Highlands Recommendations **Updated**

[jatrain]

Got the go ahead today to book a quick trip for August.  Last year I did Fife and East Lothian, this trip I want to focus on the highlands.  Tentative itinerary looks like this (budget is a consideration):

 

Day One: Round in Fife off the plane (EDI), probably Leven or Lundin (didn’t play either last time or Elie (played last year, love another go at it). 
 

Day two:  Attempting Old Course through ballot/single draw.  If that doesn’t work out(very likely) then Fortrose/Rosemarkie on the drive north. 
 

Day Three:  Royal Dornoch

Day Four: Tain

Day Five: Brora and Golspie

Day Six:  Boat of Garten on drive back to Edinburgh (leave next day). 
 

The plan would be to base in the Dornoch area.  A couple of questions:  

 

Any recommendations for towns to stay in in that area? I based last year in St. Andrews and Gullane and loved both (walkable to restaurants/pubs.)  Looking for similar vibes. 
 

Courses wise, would there be a significant benefit to replacing something (Tain or Fortose) with something East of Inverness, taking the drive into account? Say Nairn or Old Moray?  Castle Stuart is out of range budget wise.  I like playing old and quirky.  Elie and Kilspindie were highlights on my last trip. 
 

This group was a huge help in making my last trip great.  Thanks!

Edited March 25 by jatrain

[hammergolf]

Durness on the Northern tip has been the one highest on my next trip to the highlands. It’s very remote and a 9 holer but everything I’ve seen and read about it is AWESOME. If you’re looking for possible courses to the east of Inverness, Fraserburgh or Cruden Bay would be my choices.
 

https://www.durnessgolfclub.org/

Edited March 22 by hammergolf

[El Gringo]

It’s a fair ole drive from Dornoch to Lossiemouth. Must be at least 1:30 hours. Good course though! If you decide to play Moray Old you must also play Covesea. 

Edited March 23 by El Gringo

[Navrig]

I'd stick to north of Inverness.  Make Moray and Inverness East a different trip in the future.

 

Tain is a lovely course and worth a visit.

 

An alternative would be the Kings Course which is in Inverness (western side).  It's relatively new but a lovely and challenging course.  It's very hilly so be prepared.  https://www.kingsgolfclubinverness.co.uk/

[Hawkeye77]

Why not stay in Dornoch?

[jatrain]

Trip almost fully booked, staying in Airbnb in Tain, updated plan:

 

Day 1:  Off the flight round at Leven

Day 2:  Cruden Bay (I decided it was worth the drive out of the way)

Day 3:  Royal Dornoch

Day 4:  Tain (am) and Golspie (pm)

Day 5:  Brora

Day 6:  TBD 

 

Options for last round, I would love any thoughts:

• Boat of Garten (best drive wise)
• Fortrose Rosemarkie
• Scotscraig
• Moray Old (if it is worth the drive out of the way)
• Cullen (if it is worth the drive out of the way)

Thanks!

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, jatrain said:

Trip almost fully booked, staying in Airbnb in Tain, updated plan:

 

Day 1:  Off the flight round at Leven

Day 2:  Cruden Bay (I decided it was worth the drive out of the way)

Day 3:  Royal Dornoch

Day 4:  Tain (am) and Golspie (pm)

Day 5:  Brora

Day 6:  TBD 

 

Options for last round, I would love any thoughts:

• Boat of Garten (best drive wise)
• Fortrose Rosemarkie
• Scotscraig
• Moray Old (if it is worth the drive out of the way)
• Cullen (if it is worth the drive out of the way)

Thanks!

If you’re looking for another round after Cruden (GREAT choice btw) I highly recommend Fraserburgh or Nairn on the way over to Tain. As far as a last round, Nairn would be #1 choice, OR  (I assume you will be making your way towards Edinburgh) I would drive further South and play Monifieth outside of Dundee or Elie just a few miles away from Leven.

[jatrain]

1 hour ago, hammergolf said:

If you’re looking for another round after Cruden (GREAT choice btw) I highly recommend Fraserburgh or Nairn on the way over to Tain. As far as a last round, Nairn would be #1 choice, OR  (I assume you will be making your way towards Edinburgh) I would drive further South and play Monifieth outside of Dundee or Elie just a few miles away from Leven.

Thanks for all the advice.  Nairn at almost $400 is unfortunately just too much budget wise for the last round.  I'm trying to stay around $100.  Elie is a great recommendation too, I played there in September and loved it. I'll definitely check out Monifieth. Thanks!

