The Best Golf Destinations In The Scottish Highlands

Scotland is the ancestral home of golf and for keen players, the country offers over 500 courses to choose from. These range from the great Open courses down to those few that only the locals know about — there is something to test everyone. Here are seven golf destinations in the Scottish Highlands, each guaranteed to provide a different and unforgettable experience.

1. Macdonald Aviemore

Resort

Featuring Scotland’s longest hole, at 635 yards, this 18 hole Championship wonder twists along the banks of the famous River Spey and has stunning views across the Caledonian pine forests and beyond. The resort offers a choice of three hotels and 18 woodland lodges to choose from, and a whole array of other activities. The course itself is challenging and will test even the most experienced of players, even without being distracted by the wealth of local wildlife, or the outstanding mountain views.

Macdonald Aviemore, Aviemore, Speyside

Ball and club | © Krzysztof Urbanowicz/Flickr

2. Boat of Garten

Situated a short drive from Aviemore, also on the banks of the Spey, this is another course that is complemented by the stunning Cairngorm scenery. Known to be challenging, despite its relatively short length, this 18 hole James Braid designed course should not be overlooked.

Boat of Garten Golf and Tennis Club, Boat of Garten, Invernesshire

River Spey at Boat of Garten | © Dave Conner/Flickr

3. Castle Stuart

With the Moray Firth on one side, and the beautiful Castle Stuart itself providing further visual stimulus, this new course is already world-renowned. The Scottish Open has been held here on more than one occasion, despite it only having been opened in 2009. Close to Inverness and Nairn, this course is one of the best.

Castle Stuart Golf Links, Invernesshire

Occasional Extra Scottish Course Hazard | © Kate Ure/Flickr

5. Wick Golf Club

The most northerly of the links courses dotted along Scotland’s east coast, this club was founded in 1870, making it the oldest of those in the Scottish Highlands. A classic nine holes out and nine back, the fairways are backed by beautiful dunes and the wide crescent of Sinclair Bay, where dolphins and orcas are often seen. Combine a visit with a stay at the luxury Ackergill Tower, a stone’s throw from the first tee.

Wick Golf Club, Reiss, Caithness

Ackergill Tower | © Sian Abrahams/Wikimedia Commons

6. Brora Golf Club

Hotel

Another course touched by the magic of James Braid, Brora has a reputation as a fun and quirky place to play. Sandwiched between the sea, the hills, and even the Far North Railway Line this course is often fragranced by the coconut scent of the prevalent gorse bushes, themselves an integral part of the challenge. Staying at the Royal Marine Hotel puts the player in easy driving distance of several courses in the area: Wick, Thurso, Brora, Golspie, and Dornoch.

Brora Golf Club, Brora, Sutherland

Brora Golf Course | © Gerhard Hoffmann/Flickr

7. Royal Dornoch Golf Club

Park

Last, but definitely not least, this club needs little introduction to the golf aficionado. There are two 18 hole courses; the Championship and the more modern Struie. The Championship course has been called the ‘king of Scottish links courses’ and was designed by Old Tom Morris. Tom Watson is an honorary member and once played twice in one day, announcing it was the most fun he had ever had on a course. The area has a microclimate, with remarkably little rainfall and warmer temperatures than much of the Highlands — you may need your sunblock!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.