Best Golf Courses in the Highlands

The Golf World Top 100 panel analyses the best courses in the Highlands of Scotland.

What are the best golf courses in the Highlands? The Golf World Top 100 panel reveal their pick from the northwest of Scotland.

We have separated ‘Islands’ from ‘Highlands’ in our regional breakdown but if you think that weakens the region, you would be very wrong.

It covers a wide area – anything north of Argyll and Perthshire and anything to the west of Aberdeen – so logistically it is not really a region you can pick and choose the courses on our list you fancy and tick them all off on the same golf break; there are around 70 miles between Boat of Garten and Dornoch.

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Nevertheless, pockets of incredibly good golf are waiting to be tackled.

Best Golf Courses in the Highlands

1. Royal Dornoch (Championship)

Dornoch

At an all-time high of No.5 in our 2022 GB&I Top 100 which, you might justifiably suggest, has been a long time coming.

It was in our very first ranking 40 years ago, but only once in the 14 lists since that inaugural one did it make the top 10 (ninth in 2000). We were not alone in being slow to recognise the enchanting nature of this mystical links. Another ranking had it behind Killarney’s Killeen and Druids Glen in the late ’90s, at No.51.

Probably its location played a part, in the sense relatively few people will have made it to the Highlands – it’s five hours north of Glasgow and a full hour from Inverness, never mind from anywhere south of the border. Still, when Tom Watson says it “is the most fun I have ever had playing golf” after his 1981 trip – during which he began to fall in love with links golf – it must be said we’ve been a little slow to acknowledge its class.

Before him, legendary American golf writer Herbert Warren Wind stated “No golfer has completed his education until he has played and studied Royal Dornoch.”

Those Americans had Dornoch right long before we did, even if it has been on a constant ascent since the 2008 ranking, when it was 11th. It now certainly feels as if it is established as an essential pilgrimage for any golfer with a taste for playing the finest courses and an antennae for the history of the game and its architecture.

Dornoch could not be more different from the Scottish course it has usurped for the first time, Muirfield. Where the Open venue is accused of being too demanding to charm and mesmerise the golfer who plays the game to be enriched and entertained, Dornoch oozes those characteristics.

It has a mystique and an atmosphere only the Old Course, in its different way, can match of courses in these islands. The beauty of the setting, the effortless lie-of-the-land nature of the holes, the hypnotic tranquility of the Highlands and the aura and legacy of Donald Ross combine to make this one of the world’s greatest courses.

“My favourite golf course in Britain,” says one panellist. It boasts the most mind-bending green complexes, the perfect balance of long holes, short 4s, ‘gettable’ par 5s and terrifying 3s. The split-level 8th is so good it inspired holes elsewhere in this ranking at modern greats Castle Stuart and Kingsbarns. It starts relatively sedately, but the rest of the front nine is truly epic, with the view from the 7th tee one of best in the game.

Play on a sunny summer evening and get a glimpse of heaven. Your appreciation grows with each and every visit. One of the finest natural links in the world and in ‘Foxy’ – the famed par-4 14th – Dornoch boasts a hole that is among the word’s finest.

2. Skibo Castle

Dornoch

Skibo its neighbouring little piece of golf paradise.

It wasn’t long ago that Skibo was 95th. But that was before we had digested the overhaul by Tom Mackenzie and director of golf David Thomson. Gorse removal and architectural changes have reaped huge rewards. It’s exacting, but it has a heavenly backdrop, it sets clever tests and is flawlessly presented.

This gorse-covered links, designed 25 years ago, has been refurbished over the past 10 years under the eyes of David Thomson and Tom Mackenzie to produce a significantly more inspired proposition. Incredibly well presented, it is varied, interesting and truly beautiful – as well as seriously exacting.

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3. Castle Stuart

Inverness

Playable, with a terrific set of greens. Makes maximum use of the views and landscape and is established as a modern great. All levels can get their ball in play off the tee but to score well you have to do a little more than that, and that is the beauty of Castle Stuart. As well as its actual beauty.