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, jatrain said:

Thanks for all the advice.  Nairn at almost $400 is unfortunately just too much budget wise for the last round.  I'm trying to stay around $100.  Elie is a great recommendation too, I played there in September and loved it. I'll definitely check out Monifieth. Thanks!

Monifieth is a great choice. There’s a couple other hidden gems on the way to Edinburgh that are parkland courses but located on the Firth of Forth. Burntisland (10th Oldest Club in the world) and Aberdour are both under £60 and a lot of fun.

 

https://burntislandgolfhouseclub.co.uk/

 

https://www.aberdourgolfclub.co.uk/

 

 

Edited March 26 by hammergolf

[El Gringo]

If you are looking for a game on the way back to Edinburgh I wouldn’t mess with Moray or further east….its well out of the way. Boat is a good choice, but it will be more than $100. If you want to go cheaper try Kinghorn… less than $50. Cool old school course with cross over holes, walls etc. Monifieth has a second course which is good, the Ashludie…it’s about $100. The Medal Course will be much more. You might like Pitlochry, a hilly inland course with some quality holes. Braid Hills in Edinburgh is a very cool hilltop course with great views. 
 

However, if it was me I would be targeting a par 3 course course or two in Perthshire. 
 

There is a ton of cool golf on the lists below.
 

A link to some of the best cheap courses.

https://Not allowed Per Todaysgolfer's UK request/courses/best/cheap-golf-courses/

 

An under £60 list

 

https://www.todays-golfer.com/courses/best/golf-courses-under-60-gb-ireland/

Edited March 26 by El Gringo

[jatrain]

On 3/22/2025 at 4:36 PM, hammergolf said:

Durness on the Northern tip has been the one highest on my next trip to the highlands. It’s very remote and a 9 holer but everything I’ve seen and read about it is AWESOME. If you’re looking for possible courses to the east of Inverness, Fraserburgh or Cruden Bay would be my choices.
 

https://www.durnessgolfclub.org/

 

Edited March 26 by jatrain

[jatrain]

11 hours ago, El Gringo said:

If you are looking for a game on the way back to Edinburgh I wouldn’t mess with Moray or further east….its well out of the way. Boat is a good choice, but it will be more than $100. If you want to go cheaper try Kinghorn… less than $50. Cool old school course with cross over holes, walls etc. Monifieth has a second course which is good, the Ashludie…it’s about $100. The Medal Course will be much more. You might like Pitlochry, a hilly inland course with some quality holes. Braid Hills in Edinburgh is a very cool hilltop course with great views. 
 

However, if it was me I would be targeting a par 3 course course or two in Perthshire. 
 

There is a ton of cool golf on the lists below.
 

A link to some of the best cheap courses.

https://Not allowed Per Todaysgolfer's UK request/courses/best/cheap-golf-courses/

 

An under £60 list

 

https://www.todays-golfer.com/courses/best/golf-courses-under-60-gb-ireland/

Thanks!

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

Just a quick note on Fortrose - great little track, and really can be a decent test if you play it back at all - but you can really fly around that place.  It's not too long and tee boxes aren't far from greens.  I wouldn't be shocked to see a member's four ball make it around there in a touch over 3 hours.

 

When I was out, I did Fortrose and Dornoch in the same day and it was not all that bad, despite the the drive.  My wife and I even had enough time to stop and eat a sit-down lunch at the Highlands Larder in between.

[jatrain]

1 hour ago, Poor Mans Ty Webb said:

Just a quick note on Fortrose - great little track, and really can be a decent test if you play it back at all - but you can really fly around that place.  It's not too long and tee boxes aren't far from greens.  I wouldn't be shocked to see a member's four ball make it around there in a touch over 3 hours.

 

When I was out, I did Fortrose and Dornoch in the same day and it was not all that bad, despite the the drive.  My wife and I even had enough time to stop and eat a sit-down lunch at the Highlands Larder in between.

Thats great to know, thanks!

[Schley]

I was going to mention Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart), but then saw your budget. 400 for Narin is quite steep indeed, but would have been a nice add. I like Fortrose Rosemarkie, not sure their current visitor rates.

[jatrain]

On 5/9/2025 at 10:11 AM, Schley said:

I was going to mention Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart), but then saw your budget. 400 for Narin is quite steep indeed, but would have been a nice add. I like Fortrose Rosemarkie, not sure their current visitor rates.

