Image / Flickr
Arrive, drop your bag, then tee off on fields and links shaped by sea and wind. This guide maps the best NC500 golf courses from Royal Dornoch and Cabot Highlands to compact gems on Skye and remote tests at Durness. You will find practical notes on course character, recommended stops for food and coffee, and sensible route ideas so you can plan rounds that fit your trip. It is a golf travel guide for Scotland that values quieter rounds, good local fare and evenings back at your hotel base. Use it to choose courses, plan logistics and enjoy golf in the Scottish Highlands with confidence and ease.
Image / GolfPass
Golf with Cairngorm views, on a course that never plays the same twice.
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What to expect
You will find a hilly, characterful course where no two holes feel the same. Fairways can play springy after dry weather, and some greens run quicker or slower depending on sun exposure. The layout rewards accuracy more than length, and wildlife sightings are common around the margins. Expect straightforward facilities, a compact pro shop and a warm, unpretentious welcome from staff.
Plan your visit
Book a tee time in advance, especially at weekends. Bring layered clothing and sturdy walking shoes for the undulating ground. Buggies are uncommon, so plan to walk the course unless you have arranged otherwise. The pro shop stocks essentials if you need kit, and the village of Boat of Garten is close by if you want to combine your round with a short walk or a café stop.
Image / Tripadvisor
Parkland golf with Highland light and a warm welcome.
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What to expect
Fairways framed by pines and mature trees, with rolling ground and a mix of short and testing holes. The 16th is a local favourite for its challenge and setting. Greens are generally true and well maintained, and members and staff are welcoming. The clubhouse serves simple, satisfying food with views over the closing holes.
Plan your visit
Book a tee time if you can, especially at weekends. If you prefer more length, choose the white tees; the forward tees make the course tighter and more about accuracy. Allow a moment after your round to eat in the clubhouse and watch the finishing holes. If you arrive by public transport, travel to Forres town then take a short taxi or cycle to the course.
Image / CAMRA
Short course, big climbs, Highland views.
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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.
Image / Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Links golf with wide firth views and Old Tom Morris heritage.
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What to expect
A true links experience with shifting wind, sloping greens and bunkers that collect loose shots. The layout favours thoughtful play over raw power, with options on many holes that reward course management. Greens are often praised for their quality, and you’ll find stretches that frame the firth and dunes rather than manicured fairways.
Plan your visit
Bring layers and a windproof jacket, the coast can change quickly. If the wind is up, consider a caddy or play the strategic lines the course offers. Stop by the pro shop before you tee off to check course notes and local advice. Combine your round with a walk along the nearby beach or a wander through Dornoch to taste local food and craft , the area’s producers and community add to the visit.
Image / Golf courses
A compact, community-run nine between moor and sea
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What to expect
You will find wide fairways that reward a straight tee shot, but the rough and gorse will punish stray shots. The holes play more on carry than roll, so club selection matters. The greens are slower than championship surfaces and can be scattered with buttercups and daisies in season, which changes how you judge your putts. Expect a relaxed, low-key clubhouse and hire equipment if you travel light.
Plan your visit
If you are driving the NC500, slot in a quick nine as a pleasant detour. Sign in at the clubhouse on arrival and ask about hire clubs if you need them. Wear sensible shoes and bring a spare ball for the rough. Allow around 1.5 hours for a nine-hole round and leave time afterwards to enjoy the village or a walk along the coast.
Image / Bunkered
Tea, scones and sea views , a proper Highland stop.
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What to expect
A relaxed, local atmosphere where you can play a round or simply sit at the café and watch the loch. Expect home-style dishes and standout baked goods, especially the scones, plus simple vegetarian options such as potato and leek soup and vegetarian haggis. Staff are welcoming and the place has a community-minded vibe, with fundraising and local connections evident in the menu and service.
Plan your visit
If you’re driving the NC500, plan a short stop here for coffee and cake or a longer break for lunch. There is ample parking, so arriving by car is easiest. If you want to play, check for tee-time availability in advance. Bring layers and a waterproof outer layer, as coastal weather can change quickly. If you have a dog, use the decking area where dogs are welcome. Choosing café favourites supports a local business that often gives back to the community.
Image / Bunkered
Play a short links course where sea meets the Cuillin.
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What to expect
Expect classic seaside links golf, firm turf and wind that changes each hole. Many players praise the course condition and practical layout, which suits beginners and committed golfers alike. The welcome is warm, with a modest clubhouse offering kit hire and a small pro shop. Some holes run close to the shoreline, so the scenery is part of the game.
