’s oldest Royal burghs. The hotel has been extensively modernized and tastefully decorated to maintain the character of the building. Of real interest is the superb collection of Victorian stained glass windows in many of the public rooms and hallways. There are twenty six bedrooms all individually decorated and furnished to the highest standards. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, direct dial telephones, hairdryer and trouser press; and if you really want to be pampered the master bedroom has a large four poster bed while the large bathroom boasts a whirlpool corner bath. To complement the comfort of the accommodation our dining room and bar offer all that’s best in Highland food and drink with salmon, venison and game in season and a comprehensive selection of Highland malt whiskies for you to savor.