It’s 7:45, and I am watching the most spectacular sunrise over the famous first tee flags at Royal Dornoch, I am thinking perhaps I am on the best golf trip in the world.
Scottish Highlands Golf Swing
Rewind twenty-four hours and Nicola and I are loading every golf item under the planet into the car ready for our 400-mile journey to Scotland.
Scotland has 587 golf courses, the most courses per head of any country, and 50 of them can be found in the Highlands region which I had never ventured to before. We are playing some of the area’s finest, Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn all part of a brand new Highlands Golf Links package.
Royal Dornoch
Our trip starts at Royal Dornoch, we are pleasantly surprised to not need a woolly hat when we teed off at lunchtime.
Several holes stand out, including the short par-3 6th hole, Whinny Brae, which requires a straight shot to avoid a sea of gorse, bunkers and slopes.
The par-3 13th, with its dramatic elevation and scenic backdrop, is another highlight that leaves a lasting impression.
The bunkerless par-4 14th greets golfers from the tee with a stunning view of the hole, the fairway flanked by natural dunes and rough. The green itself is slightly elevated and surrounded by undulating terrain, making it a tricky target. Don’t under club like I did.
Links House at Royal Dornoch
Less from 100 yards from the first tee at Royal Dornoch is our home for the night. Links House is an intimate property is made up of three houses featuring a series of rooms, suites and apartments.
We were greeted with Old Fashioned’s and shortbread biscuits and relaxed in the lounge before heading to dinner.
Dinner at Mara
Mara at Links House offers a delightful culinary experience that beautifully complements its stunning location. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with a blend of modern decor and classic charm, making it perfect for both intimate dinners and special occasions.
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The menu is a celebration of local produce, featuring seasonal ingredients that showcase the best of Scottish cuisine. The seafood options are particularly noteworthy, with fresh catches sourced from nearby waters. The Oysters were incredible, followed by a Portmahomack Scottish Lobster Lasagne starter and North Sea Halibut main with a squid ragù.
This was one of the most memorable meals I have had in a long time, made even better by watching the sunset on Dornoch out of the windows.
Castle Stuart
Day Two saw us head 50 miles south to Cabot Highlands, aka Castle Stuart. I was blown away with the stunning scenery and views of the Moray Firth and the surrounding Highlands. The low autumn lighting really showed it off in all its glory.
The setting is nothing short of spectacular, with rolling dunes and coastal vistas that create an enchanting backdrop for a round of golf.
The course layout is forgiving, allowing players to navigate the rolling fairways before they get to the more challenging greens.
The course presents a series of memorable holes, including the iconic par-3 8th, which features a dramatic drop to the green and an unforgettable view.
The whole round of golf was a stunning experience and I would go back in a heartbeat.
Ness Walk
Our home for night two was Ness Walk in Inverness, which sits on the leafy banks of the River Ness. The property comprises the original 19th-century house and modern extension, which compliments the site exceptionally well.
There is a variety of rooms and suites, the ones with full height windows overlooking the river and gardens are particularly spectacular.
Dinner was in the Torrish restaurant, the hotel’s fine dining establishment that serves quintessential Scottish cuisine. This culminates in an experience rich in texture, colour and intrigue, all with some additional flair. Suppliers are all local so they can provide the freshest fish, quality cuts of meat and the best crops.
My starter was a delightful Scottish mushroom ravioli, while Nicola had Argyle Sea Trout. For main we both had the miso glazed rump of beef which was delicious. We rounded out the evening with a gorgeously light lemon and yuzu tart.
Nairn
Day three and we headed to our final course of the trip, Nairn. This had a much bigger, traditional championship style feel on arrival. The fairways were much narrower with, strategically placed bunkers everywhere you turned.
As you progress, the course showcases a variety of holes that test every aspect of your game. The par 3s, particularly the 4th hole, are highlights, offering breathtaking views and requiring precision to navigate the challenging greens.
We also headed into the club’s archive to see some of their history. The R&A believe this is the biggest golf club archive to exist, and it certainly was spectacular. There were books with minutes of every committee meeting, historic golf balls and hickory clubs as well as memorabilia for big events held at the club, including the Walker Cup, the Amateur Championship and the Curtis Cup. It was a fascinating golf experience looking through the clubs’ history.
I have played lots of golf all around the world in the last few years, and this was truly one of my favourite and most memorable trips that I would recommend to any golfer looking for their next trip away.
Scottish Highlands Golf Swing: More information
To find out more about Highlands Links Golf packages, visit their website here. They offer annual autumn and spring links packages with a variety of golf and accommodation offers. At the start or end of the season, getting in some golf on links courses really is a delight.
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