Thanks for that!  Yeah, budget wise it works best for me to limit myself to two high fee courses and then fill in with interesting mid to lower fee.  I plan to make this a yearly trip so I don’t worry about missing must plays as I’ll be back. I also favor playing historic classics so for this trip Royal Dornoch and Cruden Bay wins out vs Castle Stuart.   This is what I’ve got planned:

 

Sunday:  off the plane round at Leven (cheap twilight rate)

Monday:  attempting Ballot/Single at Old Course (budget doesn’t count for Old), if can’t get on then New, if that doesn’t work out then Twilight round at Fortrose/Rosemarkie. 
Tuesday:  Royal Dornoch

Wednesday:  Tain (am) / Golspie (pm)

Thursday:  Brora (pm) / Durness (as part of some siteseeing if I’m up for all the driving )

Friday - Cruden Bay

 

I’m doing the whole thing (Old Course excluded) for right around $4000 all in.  

 

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, jatrain said:

Thanks for that!  Yeah, budget wise it works best for me to limit myself to two high fee courses and then fill in with interesting mid to lower fee.  I plan to make this a yearly trip so I don’t worry about missing must plays as I’ll be back. I also favor playing historic classics so for this trip Royal Dornoch and Cruden Bay wins out vs Castle Stuart.   This is what I’ve got planned:

 

Sunday:  off the plane round at Leven (cheap twilight rate)

Monday:  attempting Ballot/Single at Old Course (budget doesn’t count for Old), if can’t get on then New, if that doesn’t work out then Twilight round at Fortrose/Rosemarkie. 
Tuesday:  Royal Dornoch

Wednesday:  Tain (am) / Golspie (pm)

Thursday:  Brora (pm) / Durness (as part of some siteseeing if I’m up for all the driving )

Friday - Cruden Bay

 

I’m doing the whole thing (Old Course excluded) for right around $4000 all in.  

 

Looking forward to reading about your experience at Durness!

[jatrain]

53 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Looking forward to reading about your experience at Durness!

Me too.  I had read about it but your mention and a couple of YouTube vids pushed me to add it to the list.

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, jatrain said:

Me too.  I had read about it but your mention and a couple of YouTube vids pushed me to add it to the list.

As cool as the course is, the dunes land across the beach would be the most incredible and amazing location for 9 more holes!

[SairFecht]

15 hours ago, jatrain said:

Thursday:  Brora (pm) / Durness (as part of some siteseeing if I’m up for all the driving )

Friday - Cruden Bay

 

 

 

It really is a hell of a lot of driving to go from Brora to Durness and all the way back to Cruden Bay after an afternoon round of golf in Brora,

If you're planning another trip to Scotland I'd look to do Durness then and look for something to do between Brora and Cruden Bay.

[El Gringo]

1 hour ago, SairFecht said:

It really is a hell of a lot of driving to go from Brora to Durness and all the way back to Cruden Bay after an afternoon round of golf in Brora,

If you're planning another trip to Scotland I'd look to do Durness then and look for something to do between Brora and Cruden Bay.

I agree. It’s gotta be a solid 2 hours to Durness then something well over 4 hours from Durness to Cruden Bay.
 

I would seriously look into playing Covesea and maybe Rosehearty on the way to Cruden Bay. Maybe even the St Olaf course as the second game as it’s a freebie when the big course is booked. 

[jatrain]

6 hours ago, SairFecht said:

It really is a hell of a lot of driving to go from Brora to Durness and all the way back to Cruden Bay after an afternoon round of golf in Brora,

If you're planning another trip to Scotland I'd look to do Durness then and look for something to do between Brora and Cruden Bay.

I’m not going Durness straight to Cruden Bay.  
 

I’m based in Tain, Durness would be a Thursday morning round IF I decide to site see around the highlands (I get that it’s a couple of hours over there).  But it’s definitely not set in stone. 
 

Brora is a twilight round on Thursday.  Thursday night I’m still in Tain. 
 

Friday morning drive over to Cruden Bay, play, then stay in Dundee before flying out of Edinburgh Saturday.   I’m aware that’s a lot of driving the last day but I’ve got to go South and I decided that tacking on an extra hour or so to my drive time to play Cruden was worth it.  

[hammergolf]

On 5/11/2025 at 12:12 PM, jatrain said:

I’m not going Durness straight to Cruden Bay.  
 

