Questions regarding Dornoch

[tiderider]

rather specific, so i didn't want to peruse other threads for this ... anybody ever used public trans (train or bus) to get to Inverness from the Glasgow/St Andrews area of the country, and from Inverness to Dornoch? ... how easy/difficult was it? ... tia ...

[North Butte]

From Inverness to Dornoch it is coach (bus) or rental car, alas. Allow plenty of time. I perused the coach schedules before my trip and it did not look remotely like something I wanted to mess with. That was a decade ago but I doubt much has changed.

 

Just rent a car.

[scott_Donald]

wow, train to Inverness but then from there might be difficult.

 

when you heading there?

[tiderider]

oh, i'm not going till next year ... my crew and i are scheduling a trip to scotland to play the open courses ... i've been previously, but they have not ... i teach, so i'm def heading over early by a few days to at least play dornoch, though i'm thinking about going over 2 weeks early to play some courses in england and wales ... i've looked at a train ride from liverpool and it doesn't seem too bad ... but inverness is not dornoch, so getting a car for a couple of days might be my only or best option ...

[North Butte]

I have taken the Caledonian Sleeper overnight train from London Easton as far as Inverness, then picked up a hire car there for the drive up to Dornoch (among other places). The sleeper train was an adventure. I liked it OK but my traveling companion found it uncomfortable.

 

The scenery for that last hour or so coming into Inverness was a nice way to start the morning (very early morning).

[tiderider]

it def looks like it would be a really neat thing to do ... just something about a train ride up through the uk that seems idyllic ...

[North Butte]

it def looks like it would be a really neat thing to do ... just something about a train ride up through the uk that seems idyllic ...

 

If the train were fancy like in Murder On The Orient Express maybe. But it is pretty basic

 

Supposedly the really great journey (idyllic) is the part that heads over to Ft William rather than just Inverness.

[Hawkeye77]

The drive from Inverness to Dornoch is nothing, why take a bus, lol?

 

Having said that, plenty folks getting off and getting on the bus at the stop in Dornoch, and they seem to have lots of buses running all the time up there and everywhere, but those buses don't look any more inviting than any other "coach" I've seen. Wouldn't enjoy more than a very short jaunt on one, personally.

[tiderider]

i know i'd probably choose a car, but just checking on the public transportation situation ...

[Shrinkwr4p]

i know i'd probably choose a car, but just checking on the public transportation situation ...

 

Arriving in Inverness by train might make sense but once you are there a car opens up possibilities denied by public transport. Not just Dornoch, but Tain, Golspie and Brora to the north, Boat of Garten to the south and Castle Stuart or Nairn a few miles east.

[tiderider]

thanks, guys ...

 

main problem is once you start adding courses, you can't stop ...

[TerpFangolfer]

I think the train goes all the way to Tain? I was in Dornoch in June - and at first it looked like my brother was going to have to leave our trip early...so we had looked into getting him to Tain, to get a train all the way to Edinburgh for a flight out.

In the end, it turned out to not be necessary, so I dont know exact details.

 

So if you train to Tain - then can get taxi or local bus to Dornoch, I would assume

[tiderider]

i'm going to play Dornoch next summer as part of an extended trip with golf friends, though they will not be playing Dornoch with me ... i also intend to play Castle Stuart and Cruden Bay before they arrive ...

I'll be a single for those 3 courses in very late June or very early July, so can I wait till TOC reveals lottery winners on Oct 31 to request a tee time at Dornoch (and the other two)? ... do they fill up in the previous fall? ... any issues as a single?

[Hawkeye77]

i'm going to play Dornoch next summer as part of an extended trip with golf friends, though they will not be playing Dornoch with me ... i also intend to play Castle Stuart and Cruden Bay before they arrive ...

I'll be a single for those 3 courses in very late June or very early July, so can I wait till TOC reveals lottery winners on Oct 31 to request a tee time at Dornoch (and the other two)? ... do they fill up in the previous fall? ... any issues as a single?

 

I made our Father's Day time in March, had no trouble at all on that Sunday while actually there and after our Sunday round making a time for Thursday that week. No idea about the single part of it, however.

 

Edit: at Royal Dornoch.

[tiderider]

thanks ... wouldn't think a single would be a problem ...

[Shrinkwr4p]

i'm going to play Dornoch next summer as part of an extended trip with golf friends, though they will not be playing Dornoch with me ... i also intend to play Castle Stuart and Cruden Bay before they arrive ...

I'll be a single for those 3 courses in very late June or very early July, so can I wait till TOC reveals lottery winners on Oct 31 to request a tee time at Dornoch (and the other two)? ... do they fill up in the previous fall? ... any issues as a single?

