Northern Ireland or Inverness Scotland Sep/Oct 2025 trip

[S Waldo]

Starting to think about a 2025 Sep/Oct trip for my father and I. We went to Ireland in Aug 2023 for the first time and played Lahinch, Tralee, & Ballybunion. We had a great time and would like to travel overseas again. I would love to play 36 holes a day and more than 3 different courses on the trip, but my dad will be 76 and can only play/walk 18 holes in a day. Also have three young kids at home and can't be gone for an extended trip. I'm torn between a trip to Northern Ireland or the Inverness region in Scotland.

 

Northern Ireland:

• Portstewart
• Royal Portrush
• Royal County Down  

 

Scotland:

• Cruden Bay
• Castle Stuart
• Royal Dornoch
• Royal Aberdeen (Not likely, but if I can squeeze in a fourth round)

 

These are all obviously amazing and bucket list courses, but does one out way the other? Appreciate the help!

[hammergolf]

54 minutes ago, S Waldo said:

Starting to think about a 2025 Sep/Oct trip for my father and I. We went to Ireland in Aug 2023 for the first time and played Lahinch, Tralee, & Ballybunion. We had a great time and would like to travel overseas again. I would love to play 36 holes a day and more than 3 different courses on the trip, but my dad will be 76 and can only play/walk 18 holes in a day. Also have three young kids at home and can't be gone for an extended trip. I'm torn between a trip to Northern Ireland or the Inverness region in Scotland.

 

Northern Ireland:

• Portstewart
• Royal Portrush
• Royal County Down  

 

Scotland:

• Cruden Bay
• Castle Stuart
• Royal Dornoch
• Royal Aberdeen (Not likely, but if I can squeeze in a fourth round)

 

These are all obviously amazing and bucket list courses, but does one out way the other? Appreciate the help!

Northern Ireland would be less driving, however if you’re up for more driving and have never been to Scotland I would chose that. I mean it’s like choosing between a blonde and brunette supermodel. There is no wrong choice. For me it would come down to whether you want to drive less or not.

[Rotting]

As hammer says, there is no wrong answer, but let me offer something a little different.

I would fly into Inverness and play Castle Stuart which is a stone's throw from the airport, then drive up to play Brora, then back down to Dornoch and have Royal Dornoch Championship as the "main course" of the trip. That is a killer 1-2-3 punch and doesn't require the travel from Aberdeen. Your 76 year old father will love the 18 hole walks at all 3 of those courses. 

[tad950]

That’s a tough call. If cost is a consideration, maybe price both trips out. I can’t prove it, but it seemed to me that Northern Ireland was the less expensive trip. As others have said, there is no bad choice. But I’ll give Northern Ireland a slight edge. Just to be different. 

[Chanceman]

12 hours ago, Rotting said:

As hammer says, there is no wrong answer, but let me offer something a little different.

I would fly into Inverness and play Castle Stuart which is a stone's throw from the airport, then drive up to play Brora, then back down to Dornoch and have Royal Dornoch Championship as the "main course" of the trip. That is a killer 1-2-3 punch and doesn't require the travel from Aberdeen. Your 76 year old father will love the 18 hole walks at all 3 of those courses. 

Good thinking. You could add in Golspie, Tain and Fortrose&Rosemarkie as your second daily round while your Dad recovers from the early round.

[Hawkeye77]

Brora/Royal Dornoch/Tain - what more could you want.  Well, you could dip down and play Castle Stewart one day.  Stay in Dornoch.  Be mindful of what your Dad can do and consider buggies depending on weather, etc. - he'll be almost two years older by then.  No reason to go dashing across country to the east coast - you can only play so many courses and no need wearing anyone out. Not playing the Old, it's a trip you really don't need to worry about for almost another year in terms of planning. 

[S Waldo]

Appreciate all the information and help with this trip! 

 

For the golf courses in Scotland, specifically Royal Dornoch, am I able to hold off on tee times until 6 months out? Tee times started filling up at Lahinch and Ballybunion a year in advance, so I wasn't sure if I would run into the same issue with Royal Dornoch. 

 

Does the St. Andrews annual/advanced tee time lottery occur around August? I don't want to take a chance with the 48 hour ballot or pay extra for authorized provider, but winning the annual lottery would change the trip plan.

 

Ever since I can remember my dad has had a vintage railway poster of Cruden Bay and North Berwick hung up and has always wanted to play these courses. I know it's a bit of drive between the Cruden Bay and Royal Dornoch/Castle Stuart, but I don't think he minds the driving.

 

Thanks again for all the great tips!

 

Edited April 2 by S Waldo

[jatrain]

The annual lottery is in August. Last year they announced it an only a couple of weeks in advance and it was open for two weeks.  So you have to keep your eye out.  
 

[hammergolf]

58 minutes ago, S Waldo said:

Appreciate all the information and help with this trip! 

 

For the golf courses in Scotland, specifically Royal Dornoch, am I able to hold off on tee times until 6 months out? Tee times started filling up at Lahinch and Ballybunion a year in advance, so I wasn't sure if I would run into the same issue with Royal Dornoch. 

 

Does the St. Andrews annual/advanced tee time lottery occur around August? I don't want to take a chance with the 48 hour ballot or pay extra for authorized provider, but winning the annual lottery would change the trip plan.

 

Ever since I can remember my dad has had a vintage railway poster of Cruden Bay and North Berwick hung up and has always wanted to play these courses. I know it's a bit of drive between the three courses, but I don't think he minds the driving.

 

Thanks again for all the great tips!

 

If Dornoch is on the top of your list, don’t wait until 6 months before your trip to book. Very good chance it will be booked. Best bet is to email Dornoch and ask them when they will open bookings for 2025. Pick your day for Dornoch, then your day for North Berwick. 

[jatrain]

I booked North Berwick in December 2023 for September of 2024.  I gave them two full weeks in September and two full weeks in August that I would be available for.  They came back with only two available tee times, both in September.  
 

Book as early as they will let you.  

[MattyO1984]

I am not the biggest fan of Cruden Bay but with your dad having the poster of Cruden Bay, for me I think from a sentimental point of view Scotland and Cruden Bay has to be the way to go. Thereafter, Royal Aberdeen is very good but can't touch Royal Dornoch for surroundings so I would head North. Castle Stuart is good but a hell of a walk! It's not on your list but if you were looking to break up your day on the road, I would suggest Cruden Bay, Nairn and then Royal Dornoch or Royal Dornoch, Nairn and Cruden Bay.