I’m based in Tain, Durness would be a Thursday morning round IF I decide to site see around the highlands (I get that it’s a couple of hours over there).  But it’s definitely not set in stone. 
 

Brora is a twilight round on Thursday.  Thursday night I’m still in Tain. 
 

Friday morning drive over to Cruden Bay, play, then stay in Dundee before flying out of Edinburgh Saturday.   I’m aware that’s a lot of driving the last day but I’ve got to go South and I decided that tacking on an extra hour or so to my drive time to play Cruden was worth it.  

Part of the deal with Durness IS the drive up through the highlands. Some beautiful sites to see on the way as well. 

[jatrain]

18 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Part of the deal with Durness IS the drive up through the highlands. Some beautiful sites to see on the way as well. 

That’s my thinking as well.  I purposely did a late round at Brora so I could have a morning/ early afternoon to explore.  Adding a quick nine in what appears to be a super cool little course is icing on the cake.  
 

I think the driving is what concerns people but (1) I’ve experienced it on my last trip to Scotland so I know what to expect (road and time wise) and (2) I grew up in the country in the middle of nowhere.  It was an 1 3/4 drive to go to the mall, grocery store other than Walmart, etc.  So roadtrips like that are just what we do. 

[S Waldo]

My father and I are playing Royal Dornoch at 11am the first week of September. Do you think we'd have time to head up to Brora for a late afternoon round? I checked Brora's website and the last tee time is at 4pm. Looks like sunset would be around 9:30pm. Appreciate the help!

[jatrain]

In my limited Scottish golf experience I’ve never had a round take more than 4 hour.  Maps say 45 minutes between Dornoch and Brora, but driving there always seems to take longer than you expect.  
 

So it seems to be cutting it pretty close but maybe doable. 

[scott_Donald]

40 minutes ago, jatrain said:

In my limited Scottish golf experience I’ve never had a round take more than 4 hour.  Maps say 45 minutes between Dornoch and Brora, but driving there always seems to take longer than you expect.  
 

So it seems to be cutting it pretty close but maybe doable. 

 

on Tuesday my dads friend and I were chipping pre round and there was an American with members only gear on so my dads friend being very chatting; was like, how did you get that stuff?! turns out he has been a country member for 10 years. we as a 3 ball took 3 hours 35 minutes to play, his group of four(3 guests all American with caddies) teed off 20 minutes behind us. When we were on 12th fairway(par 5 second shot) they were just teeing off on 7, there is no way they made it round in less than 5 hours.

 

best bit was my dads friend asked him what he did for a living and he replied charity work; dads friend then said ah great do you work in the shop or delivery van? and he then took severe offence and said I run charities, I am a retired lawyer from a very big law firm. I just laughed so hard inside

 

He seemed a nice guy the rest of the conversation. ham just glad we teed off in front of them.

[El Gringo]

If playing during visitor times at Dornoch absolutely don’t count on a 4 hour round and plan accordingly.

[hammergolf]

On 5/14/2025 at 2:27 PM, jatrain said:

That’s my thinking as well.  I purposely did a late round at Brora so I could have a morning/ early afternoon to explore.  Adding a quick nine in what appears to be a super cool little course is icing on the cake.  
 

I think the driving is what concerns people but (1) I’ve experienced it on my last trip to Scotland so I know what to expect (road and time wise) and (2) I grew up in the country in the middle of nowhere.  It was an 1 3/4 drive to go to the mall, grocery store other than Walmart, etc.  So roadtrips like that are just what we do. 

Agreed. I know many find driving stressful across the pond, but it find it relaxing taking in the scenery and topography. I kid my friend in Ireland all the time about driving. He’s lived there his whole life and rarely drives more than 1 hour in any direction. He lives just outside Limerick and until I visited him two years ago he had never driven the 3 hours to play Carne, Enniscrone, Donegal, or County Sligo. I told him if I lived there I would be driving somewhere every weekend to play the great courses they have.

[hammergolf]

21 hours ago, S Waldo said:

My father and I are playing Royal Dornoch at 11am the first week of September. Do you think we'd have time to head up to Brora for a late afternoon round? I checked Brora's website and the last tee time is at 4pm. Looks like sunset would be around 9:30pm. Appreciate the help!

It is a little tight but you should be ok as long as you get around in 4hrs at Dornoch which is normal. It’s only a 30min drive between the two so plenty of daylight. Best bet is to send Brora a email and let know you’ll be coming from Dornoch and maybe they can give you a bit of a buffer.