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.
Also available to play as part of Royal Dornoch Golf Club is the Struie Course. This 18 hole course offers a challenging yet enjoyable links experience, with undulating fairways, well-placed bunkers, and stunning coastal views. Known for its playability, it provides a true test for golfers of all levels while showcasing the natural beauty of the Highlands.
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.
Cabot Highlands
We’re proud partners of Cabot Highlands, 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.  Experience their newest addition, Old Petty, an 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Doak, winding through natural contours, hillsides, and scenic waterfront views.
At just over an hour’s drive from Dornoch, we highly recommend that our guests make the journey to play the two courses at Cabot Highlands.
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.