Plan your visit
Bring layers and a windproof jacket, the wind is part of the experience. Rentals are available at the clubhouse if you don’t have your clubs. If you want a quieter tee time aim for earlier in the morning, and let the clubhouse team know if you plan to use hire equipment. Combine the round with nearby walks or viewpoints along the NC500 for a full day on Skye.
Image / Top 100 Golf Courses
Golf at the cliff edge of the NC500
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What to expect
Expect a rugged, scenic round rather than a manicured parkland experience. Greens are well kept and the course uses different pin positions to vary play, so nine holes can feel like two very different rounds. Wind and uneven ground add challenge, wildflowers grow in the rough and some tee shots play toward sheer cliff drops and the sea. The team who run the club are friendly and practical, making it an easy stop on the NC500.
Plan your visit
Check the weather before you travel and pack waterproofs and a warm layer. Bring spare balls and sensible footwear for uneven ground. If wind is strong consider a buggy or a more cautious tee selection. The clubhouse offers a straightforward welcome and a small selection of merch, though popular items can sell out. Combine your round with other NC500 stops so you can relax and savour the coastal views afterwards.
Image / www.highlandcoasthotels.com
A true links round on the North Sea, with sea views and grazing cattle.
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What to expect
Expect an honest, traditional links test that changes with the wind. Holes are straightforward in layout but demand thoughtful shot selection when it blows, and the par-3 ninth plays directly out to sea. On-course features include small, true-running greens and well-placed bunkers. Staff are described as friendly and welcoming, the pro shop is well stocked, and the clubhouse serves a good post-round meal.
Plan your visit
Book a tee time in advance, especially on summer weekends. Bring windproof layers and footwear suited to firm turf. Allow time after your round for a bite in the clubhouse and a look in the pro shop for locally made caps and souvenirs. If you’re on the NC500, slot Brora into a coastal day for views and a relaxed round.
Image / Golf Highland
Seaside fairways, heathered hollows and wide Highland views
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What to expect
Expect firm fairways, undulating greens and a mix of coastal holes and inland stretches through heather and pines. Many holes look out to the sea, so wind will shape how you play. The course is well maintained and walkable, with a small, traditional clubhouse where players gather after a round. Staff are helpful and often share local tips about playing the course and nearby routes.
Plan your visit
Book a tee time in advance and allow extra time to warm up and take in the views. Dress in layers and bring a windproof outer layer, as coastal winds can change quickly. Ask in the pro shop for local lines and hole-by-hole pointers, and plan a short walk along the beach after your round to stretch your legs. If you want to linger, the clubhouse is a good place for a post-round drink and local conversation.
Image / Scotland Where Golf Began
Links golf with firth views on the NC500
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What to expect
You can expect a true links experience: firm, fast fairways, consistent greens and a handful of standout holes, including a par 3 with dunes and an ‘Alps’ feature in front of a green. Staff typically offer helpful local advice on lines and tee choices, and there’s a small practice area to warm up. Play suits beginners and regulars alike, and the clubhouse provides a relaxed spot for a post-round meal or drink with views of the finishing holes.
Plan your visit
Book a tee time ahead, especially during the NC500 season, and tell the pro shop if you’re new to the course so they can suggest tees and lines. Arrive early to use the practice nets and to talk through key holes with staff. Bring layers, because the wind off the firth can turn cool quickly; plan time after your round for lunch or a drink in the clubhouse terrace.
Image / www.highlandcoasthotels.com
A classic Highland links course where sea, wind and turf shape every shot.
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What to expect
A remote, authentic links experience with wide fairways, gorse-lined dunes and constant North Sea vistas. Wind plays a big role, so shots that work in calm conditions can change quickly. The club offers caddies and a pro shop, and the clubhouse looks out over the course and water. The town of Dornoch is a short stroll away if you want to combine golf with a wander.
Plan your visit
Book tee times and any caddy services in advance, especially in summer. Pack layers and a windproof, footwear suited to firm turf, and simple repair tools for your kit. Allow time before or after your round to walk into Dornoch for coffee or a short explore. Let the club’s team advise on local weather and course conditions on the day.
Image / www.highlandcoasthotels.com
A links round framed by sea and sky
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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.
Image / www.highlandcoasthotels.com
Sea-swept links where the land meets the Moray Firth
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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.
Image / Kings Golf Club Inverness
Tee off above Inverness with broad Highland views.
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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.
Image / www.highlandcoasthotels.com
Highland Coast Hotels is a collection of hotels across the Scottish Highlands, from Inverness to the far north coast. Each property sits within the landscape, with warm rooms, honest food and local knowledge at every stop on the North Coast 500. Choose your hotel and start planning your trip.
