Top 10 courses in the Scottish Highlands and Aberdeenshire

Location: Dornoch, Sutherland | Designer: Old Tom Morris, George Duncan and others | Par: 70 | Length: 6,799 yards | Founded: 1877 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Ranked the best course in the Highlands according to Top 100 Courses in 2026, Royal Dornoch is one of the most revered golf courses in the world. Set along the north shore of the Dornoch Firth, this legendary links is famed for its natural routing, raised plateau greens and stunning coastal setting.

What makes Dornoch so special is its purity. The Old Tom Morris design feels as though it has always belonged to the landscape, with holes flowing naturally across firm, fast-running turf and through subtle dunes. It rewards imagination, control and smart course management rather than simply power.

For many golfers, Royal Dornoch is the ultimate Highland pilgrimage. Remote, atmospheric and wonderfully authentic, it delivers links golf in its most timeless form.

Highlight: The raised greens are one of Royal Dornoch’s defining features. Approaches must be precise, and anything slightly offline can fall away into difficult recovery positions, making short-game creativity essential throughout the round.

Key features:

• One of the world’s most celebrated links courses
• Spectacular setting beside the Dornoch Firth
• Famous for raised plateau greens and natural bunkering
• A true bucket-list experience for serious golfers

Bonus fact: Despite its global reputation, Royal Dornoch has never hosted The Open Championship, largely due to its remote location rather than any lack of quality.

Location: Inverness | Designer: Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse | Par: 72 | Length: 7,009 yards | Opened: 2009 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Castle Stuart, now part of Cabot Highlands, is a modern classic overlooking the Moray Firth. Opened in 2009, it quickly established itself as one of Scotland’s finest contemporary links courses, combining playability with breathtaking scenery.

Unlike some of the older, tighter links in the region, Castle Stuart offers generous fairways and strategic options from the tee. The challenge comes from angles, approach play, clever green complexes and the ever-present coastal breeze.

With panoramic views across the water towards the Black Isle, Castle Stuart delivers a visually stunning and highly enjoyable round that fits perfectly into a Highlands golf itinerary and is no surprise it was Top 100 Courses 2nd best course in the Highlands in 2026.

Highlight: The infinity-style greens and cliff-edge setting give the course a dramatic visual identity, with several holes appearing to merge seamlessly into the Moray Firth.

Key features:

• Modern links design by Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse
• Spectacular views over the Moray Firth
• Wide fairways with strategic angles and approach options
• Former host of the Scottish Open

Bonus fact: Phil Mickelson beat South Africa Brandan Grace in a play off here to win the Scottish Open in 2013.

Location: Nairn | Designer: Andrew Simpson, Old Tom Morris, James Braid and others | Par: 71 | Length: 6,832 yards | Founded: 1887 | Course type: Links

Why play here? The Championship Course at Nairn Golf Club is one of the finest seaside links in Scotland, offering views over the Moray Firth from every hole. It is a beautifully traditional course, where firm fairways, gorse, pot bunkers and coastal winds combine to create a strategic and hugely enjoyable test.

Nairn is often praised for the quality of its conditioning and the charm of its routing. The course asks golfers to shape shots, think carefully about position and control distance into fast, true greens.

Its location makes it a superb addition to any Highlands golf itinerary, especially when paired with Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart at Cabot Highlands.

Highlight: The opening holes run close to the shoreline, immediately setting the tone for a round where the sea, wind and classic links turf are ever-present.

Key features:

• Traditional Scottish links with sea views from every hole
• Fast-running fairways and excellent greens
• Strong championship pedigree and tournament history
• Ideal location for a Highlands golf tour

Bonus fact: Nairn has hosted both the Walker Cup and the Curtis Cup, underlining its reputation as a serious championship venue.

Location: Inverness | Designer: Tom Doak and Clyde Johnson | Par: 72 | Opened: 2026 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Only opened in 2026, Old Petty has already raced up the rankings to 4th in Top 100 Courses best courses in the Highlands. The exciting new second course at Cabot Highlands, adds another world-class links experience to one of Scotland’s most spectacular golf destinations. Designed by Tom Doak alongside Clyde Johnson, the course sits beside Castle Stuart and overlooks the Moray Firth, offering dramatic Highland scenery throughout.

The layout has been created to work naturally with the land, with wide playing corridors, strategic angles and plenty of variety from hole to hole. It feels different to Castle Stuart, giving golfers another reason to extend their stay and make Cabot Highlands a true multi-course stop.

With coastal views, historic surroundings and a modern links design from one of golf’s most respected architects, Old Petty is already one of the most talked-about new courses in Scotland.

Highlight: The course enjoys views of Castle Stuart and the Moray Firth, with standout holes including the par-3 6th beside the water, the coastal par-5 15th and a shared central fairway area on the 1st and 18th holes.

