- Best Highlands & Moray Golf Courses, North Scotland
Highlands
About Golf in the Highlands?
Golf in the Highlands is an experience like no other. With nine courses to choose from, including the world's finest in Royal Dornoch, to an encounter with sheep and Highland Coos at Brora.
The views in every direction are stunning and a stay in the beautiful self catering apartments at Royal Golf Gardens is the perfect spot to experience all that there is to offer.
— Golf Courses
Golf Courses You Can Play in the Highlands
Brora
James Braid
Style: Links
Par: 70
Brora Golf Club is the most northerly golf memorial to James Braid in his native Scotland.
Brora is also the headquarters of the James Braid Golfing Society, and while its President, Peter Thomson, and fellow member Ronan Rafferty annually enthuse, the club golfer, the bedrock of the game, will derive equal pleasure and satisfaction from Brora's 6211 yards.
Given 194 acres of Scottish links land to work on, what in 1923 was entitled "Braid's Plan" is hardly altered. Here the visitor will enjoy the mixture of bent grass and beach sand, burn water and gorse in glorious yellow May bloom. There is even a railway which comes into play from the tenth tee.
Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart)
Mark Parsinen & Gil Hanse
Style: Links
Par: 72
One of Scotland's newest golf courses in the Highlands of Scotland but looks like it may have been there for over 100 years.
From infinity edged greens, partially re-vetted natural bunkers, uneven ‘rumpled’ fairway contours, and the rich texture of a ruggedly natural links landscape Castle Stuart is a golf course like no other.
A recent Scottish Open venue boasting winners such as Phil Mickelson.
Forres
James Braid & Willie Park Jnr
Style: Parklands
Par: 70
This delightful Par 70 course is just less than 6300 yards from the tips providing a good test for golfers of all abilities. It is beautifully maintained and picturesque with an interesting layout that will satisfy all who play it.
The course is full of memorable holes; none more so than the 16th, aptly named ‘Pond’. This is a spectacular hole where a watery grave awaits errant tee shots.
Forres Golf Course has hosted the Scottish Professional Championship, the Northern Open and the Scottish Young Professionals Championships – a testimony to its quality.
Fortrose & Rosemarkie
James Braid
Style: Links
Par: 71
The 15th Oldest course in the world Fortose & Rosemarkie sits beautifully on the Chanonry Peninsula.
A championship links course with stunning views all around with a great test of golf.
Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club attended at the Scottish Golf Tourism Week and Awards night held at the Turnberry Golf Resort in 2017 and also at the Fairmont Hotel in St. Andrews in 2018.
They were presented (as voted for by the public) with the award of Scotland’s Best Golfing Experience (value for money). The Club were also shortlisted (in the top 4) for the Best Golf Course of 2019.
The International Golf Tour Operators Association have also honoured us with an 'Outstanding Service Award for 2021' where only eight clubs in Scotland were in receipt of this accolade.
The course ranks amongst the Top 30 in GB & Ireland's Favourite 'Fun' Golf Courses, which are guaranteed to entertain and captivate (there are over 2,000 courses in Great Britain & Ireland).
Golspie
James Braid
Style: Links, Parkland, Heathland
Par: 70
Golspie Golf Course designed by James Braid is situated on the Dornoch Firth with a beguiling mix of classic links, heath and parkland holes.
The course has stunning views from all holes of the Dornoch Firth on one side and the backdrop of Ben Bhraggie on the other.
The Par 70 course offers an excellent golfing experience whether you are a plus 1 handicapper or an enthusiastic beginner.
Nairn
Archie Simpson, Old Tom Morris, James Braid & Tom Mackenzie
Style: Links
Par: 71
Ranked number 11 in the list of Top 100 Courses in Scotland 2015 (Golf World Magazine), this Traditional Scottish Golf Links Course was created from a Highland wilderness of gorse and heather, tests the talents of professional and amateur alike.
Founded in 1887, it is now one of the best courses in Scotland, has hosted a large number of important championships.
Nairn Dunbar
Old Tom Morris & James Braid
Style: Links
Par: 72
Situated behind the rugged sand dunes of Nairn’s East Beach, Nairn Dunbar Golf Links offers an unrivalled experience for golfers of all levels.
With views across the Moray Firth to the Black Isle and beyond to the mountains of Sutherland as well as inland to the neighbouring Cawdor Hills, the course is a treat for the senses.
