Venture North: Tourist Information for Caithness & Sutherland
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Golf the Far North

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Golf the Far North

Caithness and Sutherland offer a golfer's paradise, with a range of courses to challenge and inspire. Explore our curated itineraries and craft your perfect Scottish golfing adventure. Don’t imagine that Dornoch is where golf begins and ends in Caithness and Sutherland. We have a plethora of quirky and charming links courses, and a handful of beautiful inland courses too. Play a selection of the following and stretch your game. Whichever you choose, the scenery will be spectacular, and we hope you’ll renew your love for the sport and find a new favourite to return to, time and time again.

Royal Dornoch and The Struie

Attracting golfers from all over the world, the championship course at Royal Dornoch is one of the finest that exists. Its sister course, The Struie, will entertain the whole family for a more modest green fee.

Plan Your Round at Royal Dornoch

Prepare to be challenged and inspired by the legendary Royal Dornoch course. Steeped in history, this championship links boasts flawless greens, penal rough, and burns that snake through the fairways. The views of Dornoch Firth and the surrounding countryside are simply unforgettable.

Plan Your Round at The Struie

The perfect complement to Royal Dornoch, The Struie offers a more relaxed and affordable golfing experience. This parkland course is ideal for families and golfers of all abilities. Enjoy the scenic setting and the friendly atmosphere at the clubhouse.

More Than Just Golf

The Royal Burgh of Dornoch is a charming town brimming with history and culture. Explore the majestic Dornoch Cathedral, over 800 years old, and immerse yourself in the local heritage at the Dornoch History Links museum. For a touch of retail therapy, browse the unique shops and boutiques lining the streets.

Discover Dornoch

Wick Golf Club

Golf has been played at Wick since 1870, and this challenging links course will delight you with stunning views over Sinclair Bay to Noss Head and its historic castles. It’s the most northerly course on the east coast of Scotland. Open to all, there will be a warm welcome for visitors at the 19th hole too. It would be churlish to leave without sampling a dram from the local distillery, Old Pulteney.

Plan Your Round

More Than Just Golf

Wick, one of the largest towns in Caithness, boasts a rich history and maritime heritage. Explore the Wick Heritage Centre and learn about the town's fascinating past. Take a boat trip to Noss Head, a haven for seabirds and home to the largest colony of gannets in Britain. For a taste of the local culture, visit the Pulteney Distillery, one of the most northerly mainland distilleries in Scotland, and enjoy a tour and tasting.

Discover Wick

Thurso Golf Club

By contrast to Wick’s links location, the golf course at Thurso is in parkland and it boasts the accolade of being the most northerly 18-hole course on the British mainland. Its elevated position above the town means it enjoys fantastic views across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Isles, but it does mean golfers have to battle with the wind on more exposed holes. What a challenge! The course has a mix of tree and whin-lined fairways, the yellow of the gorse making a fantastic golden display in spring and summer. The club and clubhouse (and members, of course!) are renowned for their friendly welcome.

Plan Your Round

More Than Just Golf

Thurso is a vibrant town with a rich history stretching back to Norse and Pictish times. Learn about the area's Viking heritage at the Thurso Museum, or challenge yourself to surf upon the waves with North Coast Watersports. Along with excellent local food and drink, there are plenty of walking and cycling trails in the surrounding countryside, leading you past dramatic cliffs and hidden coves.

Discover Thurso

Durness Golf Club

Voted in 2020 and 2021 as among the world’s top 9-hole courses, the nine-holes at Durness are spectacular, and not to be missed. With the 9th tee positioned on a cliff-top high above crashing waves, and second tee-positions to enable you to play the course as an 18-holer, this friendly, accessible club warrants a special trip to this most north-westerly corner of Sutherland. There’s an honesty box for when the club house is closed. Just go.

Plan Your Round

More Than Just Golf

Durness is a breathtaking location on the north-west coast of Sutherland, known for its dramatic scenery and unspoiled beauty. Explore the spectacular Smoo Cave, a cathedral-like complex of sea caves, waterfalls, and underground passages. Embark on a scenic hike along the Durness coastline, with its towering cliffs, hidden coves, and sandy beaches. Spot an abundance of wildlife, including puffins, dolphins, and seals.

