Pitlochry: The Switzerland of Scotland
A gloriously colourful golf course, Pitlochry is surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Europe.
The town of Pitlochry is a vibrant and picturesque Victorian town and is one of Perthshire’s top tourist hotspots.
Although not a particularly long course, it is a tricky little course with small, fast and devious greens.
History
The golf course was constructed in 1908 with Willie Fernie of Troon being commissioned as the initial designer. He saw the natural beauty of the Balnacraig and Drumchorry farms upon which the course now rests and set about using the undulating landscape to its full potential.
The course layout was quite different from that of today, which saw two par 5 holes included on the scorecard. The course has been altered through time and the layout of today is testimony to both Willie Fernie the original architect, and Major Cecil Hutchison who in the early 1920s, tinkered and tweaked with it to produce the golf course as we know it at the present time.
The course has never been the longest by any stretch of the imagination and was not intended to be. There have been questions raised about how players of the stature of Harry Vardon, Max Faulkner, Bob Charles, Walter Hagen and Tommy Armour, amongst others to walk the fairways of Pitlochry, found the notorious greens, but the consensus is that at least their scorecards would have survived the test.
What makes it special
Pitlochry, often referred to as ‘the gateway to the highlands’ and ‘Switzerland of Scotland’ is a quintessentially centrally located stone-walled town, which many overlook unless travelling Northwards. It’s part of the county of Perthshire with a plethora of things to do as well as within a short drive, to the outskirts of the town.
It’s also home to the Highland Open Golf Week.
Where does it rank?
310th in GB&I, 92nd in Scotland.
Where is it?
Pitlochry Golf Club is located a 40-minute drive north of Perth in Scotland along the A9.
Get in touch with Pitlochry
For more information about the club and course, visit its website or call them on 01796 472 792.
Have you played Pitlochry before? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us.
Ben Outhwaite
Ben is National Club Golfer's Marketing Editor and the latest addition to our golf equipment review team.
He specialises in testing golf bags, beginner golf club sets, apparel and golf accessories. He also collates our buying guides so you know which are the latest and greatest bits of golf equipment on the market.
Ben picked up his first golf club when he was five years old – which was in fact a left-handed set of clubs!
He is a member at Rudding Park Golf Club and has a handicap of fifteen.