Measuring over 6800 yards off the medal tees, it requires both guile and skill to negotiate its hugely varied challenges presented from first tee to final green.
Royal Dornoch
John Sutherland, Old Tom Morris & George Duncan
Style: Links
Par: 70
Championship Course - As you play over the classic links land that borders the Dornoch Firth, you will be awed by the wild magnificence of the sea, sky, mountains and ancient grass covered dunes while having every shot in your bag tested.
The golfer on the Championship Course is presented with 18 holes each of character and challenge that can be recalled to mind long after the round is completed.
The first 8 holes are played along the upper level of ancient dune land, before the golfer retraces his route at beach level. The whins which line the fairways, and which blooms in late Spring, punishes wayward shots.
Raised or sloping greens are characteristic, as well as elevated tees so the target is well presented although rarely easy to reach.
Tain
Old Tom Morris
Style: Links
Par: 70
Tain Golf Club in Ross-Shire, is a traditional Scottish Highland links course designed by Old Tom Morris situated 9 miles south of Dornoch and 31 miles north of Inverness.
The Championship length links overlooking the Dornoch Firth 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 challenging and beautiful course and the layout of the holes guarantees an interesting round for beginners or experts.
The sheltered location of the course ensures favourable weather for most of the year.
—Where To Stay
Accommodation in the Highlands
- Royal Golf Gardens Apartments, Dornoch
- Royal Golf Hotel, Dornoch
- Royal Golf Gardens, Dornoch
- Links House, Dornoch
- Embo House, Dornoch
- Town and Country Lettings Dornoch
- Kingsmill Hotel, Inverness
- Drumossie Hotel, Inverness
- Dornoch Station Hotel, Dornoch
- Town and Country Lettings Dornoch
- Kingsmill Hotel, Inverness
- Drumossie Hotel, Inverness
- Chieftain Hotel, Inverness
- Ness Walks, Inverness
- Golf View Hotel, Nairn
- Ard Na Mara, Nairn
- Best Highlands & Moray Golf Courses, North Scotland
Moray
Golf in Moray Region?
Moray is home to 18 golf courses and we’re lucky to work with over half of them. In addition to the fabulous golf courses, Moray is also known for its 35 miles of sandy beaches.
If you’re into your Whisky then Moray is a definite place for you to visit. The region's distilleries produce more Malt Whisky than the rest of the world combined.
— Golf Courses
Golf Courses You Can Play in Moray
Buckpool
J H Taylor
Style: Links
Par: 70
The fishing town of Buckie in the North East of Scotland has been keeping one of Scottish Golf’s best kept secrets for many a year – its links style course.
Slightly elevated above the sea, it boasts superlative views across the Moray Firth towards the hills of Caithness. Nominated in 2019 by Golf Monthly in the Top 100 courses in Scotland, and reckoned to be one of the most underrated courses in the North East.
Built on sand, Buckpool has fast, rolling fairways, often lined by tall mature gorse bushes. Swailes and hollows are littered around the approaches to slick undulating greens, so precious some are protected by cavernous bunkers.
Blend all this with Scottish hospitality and sincere friendliness. Relaxed, refreshed and rewarded, a visit to Buckpool Golf Club will surely “Haste ye Back”.
Covesea
Mr Andrew Burnett
Style: Links
Par: 31
The Covesea Links 9 hole golf course sits on the end of its own winding road nestled in a cove with a visually spectacular view overlooking the Moray Firth.
The course with its own unique topography, windswept cliffs and corries has been designed to be playable for beginners, families and top golfers alike.
A haven for wildlife with its own beach, natural gorse and marram gorse lined fairways, an area of special scientific interest and conservation with its diverse array of coastal landscapes.
From our signature 6th tee you will find panoramic views of the Caithness mountains and the Covesea Lighthouse.
Cullen Links
Old Tom Morris & Charlie Neaves
Style: Links
Par: 63
Cullen Links Golf Club is an amazing albeit unusual course that needs to be played to be believed.
Situated on the North East coast of Scotland, overlooking the Moray Firth, Cullen Links Golf Course is ideal for outings. The pioneer Old Tom Morris came north from St Andrews to find the same sandy soil at Cullen Links.
Situated halfway between Royal Dornoch and Royal Aberdeen on the Moray Firth coastline, this is a design from golfing history.
