Pick Your Must-Play Courses from the 2026 Golf Tournaments in Scotland
13/01/2026
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There’s something distinctly magical about Scottish Highlands golf.
Perhaps it’s the eerie isolation. Maybe it’s the illustrious heritage. Or it could be the staggering scenery, dramatic landscapes and windswept coastlines.
But from Royal Dornoch to Castle Stuart and Nairn, the Highlands offers you breathtaking golfing experiences that few places in Scotland match.
Yet, as you’re about to discover, this untamed wilderness promises you so much more than a golf trip.
But we’ll start with the courses…
Morris. Braid. Hanse. Doak.
Over the centuries, Scotland’s northernmost region inspired virtuoso designers to create an unrivalled collection of classic and modern links masterpieces. And it’s waiting for you.
Plan your adventure with our top 7 Scottish Highlands golf courses.
Est: 1890 | Par: 70 | Length: 6,404 yards
What a wonderful place to begin your Scottish Highlands golf tour.
Steeped in history, nestled between vibrant broom and gorse, and designed by Old Tom Morris, Tain Golf Club is an absolute delight.
Tranquil, sheltered and picturesque, the setting alone makes the journey worthwhile. Imagine sublime seascapes and moody mountain backdrops.
Then you play this classic links with a quirky twist.
Overlooking the stunning Dornoch Firth, Tain mixes linksland and heathland holes for a challenging, varied and joyous experience.
Prioritise precision over power.
From forced carries to bunkers, heather, burns, blinds and doglegs, hazards abound along the winding River Tain.
Want signature holes?
Look no further than 11 (Alps) and the back-to-back par-3s on 16 (Kelag) and 17 (Black Bridge).
Est: 1891 | Par: 70 | Length: 6,211 yards
Just 20 miles north of Tain, along the scenic shores of Sutherland, you’ll find a true links layout beloved by legends.
Welcome to the rugged, raw and remote Brora Golf Club.
Even for Scottish Highlands golf courses, this beautifully natural James Braid jewel feels like the edge of the world.
In fact, only electric fencing separates you from the grazing herds on your out-and-back romp.
Don’t be deceived by the modest yardage and lack of dunes.
Brora brims with humps, hollows, bunkers, and subtle angles that never stop testing your approach game.
The front nine takes you along the crashing North Sea – the panoramic views are mesmerising.
Meanwhile, the back side veers inland across wickedly undulating turf.
Pure golfing pleasure.
Est: 1877 | Par: 70 | Length: 6,265 yards
There are golf tours in Scotland. And then there are life-changing pilgrimages.
Unquestionably, Royal Dornoch is the latter.
There’s something almost spiritual – an essence – about this mesmerising monument to Scottish Highlands golf.
You feel it from the moment you arrive.
On paper, Royal Dornoch is a standard out-and-back links design.
But its intoxicating mix of eerie isolation, savage beauty, exquisite turf, and creative holes elevates the Championship Course above almost all others.
Framed by blazing gorse, white sands and sapphire waves, crumpled fairways ripple along the windswept Firth in a flash of colour.
Though generous from the tee, those raised plateau greens await you.
As such, a deft touch often trumps the bump-and-run on this timeless cathedral of golf.
Est: 2009 | Par: 72 | Length: 7,009 yards
The 21st Century ushered in a new golden age of golf course architecture across Scotland.
But unlike previous eras, America provided the creative spark.
In the ancient Scottish Highlands, Castle Stuart exemplifies this modern collaboration.
An hour south of Dornoch, just outside Inverness, it’s the blockbuster original in your two-part saga at Cabot Highlands.
Castle Stuart Golf Links debuted in 2009 to universal acclaim.
Straightaway, it became a global name by hosting four Scottish Opens.
Mark Parsinen, who built Kingsbarns, and Gil Hanse created a classic championship course for the contemporary player.
Castle Stuart offers full-blown drama and infinite grandeur along the Moray Firth.
Expect panoramic tees, rolling fairways, wild bunkers, and infinity greens from this big, bold, beautiful beast.
Est: 2026 | Par: 71 | Length: 7,075 yards
Already, Castle Stuart ranks among the top 10 Scottish golf courses. That’s a tough act to follow.
Enter Tom Doak.
In 2022, Cabot purchased this glorious 420-acre property and announced a second course for the renamed Cabot Highlands.
Doak, who crafted St Patrick’s Links, would design Old Petty.
He delivered a showstopping sequel.
Old Petty at Cabot Highlands is an elegant and imaginative links course that rewards creative shot-making.
Eccentrically routed to every point on the compass, you play through rolling hillsides, across open terrain and along the Moray Firth.
It’s surprising, exciting and intriguing.
From one mind-bending hole to the next, you encounter unspoiled splendour and rich history, including the storied Castle, Old Petty Church and a red-roofed bothy.
