Golf Courses in the Scottish Highlands — Remote, Dramatic, Unforgettable

Some golfers want more than the famous venues. St Andrews is wonderful and Ayrshire is superb. Yet for those who want space, quiet and wild scenery, the Highlands are the place to go.

The journey north changes the mood. Whether you drive up the A9, take the sleeper train or fly to Inverness, the scale of the land grows. As a result, Highland golf feels like a true adventure. You can browse every course we list in Scotland to plan your route.

Why Highland golf is unique

Remoteness. The courses around the Dornoch Firth sit in small, quiet towns, far from the crowds of Fife or Ayrshire. You may have a links almost to yourself.

Value. Green fees in the Highlands are often modest compared with the famous links further south. Still, check each club’s website for current prices.

Landscape. The hills, firths and beaches are part of every round. For example, at Brora the hills roll away behind the greens, while at Nairn the Moray Firth stretches out to the north.

Royal Dornoch

Records show golf at Dornoch as early as 1616, although the club itself dates from 1877. Much of the Championship Course is credited to Old Tom Morris, who visited in 1886 and 1889. Donald Ross grew up here and was the club’s first professional before he left for America. There, he became one of the best-known course designers of all time.

Today, the Championship Course is a links of great subtlety, with raised greens that reward a good short game. Since visitor tee times go early in summer, book months ahead. The town of Dornoch, with its cathedral and small square, makes a charming base.

Brora Golf Club

Brora lies a short drive north of Dornoch on the A9. Old Tom Morris laid out the first course in 1891, then James Braid rebuilt it in the 1920s. Sheep and cattle graze the course, which is why small fences guard the greens. The course runs out along the shore and back, so you face the wind both ways.

Golspie Golf Club

Golspie sits between Dornoch and Brora. Its course mixes links, heathland and parkland holes, with the shore close by. Since it is less famous, it is easy to book. In addition, it makes a relaxed middle day on a Dornoch trip.

Tain Golf Club

Tain sits on the south shore of the Dornoch Firth, across the water from Dornoch. It is a traditional links with a friendly welcome. As a result, it pairs naturally with a Dornoch trip.

Nairn Golf Club

Nairn sits on the south shore of the Moray Firth, east of Inverness. The early holes run right along the shore. Nairn hosted the 1999 Walker Cup and the 2012 Curtis Cup, so it is a true championship test. Meanwhile, the wind off the firth can change the course from day to day.

Castle Stuart Golf Links

Castle Stuart opened in 2009 on the shore of the Moray Firth, near Inverness. Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse designed this modern links with wide fairways and big views. It has also hosted the Scottish Open, so it draws golfers from around the world.

The Black Isle and Inverness

Across the Kessock Bridge from Inverness, Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club sits on a narrow point with sea on both sides. It is not long. Even so, the setting is remarkable, and dolphins are often seen in the channel nearby.

Inverness itself has parkland golf, which suits a sheltered round or a short day. The directory lists golf courses near Inverness with contact details for each.

North-east Scotland

East of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire has more fine links along its coast. The directory lists golf courses near Aberdeen. Further south, the directory also lists golf courses near Dundee, close to Carnoustie.

Getting to the Highlands

By air: Inverness Airport has flights from London and other UK airports, and it is a short drive from the city.

By train: The Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from London Euston to Inverness. You board in the evening and wake up in the Highlands.

By car: The A9 runs north from Perth to Inverness and on towards Dornoch. From England, allow a long day, or break the journey in Edinburgh. Our page on golf courses near Edinburgh suggests a round on the way.

Where to stay

Dornoch is the obvious base for the Sutherland courses, since Royal Dornoch, Brora, Golspie and Tain are all close. By contrast, Inverness suits golfers who want to play Nairn, Castle Stuart and the Black Isle. Nairn is a quieter option with easy access to the Moray Firth courses.

When to visit

The main season runs from May to September. In June, daylight lasts late into the evening, so you can play after dinner. May is a fine choice too, since the gorse is in bloom and the courses are quiet. Winter golf is possible on the links, although the days are very short.

Short courses

The Highlands also have many nine-hole courses in small towns and villages. They are friendly and good value. Our guide to nine-hole golf courses explains how to find them.

Plan your Highland golf trip

A good Highland trip might include Royal Dornoch and Brora on consecutive days, with Golspie or Tain in between. Then finish at Nairn or Castle Stuart on the way back to Inverness. Our Scotland golf guide covers the rest of the country. In addition, our guide to the best links courses, our guide to coastal golf and our UK golf breaks guide will help you plan.

For golfers putting together winter golf kit, we have a buying guide.