Golf near Inverness, the best courses around Moray Firth

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What to expect

Expect steep elevation changes and narrow, position-focused fairways. Several quirky par 3s and crowned greens test your short game. The course plays longer than the yardage suggests because of the climbs and slopes. You will find calm, quiet surroundings and wide views across moorland and hills. The clubhouse is small and friendly, aimed at members but welcoming visitors.

Plan your visit

Book a tee time in advance and let the staff know if you need a buggy. Wear sturdy shoes suitable for hill walking and bring a few spare balls for the deeper rough. Allow time before and after your round to enjoy the clubhouse hospitality and the local scenery. If you are passing on the NC500, plan the course as a relaxed stop rather than a rushed tee time.

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What to expect

Expect an authentic links round where wind and coastal terrain change how you play each hole. The front nine hugs the beach with sea and bunker risk in play, while the back nine introduces tighter lines and small elevation changes. Greens are true and often quick, bunkers are penal, and heather can stop a ball fast. Staff are friendly and helpful, the pro shop is well run, and there is an archive room you can arrange to visit. The course suits experienced links players and also rewards careful strategy from less confident golfers.

Plan your visit

Book a tee time in advance, online if possible, and check the forecast for wind. Pack layered clothing and a waterproof, and bring good footwear for sandy ground and heather. Allow time to enjoy the clubhouse after your round, and ask about the archive room if you want a bit of local history. If you plan a multi-course trip, combine Nairn with nearby links for a varied programme.

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What to expect

You will find a compact, characterful course that rewards thoughtful play. Several holes on the back nine are narrow and require precise tee shots, and some fairways need long carries. Signage can be confusing in places, and the 18th has been played from a temporary tee while works are under way. Facilities are modest, with an honesty-box system in use at times, so plan refreshments accordingly. The club feels local and welcoming, with staff ready to help with routing and advice.

Plan your visit

Ask the club for the current routing before you tee off, especially if the 18th is altered. If your drive is wayward, choose the shorter tees to keep the round enjoyable. Bring spare balls, a water bottle and a small amount of cash for the honesty box. Wear shoes suited to long carries and varied ground. If you want a quieter day, aim for a weekday afternoon and let the staff know you are stopping by for guidance.

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What to expect

Expect an honest links test: windy conditions that favour low, controlled shots, clever green contours and gorse that shapes strategy. Several holes run close to the shoreline, offering wide sea views and the chance to spot dolphins from the tees. Staff are friendly and the clubhouse is a good place to relax after a round, with a short menu highlighting local produce.

Plan your visit

Book a tee time ahead, especially at weekends, and enquire about temporary visitor membership if you want to use the clubhouse facilities. Bring layered, waterproof clothing and plan lower trajectories in windy weather. If you want a slow day, combine your round with a short walk to nearby viewpoints or a relaxed meal at the club after golf.

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What to expect

Expect wind-swept fairways, firm turf and holes that hug the coastline. Players will find clever, risk-and-reward layouts, well-maintained greens and helpful on-site staff. Non-players can enjoy shoreline walks, viewpoints over the Moray Firth and the clubhouse terrace for food and views. Weather changes fast, so conditions can feel very different from one hour to the next.

Plan your visit

Book tee times or a clubhouse table in advance, especially in summer. Bring a windproof layer and sturdy shoes for links walking. If the terrain feels hilly, consider a power cart or a caddy. Leave time to use the practice facilities and to pause on the clubhouse terrace for the coastal views. Combine a visit with a short detour along the NC500 for more viewpoints and local stops.

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What to expect

A short, engaging round that rewards accuracy more than power. The holes rise and fall through natural contours, so many tee shots and approaches are strategic rather than long. Greens are consistently well maintained and play true. You will likely meet local members on the course and receive a warm welcome in the clubhouse, where simple snacks and home baking are often available. Bring sensible footwear and a willingness to stop for a chat with locals.

Plan your visit

Treat this as a relaxed, social round. Turn up with your clubs and comfortable clothing suited to changing weather. Check flag and marker positions when you arrive as yardages can vary, and be prepared for a few blind or elevated tee shots. Allow time afterwards for tea and home baking in the clubhouse and talk to the greenkeepers or members if you want local tips on how holes play. Combine the visit with other nearby sights along the NC500 for a full day out.

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What to expect

A relaxed club run by locals who put hospitality first. The turf and greens are well maintained and the layout is engaging, with a tricky 18th that players remember. You can hire clubs, trolleys or a buggy, and the team will help with lifts to and from the port if you plan ahead. After your round, the clubhouse bar offers a small local tipple to toast your game.

Plan your visit

Book ahead if you’re arriving on a cruise or following the NC500, so the club can reserve clubs or a buggy and organise a pickup. Wear layers for coastal wind and bring a few extra balls for holes that run through scrub. Tell the staff if you need a lift back to the port or town , they regularly help visitors with transport.

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What to expect

A varied course with uphill and downhill holes that test shot selection more than sheer distance. Greens and fairways are maintained to a good standard, and you can hire manual or electric trolleys and buggies. Play moves at a steady pace, with a social atmosphere in the clubhouse after your round. Staff are welcoming and helpful to visitors.

Plan your visit

Book a tee time in advance, especially at weekends and during summer. If you need a trolley or buggy, reserve it when you book. Dress in layers and bring wet-weather gear, the Highlands change quickly. Allow time after your round for a drink or light meal in the clubhouse, it’s a good moment to unwind and talk through the course.

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What to expect

Expect a tidy, playable layout that rewards straight shots and offers a few testing long holes. Staff in the pro shop are helpful with tee bookings and rental clubs. The course is mainly walked, greens are well maintained, and some holes sit across a quiet road so you move between sections on foot. In winter you may find temporary wintergreens and mats on fairways, so check conditions before you go.

Plan your visit

Call ahead to reserve a tee time and to request rental clubs if you need them. Turn up with layered clothing, good walking shoes and a small towel for damp conditions. The car park is modest, so allow a little extra time for parking on busy days. Treat the round as part of a larger Highland day: combine it with a stroll around Inverness or a drive on the NC500 for a fuller outing.