Cullen Links Golf Club was originally designed as a 9-hole course by renowned golf course architect ‘Old Tom Morris’. It was then later developed into an 18-hole by Charlie Neaves.
Cullen is an enchanting course - perfectly located along the stunning shores of the Moray Firth. On the noted 7th tee, keep one eye on the ball and another to the shore to survey for Bottlenose Dolphins.
As one of the world’s 264 true links courses, Cullen is known as the shortest of all these. While the course may be short, it packs a plentiful punch with an exciting mix of straightforward and challenging holes – to accommodate golfers of any ability.
Elgin
Unknown
Style: Parkland
Par: 71
Founded in 1906, Elgin Golf Club is widely regarded as one of the finest inland courses in the North of Scotland.
Measuring 6,496 yards with par of 71 and a Course Rating of 71.6 and a Slope Rating of 125 off the White Medal Tees, the challenging but fair course is a true test of low and high handicap players alike.
Situated in the heart of Moray and Speyside, the golf course is kept in immaculate condition by the green-staff and boasts stunning views over the town of Elgin and the Moray coast to the north and the hills stretching to the distant Cairngorm Mountains to the south.
The Hardhillock Bar and Bistro situated in the clubhouse provides full food and beverage facilities and you will receive a warm welcome from their friendly staff.
Hopeman
Charlie Neaves & JN Mckenzie
Style: Links
Par: 68
Originally Hopeman was a nine hole course, which was extended to 18 in 1985 making it probably one of the most demanding links courses to play golf in Moray located in the North of Scotland. Most fairways are jealously guarded by gorse and broom, adding an additional challenge to members and visitors alike.
Changes and staged upgrades to the course commenced in 2018, with the implementation of a 5 year programme of course improvements recommended by Tom MacKenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert.
Paul Lawrie OBE Open Champion 1999 and also an Honorary President at Hopeman has described our signature Par 3 12th Hole as ”probably the best Par 3 he has ever played” .
The Prieshach is a spectacular hole, with its green nestling in the Clashach cove over 100 feet below the tee and is undoubtedly Hopeman Golf Club’s signature hole.
Whilst the hole is only 150 yards long, the green lies more than 100 feet below the tee, protected by two bunkers left and right, and with gorse and heather not far away. Depending on wind conditions, almost any club in your bag might be selected.
On the tee golfers face a panoramic view of the Moray Firth, where often you can observe local dolphins having fun in the Firth below.
Moray (Old & New)
Old Tom Morris &
Henry Cotton
Style: Links
Par: 69, 70
Where else could you follow in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris and Henry Cotton in the same day?
The old course is considered to be one of the finest links courses in Scotland. A classic links designed by Old Tom Morris with deep revetted bunkers, undulating gorse lined fairways and smooth fast greens. It is a superb test of golf with seven par fours over 400 yards.
Henry Cotton's preference for precision golf can be seen with the shorter but somewhat tighter new course with greens smaller than the Old but every bit as good, and equally challenging and rewarding.
Moray Golf Club is truly one of Scotland's gems, a fitting tribute to the artistry of Old Tom Morris and Henry Cotton and a must for golfers visiting the area.
Spey Bay
Ben Sayers
Style: Links
Par: 70
Designed by the legendary Ben Sayers and opened in 1907, Spey Bay is a traditional links course.
Set along the Moray coast, this course has a traditional out & back layout, and you’ll find heather and gorse boundaries on one side, with beach shingle on the other.
The late Prime Minister was once a member at Spey Bay and the Club Championship Trophy which is still part of the club today, was once presented by him.
Strathlene
George Smith
Style: Links
Par: 69
Playing to nearly 6,000 yards from the back tees, Strathlene Buckie Golf Club gives golfers of all levels more than enough challenge than they could hope for and more.
Undulating fairways, elevated greens and strategically placed bunkers make it a thinking-players course, where course management and ball placement will lead to a solid score.
—Where To Stay
Accommodation in Moray
- Golf View Hotel, Lossiemouth
- Stotfield Hotel, Lossiemouth
- Seafield Arms Hotel, Cullen
- Cullen Bay Hotel, Cullen
- Hill Crest, Cullen
- Kildalton, Findochty
- Spey Bay Lodges
- Crannoch Self Catering, Cullen