Est: 1888 | Par: 71 | Length: 6,085 yards
After the classics, Cabot Highlands served you a mouthwatering 36-hole feast of modern-day Scottish Highlands golf.
Now, for your next course, another ancient wonder.
Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club, which dates back to 1793, sits on a narrow strip of land called Chanonry Point.
Eventually, James Braid remade this tricky little links that juts into the Moray Firth.
The seaside setting, a hotspot for dolphins, is simply stunning.
That said, you’ll need your wits at Fortrose & Rosemarkie.
Surrounded by water on three sides and laden with thick gorse, hungry bunkers, blind approaches, and crafty greens, the tight, windblown track also happens to be divided by a road.
But that’s all part of the fun in the breathtaking Black Isle.
Est: 1887 | Par: 71 | Length: 6,832 yards
Finally, your Scottish Highlands golf itinerary winds around the Moray Firth on a 40-minute drive through endless dramatic scenery.
It’s 100% Scotland – like Narin Golf Club.
The prestigious Championship Course delivers a traditional links test devised by five generations of acclaimed architects.
Notably, Nairn has hosted all four major amateur championships.
Set on prime linksland, the first seven holes unfold along the picture-postcard beach before veering inland for unexpected twists and turns.
But every shot at Nairn reveals North Sea vistas.
Crucially, you must be unerring off the tee. Myriad bunkers, dunes and burns lurk on narrow, gorse-lined fairways.
Meanwhile, whether raised or hidden in hollows, the lightning-fast greens are equally demanding.
Remember to regroup in the iconic Bothy.
You’ve seen the remarkable courses. Next, let’s look at how your Scottish Highlands golf tour becomes a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Our itinerary features enchanting stays in the charming town of Dornoch and the bustling capital city.
Royal Golf Hotel offers stylish accommodations, culinary delights, and beachside tranquillity. Plus, it’s 50 yards from Royal Dornoch!
Then it’s on to Ness Walk. This award-winning riverside retreat is your gateway to Cabot Highlands and Inverness.
What about between rounds?
That’s when you explore the natural wonders, iconic landmarks and taste sensations that define the magical Scottish Highlands.
Here’s some inspiration:
In Tain, sample the single malts of the legendary Glenmorangie Distillery. Near Dornoch, pristine Portmahomack Beach is perfect for a relaxing swim or stroll.
Cawdor Castle (close to Nairn) is a 600-year-old fortress with a fascinating history. From Inverness, visit the eerie Loch Ness and uncover the story behind Scotland’s most infamous monster.
Below are answers to the most common questions about planning a Scottish Highlands golf trip from the United States or Canada.
If you want to know more, you can contact the IGT team here.
What is the best time of year for golf in the Scottish Highlands?
Any time between late April and early October is ideal for your Scottish Highlands golf trip. Thanks to excellent drainage and regional microclimates, links courses in Scotland are playable year-round.
April and October – the cooler shoulder seasons – are quieter and have more availability for the best tee times and hotels.
Peak season – June to August – offers the warmest weather, longest daylight hours, and best playing conditions.
How far in advance should I book my trip?
We recommend booking your Scottish Highlands golf tour 12-18 months in advance to guarantee your ideal tee times.
For example, every April, Royal Dornoch opens its visitor tee sheets for the following season. Additionally, with the arrival of new courses and hotels, the region is increasingly popular amongst travelling golfers.
How many days should I allow a Scottish Highland tour?
You should allow 8 nights for your vacation in the Scottish Highlands. This accounts for travel to and from Edinburgh Airport and 6 rounds. But we can add another round to your itinerary with a 36-hole day at Cabot Highlands.
Is it better to self-drive or use chauffeured transport?
A self-drive golf package is cheaper and offers more freedom. And we place you in hotels within 45 minutes of every course. However, the drive from Edinburgh Airport is 3.5 hours, and the region has many long, winding, single-track roads.
On the other hand, our dedicated driver guide ensures a seamless, stress-free journey from start to finish. We handle all airport pick-ups, drop-offs, and daily transfers. That way, between rounds, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning scenery.
What should I pack for my Scottish Highlands golf trip?
Scottish Highlands weather is predictably unpredictable. Four seasons in one hour is not uncommon! So you should hope for the best and pack for the worst.
We recommend:
Which airport is best for travelling to the Scottish Highlands?
Do I need a visa to travel to Scotland?
Though not a visa, you require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for permission to travel to Scotland.
The ETA is electronically linked to your passport and permits visits of up to six months. It costs £16 to apply online and typically takes three working days to process. Learn more here.
Instead of an ordinary golf trip, the Highlands offers you a soul-stirring pilgrimage to the Scotland of your imagination.
Ready to begin your journey? Contact the IGT Travel Planners.
We’ll design and deliver every detail of your dream itinerary, from premium tee times to luxurious accommodations, private transportation, dining reservations, and guided experiences.
Let’s make your golf travel dreams come true.
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Author: Tom Rooney