Discover Durness

Reay Golf Club

Reay Golf Club lies on the edge of Sandside Bay and - if you can handle more stunning views – looks out over the ever-changing Pentland Firth and North Atlantic from every one of its 18 holes. This pristine links course is rightly proud of its natural environment and policy of conservation. Run by the community and for the community, Reay welcomes visitors to discover this ‘hidden gem’ of golf. Designed by course architect James Baird, it is often considered to be his finest achievement.

Plan Your Round

More Than Just Golf

Reay is a tiny village steeped in history, with the remains of a stone circle and several Viking houses and burials as well as an historic church. Enjoy a walk along the stunning sweeping bay of Sandside Beach which is a site of Special Scientific Interest owing to its unique habitat. Nearby there is the large town of Thurso and also Mey Castle and Gardens, the former holiday home of the Queen Mother. Venture inland to explore the RSPB nature reserve at Forsinard Pools, a haven for birdwatchers with a wide variety of birdlife.

Lybster Golf Club

Lybster Golf Club is one of the (if not the) shortest 9-hole courses in Scotland, at just 3,858 yards, par 62, SSS 61. This makes the course very popular with a wide range of golfers of differing age groups and abilities. Which golfer wouldn’t want to have ticked this one off?

The course’s longest hole is only 318 yards and its shortest (although by no means the easiest) is only 90 yards. It’s a heathland and heather course, none the less challenging for its short holes.

Plan Your Round

More Than Just Golf

Lybster is a historic village with a picturesque harbor, once the site of a massive herring industry but now a quiet spot to enjoy the sea. The film 'The Silver Darlings' based upon the novel by the same name by Neil Gunn was filmed here. Explore the history of the area at Waterlines Museum and enjoy a hot drink and slice of cake at the museum cafe.

Discover Lybster

Bonar Bridge and Ardgay Golf Club

The only non-links course on our list, this 9-hole wonder in the heart of the Highlands has been voted the most picturesque in Scotland and was described by Peter Aliss as ‘a mini Gleneagles’. Open since 1904, it is a thriving part of the community, and – in common with most courses around the north, welcomes visitors on an ‘honesty box’ basis if there is no steward in the clubhouse when you play. An unforgettable nine holes that you’ll want to return to, repeatedly.

Plan Your Round

More Than Just Golf

Bonar Bridge is a gateway to the heart of the Far North Highlands. Explore the dramatic scenery of the surrounding mountains and lochs. Take a canoe trip on the Kyle of Sutherland, a beautiful sea loch with abundant wildlife. For a taste of Highland culture, visit Balblair Distillery, with a focus on quality not quantity, and enjoy a tour and tasting. Hike or bike through the scenic forests and glens, spotting deer, grouse, and other wild animals.

Discover Bonar Bridge

Discover Ardgay

Golspie Golf Club

Nestled on the shores of the Dornoch Firth, Golspie Golf Club offers a classic links experience mixed with some woodland elements, with stunning views. The course is known for its challenging layout, with wind playing a significant role. Explore the heather-clad fairways and strategically placed bunkers, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the clubhouse after your round.

Plan Your Round

More Than Just Golf

Golspie is a lovely coastal village with a rich history. Explore the imposing Dunrobin Castle, or take a walk along the picturesque beaches. For a taste of local culture, visit one of the village inns to enjoy the food and drink and perhaps even some live music.

Discover Golspie

Brora Golf Club

Unwind amidst the natural beauty of Sutherland at Brora Golf Club. This course offers a scenic setting on a true links course giving breathtaking views of Brora beach and the surrounding Highland hills. The course is known for its well-maintained greens and fairways, providing a challenging yet enjoyable round for golfers of all abilities.

Plan Your Round

More Than Just Golf

Brora is a vibrant village known for its rich history and traditional craftsmanship. Explore the Clynelish Distillery, one of Scotland's oldest and most respected producers of single malt whisky. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are plenty of walking and cycling trails in the surrounding countryside.

Discover Brora

Helmsdale Golf Club

Tee off on the banks of the Helmsdale River at Helmsdale Golf Club. This course may be small but it offers lovely views of the surrounding hills as it winds its way through blooming gorse. The course is known for its challenge in accuracy rather than distance, with a steady hand required. Enjoy the post-game hospitality in the village.

Plan Your Round

More Than Just Golf

Helmsdale is a picturesque town known for its salmon fishing. Explore the fascinating Timespan cultural centre which explores the unique history of this area, or take a wander around the historic harbour and enjoy some fresh seafood.

Discover Helmsdale

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