5 Golf Courses to Play in the Scottish Highlands
I’ve been traveling to Scotland for nearly a decade on our Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor, guiding travelers on our popular Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands by Scenic Rail journey. For many years, golf wasn’t part of my agenda—I was there for castles, landscapes, history, and rail journeys. But in the last few trips, I’ve managed to squeeze in a few memorable rounds, and Highland golf has completely won me over.
One important thing to know about golf in Scotland: it is, for the most part, a links game. Links courses are typically built along sandy coastlines, where wind is always part of the challenge. Fairways are firm and fast, the grass is short, and the game favors strategy and creativity over raw power. Shot placement, course management, and adapting to changing conditions matter far more than distance.
In choosing these five Highland golf courses, I also considered value. While premier courses like Royal Dornoch can cost well over $500 per round in peak season with a caddie, there are outstanding links courses nearby—such as Tain—that can sometimes be played for as little as $40. Together, these courses showcase the best of Highland golf, from world-famous links to wonderfully accessible hidden gems.
Tain Golf Club
Tain may be my favorite all-around golf course in the Scottish Highlands. Located about an hour by train from Inverness, Tain Golf Course is a classic links layout set along the shores of the Dornoch Firth. Designed by Old Tom Morris, it features gentle undulations, firm fairways, and well-placed bunkers that reward thoughtful play. Stunning coastal views, seabirds, and wide Highland skies create a memorable setting. Playable for all skill levels, Tain offers a strategic challenge and a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere that keeps golfers coming back.
Golspie Golf Club
Golspie Golf Course is a traditional Highland links set along the North Sea coast, with the dramatic presence of Ben Bhraggie rising behind it. Established in 1888, the course blends classic links design with heather, gorse, and natural dunes that demand accuracy off the tee. Coastal winds ensure that no two rounds are ever the same. Firm fairways and well-defended greens favor precision and creativity rather than power. Golspie is widely admired for its friendly club culture, scenic beauty, and authentic Scottish golf experience.
Royal Dornoch Golf Club
When I played this course in September 2025, I was thrilled to par the first two holes—let’s just say the rest of the round is best left untold. Often ranked among the top five golf courses in the world, Royal Dornoch is one of Scotland’s most revered and iconic links courses. Founded in 1877 and granted royal status in 1906, it sits along the stunning coastline of the Dornoch Firth. The course is known for its undulating fairways, strategic bunkering, and fast, true greens that test even elite players. Unpredictable Highland winds add to the challenge, ensuring every round is unique. Royal Dornoch’s combination of world-class design, rich history, and natural beauty makes it a bucket-list course for golfers everywhere. Coming away from this golf course, I would say it is not necessarily a "power" golf course where long hitters make the difference. For me, it was all about choices and decisions. Just about every hole presents the ball striker with different options on how to play the layout which makes it such an interesting, engaging and fun course.
Brora Golf Course
Brora Golf Course is a wonderfully traditional Scottish links, famous for its grazing sheep and wonderfully untamed character. Founded in 1891 and refined by James Braid, Brora offers firm fairways, natural dunes, and subtle contours that reward imaginative shot-making. The opening holes run beside the sea, delivering spectacular views and ever-changing wind conditions. Its greens are small, fast, and deceptively challenging. Brora feels like a step back into golf’s golden age and is beloved for its charm, authenticity, and pure links experience.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club is a classic Scottish links course set on a narrow peninsula along the Moray Firth. Founded in 1793, it is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world and rich in tradition. The layout features tight fairways, natural dunes, and persistent coastal winds that demand accuracy and smart decision-making. Golfers are rewarded with beautiful water views—and occasionally dolphin sightings near the famous Chanonry Point. Friendly, scenic, and historic, Fortrose and Rosemarkie offers an unforgettable Highland links round.
Of course there are other unforgettable golf courses in the Scottish Highlands. These however, are personal favorites of The Traveling Professor.
Want to play golf in Scotland? Contact The Traveling Professor and we can set it all up for you.