Golf Courses in Scotland

East Sutherland is home to some of the best golf courses in Scotland. With a variety of courses to suit all abilities and preferences, you won’t need to look far to find the course of your dreams. With a legacy that spans over six centuries, look no further than the Highlands to find legendary links, parkland courses, coastal courses, historic clubs and much more. 

So, visit the home of golf to play some of the best Highland golf courses today. Tee off… this is golfing heaven!

Royal Dornoch Golf Club*

The Royal Dornoch is a timeless golf course, visited and celebrated by golfers from around the world and often quoted as a must-play course. Plus, with the first tee located just 50 yards from the hotel, it’s quite possibly the shortest distance anyone will have to travel to play a round in the morning.

The immaculate  rolling greens of Royal Dornoch are legendary with the  first records of golf being played on the links dating back to the 16th century.

The course has been much loved throughout the years and admired just as much for its technical difficulty, as it is for its stunning coastal views across the Dornoch Firth and Sutherland hills. Golfers can make their way round the strategic links made up of raised and plateaued greens, guarded by deep bunkers, whilst stopping every once in a while, to breathe in the fresh sea air and bright yellow coconut scented gorse. 

After a round or two, players can visit our bar and restaurant to enjoy delicious, locally sourced food and drink with views across the rolling greens. The perfect spot to reminisce about the day's play.

*no longer taking bookings for the Championship course in 2022.

Castle Stuart Golf Links

We’re proud partners of Castle Stuart Golf Links, home of the Scottish Open winner of many awards by Golf Magazine and Golf Digest.  This internationally recognised golf course is set against a historic backdrop, with the links overlooking the Moray Firth, Kessock Bridge, Alturlie Point, Ben Wyvis and the 17th Century Castle Stuart itself.

At just over an hour’s drive from Dornoch, we highly recommend that our guests make the journey to play at Castle Stuart Golf Links. 

Brora Golf Club

Renowned for the texture of their greens, Brora Golf Course is a classic Highland golf course that shouldn’t be missed. Established in 1891, the 18-hole layout was re-designed by five times Open Champion, James Braid, in 1923.

Presenting all the attributes of Scottish seaside links, the layout of Brora is a classic. An easy opening hole, a short hole facing each cardinal point of the compass, a hole you can't reach in two shots and the last green under the clubhouse window. You’re guaranteed to have used every club in your bag before you reach the end of the course! 

Overall, the course is a golfing holiday treat, but perhaps the most overriding feature is the warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere – the perfect place to play by the sea!

Whilst you’re there, why not visit our sister hotel, the Royal Marine Hotel Brora, a five-minute walk from the club, for a delicious locally sourced lunch? 

Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club

‘A gem of a course by the sea’, ‘perhaps the best jewel in the Highland golfing crown’ and ‘a unique course with special character to be found nowhere else’ have all been said to describe the legendary Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club.

Located just 45 minutes from Dornoch, Fortrose is a historic course dating back to 1702, making it the 15th oldest club in the world. Re-designed by James Braid in 1932, this course welcomes golfers from across the world and regularly hosts national championships. 

Players have the choice of four different tees, although all contain deceptively fast greens with tight fairways and strategically placed bunkers throughout. It’s easy to get lost in the game but be sure to pause and take in the beautiful coastal scenery and spot a dolphin colony or two if you’re lucky.

Golspie Golf Club

Laid out along the scenic north shore of the Dornoch Firth, Golspie course offers a challenging mix of sea-side links, heath and parkland, against the backdrop of Ben Bhraggie.

Golspie is an easy-walking, humps and hollows links course. Paradise and The Lochy (9th & 10th holes) are favoured by many golfers, as is the 16th hole, The Cairngorms, where the well-guarded, two-tiered par 3 green, created by James Braid, sits beyond a deep hollow.

Tain Golf Club

Overlooking the Dornoch Firth, Tain arguably offers one of the best settings in the Highlands for a round of golf. With the sea on one side and the backdrop of the mountains behind, every day brings a different aspect to this challenging and beautiful course.

Designed in 1890 by Tom Morris, the layout of the holes guarantees an interesting round for beginners or experts. 

The sheltered location of the course ensures favorable weather conditions for most of the year. However, winter greens are seldom used at Tain so we encourage guests to play another round at the Royal Dornoch, who rarely close, on these occasions. 

Strathpeffer Golf Club

Strathpeffer Golf Club is one of the oldest golf courses in Scotland, having first opened for play in 1888. In its early years, it existed as a nine-hole course before being extended to 18 holes in 1896 with a little help from the legendary Tom Morris. A great course for beginners, the fruit of Tom’s labour is a comparatively short layout that makes up for in enjoyment what it lacks in yards.

The scenery is breathtaking with panoramic views to enjoy across the Black Isle and down towards Peffery Valley. The opening hole is spectacular with the highest tee to green drop in Scottish golf. It is truly scintillating stuff - what a way to start your round.