We rank it 25th in GB&I and some believe it is at least as good as Kingsbarns, as it is more playable, more strategic and more fun. It’s certainly wide but making easy pars or birdies requires taking the right line off the tee. Funky around the greens and regularly breathtaking.

4. Nairn

Nairn

A beachside-inland hybrid, Nairn has invested in a renovation with Mackenzie & Ebert, introducing revetted greenside bunkers and ‘natural’ fairway bunkers that give a feel of Martin Ebert’s fine Ailsa overhaul.

A wonderful start along the shore capped by an exquisite par 3, but some are not as keen on several inland holes.

5. Brora

Brora

A pilgrimage for architecture enthusiasts and is now a fifth Highlands GB&I entry.

Rugged golf over rumpled fairways. There’s no substitution for great golf land and Brora has it in spades. A 2020 success story coming back from the financial brink – and it is testament to its charm and character that so many worldwide pitched in to save this Braid masterpiece. Simple but brilliant.

6. Boat of Garten

Aviemore

An achingly gorgeous setting and the relatively short, forgiving course allows you to breathe in every drop of beauty. One of former Open champion Paul Lawrie’s favourite courses.

A James Braid design from 1930 among birch trees, heather and broom alongside the River Spey in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

Its location in Aviemore is a very good start to explaining why ‘The Boat’ is in the upper echelons of our Scottish ranking, and in front of some illustrious names. But a mountain setting alone couldn’t earn it that slot, and Boat of Garten is also home to a selection of fun holes and terrific green complexes. Varied and never, ever dull.

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7. Moray (Old)

Lossiemouth

A classic Old Tom Morris out-and-back links (1889) which like St Andrews starts and finishes in town – the 18th is one of the finest finishing holes in Scotland. With deep revetted bunkers, undulating gorse-lined fairways, pacy greens and seven par-4s 400-yards plus – it’s demanding.

8. Fortrose & Rosemarkie

Fortrose

Stunning, remote 125-year-old links plotted on the slender Chanonry peninsula – the breathtaking Moray Firth vistas are spectacular and famously you can spot dolphins here. Home of the 15th oldest club in the world, established in 1793.

9. Golspie

Golspie

Parkland, heathland and links in 18 holes. Hard to know which is the best phase but most will chose the links holes. The 9th is a tight, rolling, heather-lined left dog-leg named ‘Paradise’.

10. Spey Valley

Aviemore

One of Dave Thomas’ finest creations, Spey Valley is one of the most challenging and scenic courses around. This Aviemore masterpiece from 2006 runs alongside the River Spey and under the nose of the towering Cairngorms.

11. Tain

Tain

This Old Tom Morris treasure from 1890 overlooks the Dornoch Firth, bringing together a mixed environment of seaside, river and gorse with typical linksy lumps and hollows.

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12. Moray (New)

Lossiemouth

Sir Henry Cotton converted the New course into 18 holes in 1979 and ensured its tight fairways and small greens provide a fine links test stretching to around 6,000 yards.

13. Nairn Dunbar

Nairn

Set out as a nine-holer in 1899 and is situated behind the rugged sand dunes of the East Beach. Admirable work to widen fairways by creating sandy waste areas nudges it up in appeal and this ranking.

14. Grantown-on-Spey

Grantown-on-Spey

Its first six holes are over fairly flat, open parkland before it tightens up over the second six with the closing stretch played over undulating parkland.

‘Murdie’s View’ is a downhill short par-4 9th backdropped by the Cromdale Hills. Designed by Willie Park and James Braid.

15. Durness

Durness

The most north-westerly course in mainland Britain, this nine-hole links opened in 1988 and includes the glorious par-5 6th which sweeps around the bay and a par-3 finale that starred in Peter Alliss’ Travels with Alliss TV series. 