 

If you are only planning to play one course in Aberdeenshire, do yourself a favour. Give Cruden Bay a miss and play Royal Aberdeen instead. The 2 tracks simply don't bear comparison. Cruden Bay is vastly over-rated and would be a big anti-climax after Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart. Royal Aberdeen is the real deal.

[tiderider]

i'm going to play Dornoch next summer as part of an extended trip with golf friends, though they will not be playing Dornoch with me ... i also intend to play Castle Stuart and Cruden Bay before they arrive ...

I'll be a single for those 3 courses in very late June or very early July, so can I wait till TOC reveals lottery winners on Oct 31 to request a tee time at Dornoch (and the other two)? ... do they fill up in the previous fall? ... any issues as a single?

 

If you are only planning to play one course in Aberdeenshire, do yourself a favour. Give Cruden Bay a miss and play Royal Aberdeen instead. The 2 tracks simply don't bear comparison. Cruden Bay is vastly over-rated and would be a big anti-climax after Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart. Royal Aberdeen is the real deal.

 

played aberdeen many years ago and will probably fit 18 in somehow ...

 

i'd be interested to see how many folks agree with your opinion ... haven't played cb yet ...

[Shrinkwr4p]

i'm going to play Dornoch next summer as part of an extended trip with golf friends, though they will not be playing Dornoch with me ... i also intend to play Castle Stuart and Cruden Bay before they arrive ...

I'll be a single for those 3 courses in very late June or very early July, so can I wait till TOC reveals lottery winners on Oct 31 to request a tee time at Dornoch (and the other two)? ... do they fill up in the previous fall? ... any issues as a single?

 

If you are only planning to play one course in Aberdeenshire, do yourself a favour. Give Cruden Bay a miss and play Royal Aberdeen instead. The 2 tracks simply don't bear comparison. Cruden Bay is vastly over-rated and would be a big anti-climax after Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart. Royal Aberdeen is the real deal.

 

played aberdeen many years ago and will probably fit 18 in somehow ...

 

i'd be interested to see how many folks agree with your opinion ... haven't played cb yet ...

 

6 good holes, 6 average holes and 6 poor holes. Generally, indifferently conditioned. On first inspection, the panorama viewed from the clubhouse, particularly when the sun is low, is breathtaking, and hence its inflated reputation. The more often you play the course the more its lack of real quality reveals itself. Hugely over-rated. YMMV.

[scott_Donald]

played aberdeen many years ago and will probably fit 18 in somehow ...

 

i'd be interested to see how many folks agree with your opinion ... haven't played cb yet ...

 

I have been back 2 weeks from the Houston summer and conditions in Scotland have been awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 good holes, 6 average holes and 6 poor holes. Generally, indifferently conditioned. On first inspection, the panorama viewed from the clubhouse, particularly when the sun is low, is breathtaking, and hence its inflated reputation. The more often you play the course the more its lack of real quality reveals itself. Hugely over-rated. YMMV.

 

My dad is a member and its fun to play, perfect on a nice sunny day. Some terrible holes but some great holes. Condition is normally good, they did have a problem with he greens, with the wrong grass growing on them but that was fixed a couple years ago.

[tad950]

i'm going to play Dornoch next summer as part of an extended trip with golf friends, though they will not be playing Dornoch with me ... i also intend to play Castle Stuart and Cruden Bay before they arrive ...

I'll be a single for those 3 courses in very late June or very early July, so can I wait till TOC reveals lottery winners on Oct 31 to request a tee time at Dornoch (and the other two)? ... do they fill up in the previous fall? ... any issues as a single?

 

If you are only planning to play one course in Aberdeenshire, do yourself a favour. Give Cruden Bay a miss and play Royal Aberdeen instead. The 2 tracks simply don't bear comparison. Cruden Bay is vastly over-rated and would be a big anti-climax after Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart. Royal Aberdeen is the real deal.

 

played aberdeen many years ago and will probably fit 18 in somehow ...

 

i'd be interested to see how many folks agree with your opinion ... haven't played cb yet ...

 

I've only played Cruden Bay once. In 2017. I actually liked it. But there are some quirky holes. A completely blind downhill tee shot on a par 3. A couple of 90 degree turn doglegs. And I remember a brutal uphill walk after short par 4. Certainly a lot of memorable holes. They also have some of the oldest (and nicest) caddie I've met.

[Ollieb]

Hi, I've been going to Dornoch quite a bit of the last few years and tried all combinations of transport. Basically public transport is very good upto Inverness. Yes there are buses in/out of Inverness bus station upto Dornoch but they aren't overly frequent so if you want to maximise your holiday time, then definitely hire a car from Inverness. You can then access all of the other nearby courses. Yes you can get buses to these courses but again they aren't overly frequent. Especially if you are a single and perhaps fancy an early morning or late afternoon round, you don't want to be stuck not being able to get back home for the evening. Europcar I have found to be the best in terms of car hire companies in the area, they have a desk in Inverness airport and also in the town centre (just inside the shopping mall).

