Scottish Highlands /Aberdeen

[RJGraham3901]

Hi All,

I'm beginning to plan another golf trip back to Scotland and would love your expert advice.

 

We have already visited the Fife, East Lothian, and west coast on previous trips but are now looking to head North.

 

Our experience has been that the bucket list courses are obviously wonderful but sometimes the non-rota courses are the ones that leave a lasting impression. For example, I'll take prestwick and north berwick over the Old Course or Carnoustie any day (but I digress).

 

We are planning on heading to Dornoch and working our way down to Aberdeen. Dornoch, Brora, castle Stuart, Nairn, cruden bay, royal Aberdeen, and Trump are on the list, but any other input on courses like Nairn, Tain, fraserburgh, Murcar, peterhead, moray, or others that you have input on? We really are only interested in links courses.

 

We typically play 36 holes every other day so I have room for a few more courses.

 

Thank you for your help!

[raynorfan1]

Not Links (and yes, I read that you're only interested in Links courses...), but Boat of Garten is worth considering.

[thecraw]

Tain and Golspie are both great wee courses. I recommend them both. Moray is a far better course than Nairn in my opinion, much more interesting and a better challenge. Nairn is a beautiful setting to play golf but just didn't float my boat at all, 18 mediocre holes with no standout golf holes. Others rave about it so probably best you sample it for yourself.

 

Quirky, look into Fortrose & Rosemarkie.

 

www.golspiegolfclub.co.uk

 

www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

 

I believe Fraserburgh is very good but never played it myself.

 

 

 

 

Murcar is well worth playing and right next door to Royal Aberdeen so that is an easy logistical 36 holes.

[Shrinkwr4p]

Hi All,

I'm beginning to plan another golf trip back to Scotland and would love your expert advice.

 

We have already visited the Fife, East Lothian, and west coast on previous trips but are now looking to head North.

 

Our experience has been that the bucket list courses are obviously wonderful but sometimes the non-rota courses are the ones that leave a lasting impression. For example, I'll take prestwick and north berwick over the Old Course or Carnoustie any day (but I digress).

 

We are planning on heading to Dornoch and working our way down to Aberdeen. Dornoch, Brora, castle Stuart, Nairn, cruden bay, royal Aberdeen, and Trump are on the list, but any other input on courses like Nairn, Tain, fraserburgh, Murcar, peterhead, moray, or others that you have input on? We really are only interested in links courses.

 

We typically play 36 holes every other day so I have room for a few more courses.

 

Thank you for your help!

 

If you were only to play 3 courses in Aberdeenshire they should be Royal Aberdeen, Murcar and Fraserburgh. If you have time for 4 add Trump and for 5 add Peterhead. Of course I know you will instead play Cruden Bay but many of those who know it well (excluding the members of course) consider it hugely over-rated (and often poorly conditioned).

 

If you find yourselves making your way from a round at Lossiemouth to play Fraserburgh you could have some fun at Cullen which is a lovely and tricky wee links. If you stay in the the Cullen Bay Hotel (pictured in the gallery views below) you will enjoy decent 3 star accomodation and good food at reasonable prices as well as a reduced (? £15 green fee)

 

http://www.cullenlinksgolf.co.uk/course-gallery/

[zilli1010]

I just got back last night from Aberdeen. Murcar Links is a must. Truly a gem and tough if the wind is blowing. We had a hard time deciding on playing Trump, but everyone we spoke too, said it's a must. Thank God we listened, what a course!!!! Truly something special. Another course people said was fun to play was Stonehaven, however we ran out of time.

[mdannolfo]

I second that Nairn was not anything special. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. I liked Moray Old better myself.

 

I really liked Cruden Bay, but the conditioning was not on the same level as Royal Aberdeen or Dornoch.

[baddomes]

Tain and Golspie are both great wee courses. I recommend them both. Moray is a far better course than Nairn in my opinion, much more interesting and a better challenge. Nairn is a beautiful setting to play golf but just didn't float my boat at all, 18 mediocre holes with no standout golf holes. Others rave about it so probably best you sample it for yourself.

 

Quirky, look into Fortrose & Rosemarkie.