16. Covesea

Elgin

Memorable nine-hole links beside the Moray Firth. If fun and quirkiness is your bag, Covesea delivers on both fronts. Brace yourself for a 92-yard hole played ‘blind’ to the top of a cliff and a par 3 played over a huge rock formation to a three-tier green, but also a 221-yard ‘short’ hole.

17. Royal Dornoch (Struie)

Dornoch

Boasts a good mix of holes, a burn that adds strategy, great Dornoch Firth views on the 10th and a fun 127-yard finale. Robin Hiseman’s fine work here raised it a notch at least. A Scottish Top 100 entry.

18. Reay

Thurso

The most northerly 18-hole links on mainland Scotland was founded in 1893, although today’s track is the outcome of a James Braid upgrade in 1933. The front nine is classic links but expect the unexpected on the reverse nine – a more undulating and unorthodox affair. 

19. Elgin

Elgin

One of the finest inland set-ups in the North and home of a deceptively demanding 6,458-yard course that has hosted the PGA Northern Open several times. Founded in 1906, the course was extended to 18 holes in 1924.

20. Traigh

Arisaig

The most westerly course on the mainland is found north of Arisaig. This nine-hole links boasts out-of-this-world views. Scottish architect Johnny Salvesen re-designed the course in 1993.  

21. Buckpool

Buckie Moray

This smashing seaside course – the early 1930s handiwork of J.H. Taylor – was the scene of 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie’s first professional win. You’ll relish the three short par 4s on the reverse nine and a cracking set of par-3s.

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22. Spey Bay

Fochabers

Located at the mouth of the River Spey on the Moray Firth coastline, the course was designed by Ben Sayers and opened in 1907. Prime minister Ramsay MacDonald was a member at this intoxicating links. 

23. Inverness (Culcabock)

Inverness

You’ll find this mature parkland at the heart of the Highlands capital. Always in excellent condition, it was established in 1883 and designed by George Smith and J.J. Fraser with James Braid later making key adjustments.

24. Forres

Forres

Tee it up for a modest fee on this James Braid/Willie Park parkland and you’ll enjoy a challenging, scenic course in good condition and with a splendid combination of holes. 

25. Hopeman

Elgin

Extended from nine to 18 holes in 1985, Hopeman is a super seaside course and is even better following Tom Mackenzie’s recent upgrade. Honorary president Paul Lawrie says the 12th is one
of the best par 3s he’s ever played.

26. Gairloch

Gairloch

This nine-holer is barely 2,000 yards, with three par 3s, two par 4s and only one (but brilliant) par 5. It runs alongside a beach providing to-die-for views. Established in 1898.

27. Kings

Inverness

Formerly Torvean GC, Scottish architect Stuart Rennie’s new championship course is a fine addition to Inverness’ portfolio. This 2019 parkland is an excellent alternative to the area’s superstar links.

28. Muir of Ord

Muir of Ord

A much loved – especially by local hero Russell Knox – heathland/moorland that lies 15 miles
north of Inverness. It’s been around since 1875 but was significantly upgraded by James Braid in the 1920s. Forgiving to higher handicappers yet a challenge for all.

29. Kingussie

Kingussie

Home to 125 years of history and a little gem of an Old Tom Morris/Harry Vardon course built on upland terrain within the Cairngorm National Park. Expect generous, undulating fairways laid down on upland terrain – and fabulous views.

30. Newtonmore

Newtonmore

An engaging, historic, easy-walking parkland in the upper Spey Valley within the Cairngorm National Park. Founded 1893, it and Kingussie (three miles away) are the perfect stop en route to the Highlands’ superstars.

The Highlands: Best of the rest…

31. Ullapool

32 Wick

33. Maverston

34. Strathpeffer

35. Thurso

36. Rothes

37. Invergordon

38. Alness

39. Portmahomack (Tarbat)

40. Carrbridge

41. Abernethy

42. Fort William

43. Fort Augustus

44. Aigas

45. Bonar Bridge.

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