Funerals at Old Petty were unusual to put it mildly.
It was called the Petty Step – a mad dash to the church fuelled by a superstition it was lucky to be the first to cross the threshold. The story, reported by Ardersier, goes that the practice ended rather hurriedly when some pallbearers tripped on the way to the graveyard.
But while the Old Petty Church is no longer in use, people are once again about to start running to this part of Inverness.
This time it’s to the golf course that bears the former sanctuary’s name as it opens its doors for a limited period this summer.
To call it much anticipated would be an understatement. Tom Doak doesn’t do much work in Great Britain – Renaissance and an acclaimed restoration of Woodhall Spa among the few occasions he had set spade to soil over here.
But he is behind the new layout at Cabot Highlands, and golfers can get a sneak preview of it from August 1 until September 30 before its full launch in the spring of 2026.
When Cabot acquired Castle Stuart Golf Links in 2022, which you can play in April as part of NCG Top 100s Tour, they revealed plans to create a new 18-hole course to complement its Top 100 neighbour.
“Tom’s been a friend for an awfully long time – we’ve known each other for over 20 years – and had tried to find a couple of projects to work together and had not yet been successful,” explained Cabot chief executive Ben Cowan-Dewar.
“While we were in the process of buying Castle Stuart, he visited with me. What he has done with his team [at Old Petty], and he’s got a wonderful team of people which is a huge part of his success, has has been extraordinary.”
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Get ready for the spectacular. The 2nd plays past the old church, with the 10th using the Moray Firth as a backdrop before the layout returns to the tidal estuary on the 14th.
A recurring theme is the routing near the historic Castle Stuart, which is celebrating its 400th year and can be seen from 13 of the 18 holes at Old Petty.
Old Petty: ‘It will open with a bang’
“Tom has delivered something at Old Petty,” added Cowan-Dewar. “I was there recently as we seeded the last hole and thought, ‘there will be a lot of golfers walking off after a couple of days not sure which course they like better’.
“Then we have fulfilled our mandate and given golf something really fun to debate.”
It will definitely be a talking point. You’d expect Old Petty to follow Cabot Highlands into a raft of Top 100 lists. But which will ultimately be ranked higher, and has there been competition among the architects – Gil Hanse designed Castle Stuart – to outdo each other on the eastern Scottish coast?
Cowan-Dewar said: “Gil and Tom have worked together and Gil started his career working at Renaissance (Golf). I think it is competition and it’s healthy competition.”
He added: “I think the desire to outdo your friend and really do something special is great.
“That really is Mike Keiser’s exemplar for me. Mike’s been a dear friend and a wonderful partner for an awfully long time, but I think so many golf resorts had chosen the same architect to do 36 holes – and so you ended up getting that more identical twin, or one really special and one less inspired.
“There was no way Tom was going to build anything less than the very best he could, to stand next to Gil, any more than Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw were going to build anything less than their very best at Cabot Cliffs to stand next to Rod Whitman’s really terrific Cabot Links.
“I think that’s all we can ask and if we’ve delivered amazing golf then we’re doing our job for our customers.”
It’s £190 to preview Old Petty – with Castle Stuart priced at £330 – and only those who have a tee time booked for the latter will be able to take advantage. But you might have already missed the boat, with Cowan-Dewar revealing the response to the preview window has been “unbelievable”.
“So many people know Castle Stuart and love it,” he said. “The team there are just wonderful. The entire team that was there when I made the purchase two years ago is still there and has folded into our Cabot family.
“We’re just very blessed to have them working on it. The excitement for those folks who have been there for a while and have seen Castle Stuart realise its first chapter, to be able to have a second chapter and beyond, is heartening to see.
“But I’m just excited for people to see the golf course. I think it’s really special. It’s been quietly unfolding and it will open with a bang and be a really wonderful addition to the Highlands.”
You can play Cabot Highlands with NCG Top 100s Tour
Cabot Highlands forms the climax of our Highlands Spring Swing in April. You can sign up to play at Nairn Dunbar on April 1, Nairn on April 2, Fortrose & Rosemarkie on April 3, as well as Cabot Highlands on April 4.
Your entry fee at Cabot Highlands is £275 and includes a bacon sandwich and tee and coffee on arrival, as well as a one-course meal after your round. You will also receive a pack of TaylorMade golf balls.
You can register for Cabot Highlands, or view the entire spring package which costs £615 per person.
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Now have your say
Are you getting the chance to play Old Petty in 2025? What will it add to the Cabot Highlands complex? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment on X.
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