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Use Tongue as your base for coastal links golf. This guide points you to Reay, Thurso and Durness, compact courses that test shot selection and wind play. Expect short yardage, coastal contours and brisk winds that change how you tackle each hole. Find practical notes on travel times, tee booking and visitor facilities at small clubs. Stay with Highland Coast Hotels to return to a warm room after long days on the course. Whether you seek the best golf courses in the Scottish Highlands, or a straightforward Tongue Hotel golf break, this guide helps you plan memorable rounds with clear logistics and local tips.
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Golf on the edge of the mainland, with the North Atlantic in earshot.
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What to expect
Tight fairways, firm surfaces and greens that reward precise iron play. The front nine features two thoughtful par 5s, while both the opening and closing holes are short par 3s that demand accuracy. Expect gorse and heather beside several holes and gusting conditions that make club choice important.
Plan your visit
Call ahead to check green-fee availability and to ask about transfers from nearby ports if you arrive by cruise or ferry. Bring spare balls, a windproof layer and shoes that handle dune grass. Leave time after your round for a drink and local chat in the clubhouse, and be ready to adapt your plans if the club is hosting a competition.
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A windswept links where friendly members meet challenging play
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What to expect
You will find traditional links golf with firm turf, coastal views and wind that shapes every hole. The club is known for its well-maintained greens and a helpful community of members and staff. Visitors can warm up on the practice area, hire clubs if needed, and the clubhouse hosts private and charity events with attentive service.
Plan your visit
Bring layered, windproof clothing, and allow time to warm up on the practice area before your round. Let the club know you are visiting so they can advise on tee availability and equipment hire. Combine your visit with a stretch of the NC500 route and nearby coastal walks for a fuller day out.
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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
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.
