I am delighted to provide my recommended itinerary for a golf holiday in the Scottish Highlands next September,
The price is based on playing both courses at Royal Dornoch and staying there, and also playing Cabot Highlands (aka Castle Stuart).
It’s a quiet but immensely beautiful region with an increasing reputation for good food. The refurbished Marine & Lawn Hotel at Dornoch Station is a luxurious and thoughtful hotel overlooking the links. Now owned by Americans, there’s been a lot of money invested in the hotel but they’ve kept the Scottish look and feel with rich, natural materials. The group own a few hotels now and they always put on a good show.
Cabot Highlands is the newest course but has already hosted the Scottish Open and is ranked in the World Top 100; it features a few raised tees and greens and most of the holes are invisible from the others. Open this year, Old Petty is Cabot’s sister course designed by Tom Doak – I’ve yet to play it but have played a few of Doak’s links designs. Royal Dornoch Championship (pictured above) is of course a brilliant design, rated in the World Top 20. Arguably founded over 400 years ago, Old Tom Morris, John H Taylor, Donald Ross have all had their input. It’s a surprisingly uncomplicated and a relatively compact design but perfect. Royal Dornoch Struie is over 100 years old and rated in Scotland’s Top 50 – it’s quite tight but short at 6200 yards. Struie is an ideal loosener for your first day.
Pictured below is the hotel facade, a Superior Sea View bedroom and the hotel restaurant
