On the drive from England, you might reach Edinburgh and think that you are almost there. You then look down at your navigation system and see that you still have more than three hours of your travel time left, and yet it is all worth it when you reach the north of Scotland and you get your golf clubs out of the boot!
The north of Scotland incorporates Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Scottish Highlands, with Inverness and Aberdeen as the two major cities.
Yes it does take a long time to get there, but the drive up the A9, through the scenery of the Cairngorms National Park, makes it fly by.
And then, there is the golf! The region has championship venues, rustic links layouts, and even some 9-hole courses that you wouldn’t know were there even if you drove past them.
RELATED – Why Inverness is the perfect base for your Highlands golf trip…
Why should you take the time to travel to the north of Scotland for golf?
Scotland, as a nation, is blessed with stunning golfing offerings. Whether it is the Ayrshire coastline of the Kingdom of Fife, there is something for everyone.
The north of Scotland is no different, with some absolutely incredible golf courses in the Scottish Highlands and the regions of Moray and Aberdeenshire.
There are the typical championship venues, like Nairn, Murcar Links and Royal Aberdeen among others.
And then there are the venues that have multiple stunning layouts. Royal Dornoch has both its Championship Course and its Struie Course, while Cruden Bay has the Championship Course and the St Olaf Course – arguably the best 9-hole layout in the country.
Two new venues have also appeared over the last 12 months. Cabot Highlands is now home to two courses, with the Old Petty Course opening in 2026, joining the original Castle Stuart Course at the venue. Trump International is also now a 36-hole resort, with the New Course being the second layout, in addition to the Old Course.
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Play in the north of Scotland on the NCG Top 100s Tour
Over the course of 2026, we will make the trip to the north of Scotland on two occasions – first for a three-day run in May, before a four-day swing in September.
The Highlands Spring Swing
The first of those two weeks will see us based in and around the city of Inverness, as we return to Nairn’s Championship Course and the stunning Fortrose & Rosemarkie. We will also incorporate a brand-new layout into the mix, with a first trip to the Old Petty Course at Cabot Highlands!
- Book your spot to play at Nairn on the NCG Top 100s Tour on May 19th, 2026 here.
- Book your spot to play at Fortrose & Rosemarkie on the NCG Top 100s Tour on May 20th, 2026 here.
- Book your spot to play on the Old Petty Course at Cabot Highlands on the NCG Top 100s Tour on May 21st, 2026 here.
- Fancy playing all three events? Book in for our Highlands Spring Swing!
RELATED – How can you play the new Old Petty Course at Cabot Highlands?
The Aberdeenshire Swing
We will return to the north of Scotland in September, this time focussing on what the northeast corner of the country has to offer. Spey Bay, Newburgh-on-Ythan and Fraserburgh all return for the third consecutive year, while we add another new venue, just like in May. In September, we will take to the New Course at Trump International, having visited the resort to play the Old Course in previous years.
- Book your spot to play at Spey Bay on the NCG Top 100s Tour on September 7th, 2026 here.
- Book your spot to play on the New Course at Trump International on the NCG Top 100s Tour on September 8th, 2026 here.
- Book your spot to play at Newburgh-on-Ythan on the NCG Top 100s Tour on September 9th, 2026 here.
- Book your spot to play at Fraserburgh on the NCG Top 100s Tour on September 10th, 2026 here.
- Fancy playing all four events? Book in for our Aberdeenshire Swing!
RELATED – How can you play the New Course at Trump International?
Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast
Now have your say…
Have you ever made the long journey north to these parts of Scotland to play golf? Do you think that that golfing landscape in the north of Scotland is worth the lengthy travel? How much did you enjoy your time up there? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