 

Someone else commented about getting a train to Tain, yes this is true but I very rarely see taxis outside the station.

 

Re: Sleeper trains - these are due to be upgraded to new carriages by approx May next year I believe for the Inverness (and upwards) routes. Current trains are fine, however the cabins are quite tiny (especially if carrying a great big travel golf bag/suitcase. The airport is very accessible from other UK airports.

 

In terms of RD helping out if you are a single, speak to the ladies in the office they will certainly accommodate you. If you want to play on your own this maybe a little more difficult as in the height of summer the course is quite busy so you may have to play into the evening, however if you are happy to pair up and meet other guests then I'm sure the office will pair you up very easily.

 

Hope this helps.

[North Butte]

Hi, I've been going to Dornoch quite a bit of the last few years and tried all combinations of transport. Basically public transport is very good upto Inverness. Yes there are buses in/out of Inverness bus station upto Dornoch but they aren't overly frequent so if you want to maximise your holiday time, then definitely hire a car from Inverness. You can then access all of the other nearby courses. Yes you can get buses to these courses but again they aren't overly frequent. Especially if you are a single and perhaps fancy an early morning or late afternoon round, you don't want to be stuck not being able to get back home for the evening. Europcar I have found to be the best in terms of car hire companies in the area, they have a desk in Inverness airport and also in the town centre (just inside the shopping mall).

 

Someone else commented about getting a train to Tain, yes this is true but I very rarely see taxis outside the station.

 

Re: Sleeper trains - these are due to be upgraded to new carriages by approx May next year I believe for the Inverness (and upwards) routes. Current trains are fine, however the cabins are quite tiny (especially if carrying a great big travel golf bag/suitcase. The airport is very accessible from other UK airports.

 

In terms of RD helping out if you are a single, speak to the ladies in the office they will certainly accommodate you. If you want to play on your own this maybe a little more difficult as in the height of summer the course is quite busy so you may have to play into the evening, however if you are happy to pair up and meet other guests then I'm sure the office will pair you up very easily.

 

Hope this helps.

 

I am glad I didn't try to do without a hire car on my Highlands trip. For instance one morning I drove up (from Dornoch town) to Brora and played what was supposed to be one round of golf. I literally couldn't wait to get back to the 1st tee just minutes after I finished the 18th. It would have been brutal to be tied to a coach schedule and have to head back with hours of daylight and a nearly empty course waiting for me.

 

Same when we went up and played at Golspie. The back nine of our round got rained out (even the local Highlanders weren't willing to keep playing in that deluge!) so I drove back to my room and grabbed a nap before our afternoon round back at RDGC.

 

The flexibility of a car is a big help on a trip like that.

[macdowa]

I stay 5 miles north of Inverness and would concur that public transport to Inverness is fine but car thereafter I would suggest. Dornoch is great as is Nairn and Castle Stuart. Ideally you want a bit of wind to make it more of a challenge. I am playing Castle Stuart tomorrow (20mph winds !) and will ask about policy to singles. They have good caddies there and would suggest taking one first time you play there.

 

Courses like Brora, Tain and Golspie are also excellent and even Fortrose and Boat of Garten are good challenges. Fortrose is stunning on a spit of land out into moray firth so water on both sides, dolphins and on a windy day the brain is more important than a good swing I think.

 

Any questions you have about the trip local hotels etc give me a shout and I can point you in the right direction.

[tiderider]

will do that ... thanks for all the info here ... looking forward to booking dornoch once i know about TOC outcome in a couple of weeks ...

 

wouldn't think being a single is an issue as i am open to being paired with any group, but any info on that front is appreciated ...

[fredstar]

i'm going to play Dornoch next summer as part of an extended trip with golf friends, though they will not be playing Dornoch with me ... i also intend to play Castle Stuart and Cruden Bay before they arrive ...

I'll be a single for those 3 courses in very late June or very early July, so can I wait till TOC reveals lottery winners on Oct 31 to request a tee time at Dornoch (and the other two)? ... do they fill up in the previous fall? ... any issues as a single?

 

If you are only planning to play one course in Aberdeenshire, do yourself a favour. Give Cruden Bay a miss and play Royal Aberdeen instead. The 2 tracks simply don't bear comparison. Cruden Bay is vastly over-rated and would be a big anti-climax after Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart. Royal Aberdeen is the real deal.

 

Played 9 courses in August and I have to say I agree. Royal Aberdeen really was better than expected and Cruden Bay was a little disappointing. The worst condition of all courses I played. Fantastic views but I would not make the trek back up there to play. Royal Aberdeen was def worth it.

[macdowa]

When asked at Castle Stuart told solo play is absolutely fine !! Bit cool and windy so soup at halfway hut was extra good today !!!