Key features:

• New Tom Doak-designed links at Cabot Highlands
• Officially opened for public play in May 2026
• Spectacular views over the Moray Firth
• Complements Castle Stuart to create a two-course Highland destination

Bonus fact: Old Petty takes its name from the nearby Old Petty Church and sits on land rich in Highland history, with archaeological discoveries made during development adding another layer of interest to the site.

Location: Aberdeen | Designer: Archie Simpson, Robert Simpson and James Braid | Par: 71 | Length: approx. 6,918 yards | Founded: 1780 | Course type: Links

Why play here? The Balgownie Course at Royal Aberdeen is one of Scotland’s great historic links. Founded in 1780, Royal Aberdeen is among the oldest golf clubs in the world, and its championship course remains a stern and authentic test of seaside golf.

The front nine is particularly outstanding, routed through towering dunes beside the North Sea. It is dramatic, demanding and visually striking, with holes that feel carved directly from the natural landscape. The back nine turns inland and often plays into the wind, asking serious questions of ball-striking, patience and control.

Royal Aberdeen combines history, pedigree and challenge in equal measure. It is a must-play for golfers visiting the north-east of Scotland.

Highlight: The opening stretch is one of the finest in Scottish golf, with classic links holes running through natural dunes and demanding accuracy from the very first tee shot.

Key features:

• One of the oldest golf clubs in the world
• Classic out-and-back links beside the North Sea
• Hosted major amateur and professional events
• A demanding championship test with exceptional heritage

Bonus fact: Royal Aberdeen hosted the 2014 Scottish Open, where Justin Rose claimed victory before going on to win again the following week on the PGA Tour.

Location: Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire | Designer: Old Tom Morris, Archie Simpson and Tom Simpson | Par: 70 | Length: 6,609 yards | Founded: 1899 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Cruden Bay is one of the most characterful and memorable links courses in Scotland. Set along the Aberdeenshire coast, it offers a wonderfully dramatic golfing experience full of blind shots, rumpled fairways, elevated tees and spectacular sea views.

This is not a modern, manufactured test. Cruden Bay is quirky, natural and full of personality, with holes that live long in the memory. It is the kind of course that invites creativity and rewards golfers who embrace the fun and unpredictability of traditional links golf.

For many visitors, Cruden Bay is a highlight of any trip to north-east Scotland.

Key features:

• One of Scotland’s most distinctive and dramatic links
• Spectacular views over the North Sea
• Full of character, elevation change and memorable holes
• A must-play for golfers who love traditional links golf

Bonus fact: The course sits close to Slains Castle, which is often linked with the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Highlight: The par-4 14th, known as “Bilin’ O’ Fowls”, is one of the course’s most famous holes, playing through dramatic dunes and capturing the unique spirit of Cruden Bay.

Location: Aberdeen | Designer: Archie Simpson and James Braid | Par: 71 | Length: approx. 6,516 yards | Founded: 1909 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Superb and sometimes underrated Murcar Links, located just north of Aberdeen sits closely to Royal Aberdeen and Trump International. The course delivers a classic links experience, with natural dunes, heather, sea views and fast-running turf. It may not have the same global profile as some of its neighbours, but it has long been respected as a serious test of golf.

Murcar is particularly enjoyable for players who appreciate variety. Elevated tees, strong par 4s and shifting coastal winds mean no two rounds feel quite the same.

Highlight: The stretch of holes closest to the shoreline showcases Murcar at its best, combining natural beauty with demanding shot-making.

Key features:

• Classic championship links on the Aberdeenshire coast
• Designed by Archie Simpson and later refined by James Braid
• Excellent views, natural dunes and strong green complexes
• A brilliant partner course for Royal Aberdeen

Bonus fact: Murcar has hosted a number of national amateur and professional events, helping cement its reputation as one of Scotland’s strongest links courses.

Location: Balmedie, Aberdeenshire | Designer: Martin Hawtree | Par: 72 | Length: 7,428 yards | Opened: 2012 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Trump International Golf Links Scotland, also known as the Old Course, is one of the most visually dramatic modern links courses in the UK. Routed through huge dunes on the Menie Estate north of Aberdeen, it delivers a bold and memorable championship golf experience.

The course is big, scenic and demanding, with holes framed by towering sand hills and views across the North Sea. It offers a strong test from the back tees, but multiple teeing options make it playable for a range of golfers.

For those building an Aberdeenshire golf itinerary, Trump International adds a modern, high-impact contrast to the historic links at Royal Aberdeen, Murcar and Cruden Bay.

Highlight: The dramatic dune corridors give many holes a secluded, amphitheatre-like feel, creating one of the most striking visual settings in Scottish golf.