 

www.golspiegolfclub.co.uk

 

www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

 

I believe Fraserburgh is very good but never played it myself.

 

 

 

 

Murcar is well worth playing and right next door to Royal Aberdeen so that is an easy logistical 36 holes.

 

 

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but seems silly to start a new one.

 

Which of the courses in the Highlands would be good for a wife who doesn't play very often (5 times a year) but would enjoy a fun links course that is a good walk with good views? She also doesn't have a handicap card, so if that's a non-starter we'll have to figure something out. Tain and Golspie seem like they might be a good fit. This is for June 2018.

[DrDon]

You can play both Moray Old and the New Course. Excellent links golf.

 

Stay right across the street from the clubhouse at the B&B run by the Thomson family.

[raynorfan1]

Which of the courses in the Highlands would be good for a wife who doesn't play very often (5 times a year) but would enjoy a fun links course that is a good walk with good views? She also doesn't have a handicap card, so if that's a non-starter we'll have to figure something out. Tain and Golspie seem like they might be a good fit. This is for June 2018.

 

I consider the 36 hole clubs - in the highlands, Moray and Dornoch; Cruden Bay a little further south - the best for these purposes. The "lesser" course on these properties are pretty casual, but good golf with the views and ambience of their big brother's.

[Shrinkwr4p]

Tain and Golspie are both great wee courses. I recommend them both. Moray is a far better course than Nairn in my opinion, much more interesting and a better challenge. Nairn is a beautiful setting to play golf but just didn't float my boat at all, 18 mediocre holes with no standout golf holes. Others rave about it so probably best you sample it for yourself.

 

Quirky, look into Fortrose & Rosemarkie.

 

www.golspiegolfclub.co.uk

 

www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

 

I believe Fraserburgh is very good but never played it myself.

 

 

 

 

Murcar is well worth playing and right next door to Royal Aberdeen so that is an easy logistical 36 holes.

 

 

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but seems silly to start a new one.

 

Which of the courses in the Highlands would be good for a wife who doesn't play very often (5 times a year) but would enjoy a fun links course that is a good walk with good views? She also doesn't have a handicap card, so if that's a non-starter we'll have to figure something out. Tain and Golspie seem like they might be a good fit. This is for June 2018.

 

If you are in the Inverness area Fortrose - http://www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk/ - would be a very pleasant alternative to Tain. Golspie is a lovely course but a bit of a mixed bag if it's really links golf your after.

[Hawkeye77]

Saw this a few minutes ago, struck me funny! Hail and snow but we're open, lol. Golfers in northern Scotland have to be admired.

 

https://twitter.com/RoyalDornochGC

[imakaveli]

Played Royal Aberdeen, Murcar and Cruden Bay last year, great tracks! Eat at The c0ck & Bull on the road between Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen

[babyfade]

Moray has a beautiful start/end to the round in the town. Very picturesque and great golf holes. I enjoyed it more than Nairn.

[DrDon]

+1 to Moray golf club, both the Old and the New courses.

 

Also, stay in the B&B that’s right across the street from the clubhouse. Run by the Thomson family. A very friendly place!

[Chanceman]

Trump obviously polarises people but is the golf course true links? ie Is it a natural course following the land or has he moved tons of earth to get an effect? How does it compare to its rivals? I guess its conditioning is superb? Any other comments?

[thecraw]

Trump Aberdeen is outstanding.

[Chanceman]

Trump Aberdeen is outstanding.

Could you perhaps expand on that??? I would like to know how it compares to other courses around the place. It gets a bit of bad press so good to hear of any positives.

[babyfade]

The course raised very high in every ranking you find. Must be a great track.

[imakaveli]

I had fun playing Murcar and I wouldn't miss it, maybe switching it with Trump? That would also save you a lot of money!

[thecraw]

Trump Aberdeen is outstanding.

Could you perhaps expand on that??? I would like to know how it compares to other courses around the place. It gets a bit of bad press so good to hear of any positives.

 

It is just a simply stunning golf course. Tremendous holes, location, use of the land, green sites etc etc. Overall experience is excellent, hospitality, welcome, Trump Aberdeen has the lot.