Western England vs Northern Scotland

[Chigolfer2]

We have experienced 2 Scotland trips.  We have golfed Fife (TOC, Kingsbarns, Carnoustie etc.) Ayrshire (Troon, Preswick etc) and Lothians (North Berwick, Muirfield etc.)  Planning Scotland 2025 and we are considering West England Royal Birkdale, Royal Litham and St Annes, and Royal Liverpool based out of Liverpool.  Also considering Northern Scotland, Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn based out of Inverness.  We may have to select just one of these options.  How does the golf compare.  The towns of Liverpool and Inverness for restaurants, pubs, ambiance etc.  Another lodging option?  The overall experience.....  Comments.....

[El Gringo]

Liverpool is far the superior city, but it’s bigger. So it depends what you want. If you go the Liverpool route strongly consider adding Formby. You can even take the train practically to the club car park. 

[tad950]

I enjoyed Hillside Golf Club, Royal Birkdale’s neighbor. West Lancashire is another one I liked.

[Hawkeye77]

No idea what kind of vibe you need but Brora is not to be missed, Tain is right near Dornoch and Nairn and Moray and Fortrose all in that area as well. 
 

Missed out on the last 3 when we went north but Royal Dornoch and Brora are worth any drive, IMO. 
 

That said, all of those courses near Hillside and Royal Lytham are courses I will play someday but no ability to compare. 

[Chanceman]

Personally I would choose the Scottish option. Some great but lesser known backups to R Dornoch and Castle Stuart eg Brora, Tain, Nairn, Boat of Garten.
The English option is good too with more Open rota courses but for me a bit less variety. If you do go that way try Delamere Forest in Cheshire.

[sabram]

Those are both great golf regions, but different from one another. Golf-wise you can't go wrong with Either. The main differentiators are vibe, budget and travel considerations. 

Northern Scotland from Inverness to the Highlands is more rural and laid back, and has a nice roster of less expensive "second tier" courses (Brora, Golspie, Tain, Fortrose-Rosemarkie, Nairn- Dunbar, Struie, among others) to supplement the big names like Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved Nairn.

 

The Liverpool  area has an unmatched roster of "big guns", including three Open Championship courses, Formby and Hillside. 

 

Green fees across the UK have jumped in recent years, the Open Championship courses will be bug budget items.

[DanMN]

I went to both areas last year, but were both quick trips and I didn't have enough time to fully do either; on one hand, disappointing, on  the other gives me a reason to go back to both.  

 

In the Highlands, I played Cabot Highlands (x2), Nairn, Brora, and Royal Dornoch.  I also got to Covesea Links, a super quirky 9 holer which I would tack on if you can.  I can't recall when the other Cabot course opens for preview play, but another consideration.  

 

Near Liverpool, I only played the Open rota courses but have heard nothing but great things about Hillside, Formby, West Lancs, etc.  

 

From a logistics standpoint, both areas are kind of the same - you can base yourself in one place and drive, but it can be 1 hr+ to courses from Inverness and Liverpool.  Inverness was noticeably easier to get in and out of, as you would expect.  If you end up having a longer time (closer to 10 days) and plan to have more than 1 base, I think the play would be Scottish Highlands + Aberdeen area (which it doesn't sound like you have been to).  Cruden Bay, Trump, and Royal Aberdeen would make a lot more sense vs. going from Inverness to Liverpool and trying to cover both areas, in my mind.