Key features:

• Modern championship links designed by Martin Hawtree
• Set among towering dunes beside the North Sea
• Multiple tee options for different ability levels
• One of the most visually impressive courses in Aberdeenshire

Bonus fact: The course follows a traditional two-loop routing, helping maintain the feel of classic links golf despite its modern design.

Location: Lossiemouth, Moray | Designer: Old Tom Morris | Par: 71 | Length: 6,717 yards | Founded: 1889 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Moray Golf Club’s Old Course is a classic links laid out by Old Tom Morris in Lossiemouth. It is traditional, strategic and full of charm, offering a true Scottish links experience along the Moray Firth.

The course features firm fairways, revetted bunkers, gorse, subtle undulations and excellent greens. It is a strong test without feeling overly punishing, making it a hugely enjoyable option for golfers who appreciate old-school architecture and natural seaside golf.

Moray is also a great stop for those travelling between the Highlands and Aberdeenshire, adding depth and variety to a north-east Scotland golf tour.

Highlight: The finishing hole is one of the best in the region, playing back towards the clubhouse with out of bounds and bunkering adding pressure to the final tee shot.

Key features:

• Historic Old Tom Morris links
• Traditional design with revetted bunkers and fast turf
• Excellent closing stretch beside the Moray coastline
• Ideal addition to a Highlands and Moray golf itinerary

Bonus fact: Moray Golf Club has two 18-hole courses, the Old and the New, giving visitors the option to extend their stay and enjoy a full day of golf in Lossiemouth.

Location: Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire | Designer: Graeme Webster | Par: 70 | Length: 7,000 yards | Opened: 1998 | Course type: Parkland

Why play here? Meldrum House Golf Club offers something different from the region’s famous links. Set within a historic Aberdeenshire estate, the Knights Course is a polished parkland layout surrounded by mature woodland, water features and views of the 800-year-old manor house.

It is a strong test from the back tees, but with multiple tee options it remains enjoyable for a wide range of golfers. Water comes into play on several holes, and the course rewards accuracy, smart positioning and confident approach play.

For golf groups looking to mix links golf with a luxury stay-and-play experience, Meldrum House is an excellent choice.

Highlight: The estate setting gives the course a completely different atmosphere from the coastal links nearby, making it a relaxing and scenic addition to an Aberdeenshire itinerary.

Key features:

• Championship-style parkland course on a historic estate
• Designed by Graeme Webster
• Water features, mature woodland and strategic bunkering
• Excellent stay-and-play option in Aberdeenshire

Bonus fact: The Knights Course is set across 240 acres of the Meldrum Estate, with the hotel and manor house adding a luxury country-house feel to the experience.

• Best time to visit: April to October is the main golf season, course conditions a brilliant and you are guaranteed plenty of daylight.

• Where to stay: Popular bases include the Highlands for a scenic golf trip, Aberdeen for access to the region’s top links courses, and Oldmeldrum for a luxury stay-and-play experience.

• Booking tips:

• Plan early, as visitor tee times at the most sought-after courses can be limited in summer.

• Build your route carefully to reduce travel time, mix historic links with modern links and parkland golf, and allow for changing weather, which is all part of the Scottish golf experience.

Q: What is the best golf course in the Scottish Highlands? A: Royal Dornoch is widely regarded as the standout course in the Scottish Highlands, while Castle Stuart at Cabot Highlands and Nairn Golf Club are also essential plays.

Q: What are the best golf courses near Aberdeen? A: Royal Aberdeen’s Balgownie Course, Murcar Links, Trump International Golf Links Scotland and Cruden Bay are among the best courses near Aberdeen.

Q: Can I combine the Highlands and Aberdeenshire in one golf trip? A: Yes. Many golfers combine Royal Dornoch, Nairn, Castle Stuart, Moray, Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay, Murcar and Trump International in one north-east Scotland itinerary, usually splitting accommodation between Inverness, Dornoch and Aberdeen.

Q: When is the best time to play golf in the Scottish Highlands and Aberdeenshire? A: May to September usually offers the best mix of weather, daylight and course conditions, while April and October can provide good value with cooler, more changeable conditions.

Q: Is this region suitable for a golf tour? A: Absolutely. The Scottish Highlands and Aberdeenshire are ideal for a multi-course golf tour, combining world-famous links, modern championship layouts, historic clubs and luxury stay-and-play options.

The Scottish Highlands and Aberdeenshire offer one of the most rewarding golf experiences in the UK. From Royal Dornoch and Royal Aberdeen to Cruden Bay, Castle Stuart and Meldrum House, this region delivers outstanding variety, scenery and championship-quality golf.

Whether you’re chasing bucket-list links, planning a Highland road trip or building an Aberdeen golf itinerary, the north-east of Scotland has everything needed for an unforgettable golf trip. If you're wondering about how to strcuture your trip to the Highlands visit our golfers guide to the Highlands and Aberdeenshire.