Can I please get a recommendation near Inverness?

[TNin22]

Hi everyone, I'm approaching a trip to Scotland in July (where I'll be going to get married). I'm lucky to be able to spend 20 days there total, culminating with tickets for the final round of the Open at Royal Troon. 

 

While there, I'm sandwiching in some golf among the other wedding activities: 

- Carnoustie 

- North Berwick 

- Royal Aberdeen 

- St. Andrews Old (if queue is successful) 

 

Then up to our wedding location near Inverness. 

- Castle Stuart / Cabot Highlands 

- Royal Dornoch 

 

I'd love any other recs near that Inverness area. Let me eliminate Brora and Nairn because they don't have AM tee times available on the day I'd be able to play. Are there any other must-plays you all would recommend within a 45 min drive from Inverness? 

 

Also if any of you have any non-golf activities you'd recommend; dining, drinking, activities, I'd be all ears. 

 

Thank you. 

[hammergolf]

16 hours ago, TNin22 said:

Hi everyone, I'm approaching a trip to Scotland in July (where I'll be going to get married). I'm lucky to be able to spend 20 days there total, culminating with tickets for the final round of the Open at Royal Troon. 

 

While there, I'm sandwiching in some golf among the other wedding activities: 

- Carnoustie 

- North Berwick 

- Royal Aberdeen 

- St. Andrews Old (if queue is successful) 

 

Then up to our wedding location near Inverness. 

- Castle Stuart / Cabot Highlands 

- Royal Dornoch 

 

I'd love any other recs near that Inverness area. Let me eliminate Brora and Nairn because they don't have AM tee times available on the day I'd be able to play. Are there any other must-plays you all would recommend within a 45 min drive from Inverness? 

 

Also if any of you have any non-golf activities you'd recommend; dining, drinking, activities, I'd be all ears. 

 

Thank you. 

Tain is pretty good. However, I would play Dornoch again.

Edited June 18, 2024 by hammergolf

[Chanceman]

Fortrose and Rosemarkie is a dinky links course across the water from Castle Stuart. Worth playing. 
While in Inverness you have to visit the Culloden battlefield. Also Leakey’s bookshop is interesting. And Gellions pub is so old with good food.

Happy days. 

[sabram]

Nairn Dunbar is very close and pretty good. Moray is very good and just about at your 45 minute drive time limit

[El Gringo]

II second Moray Old. If you do play MO you must play Covesea. It’s a seriously good 9 holer a few minutes west of Lossiemouth. Speaking of Lossiemouth, try to play MO when the RAF is flying. 
 

Boat of Garten isn’t a must play, but it’s a charmer. 

[LukeDonaldsTiger]

Golspie

Tain

Fortrose & Rosemarkie

Boat of Garten

 

In that order for quality and convenience 

[sabram]

8 hours ago, LukeDonaldsTiger said:

Golspie

Tain

 

I would have suggested them, but they are further from Inverness than the OP wants

[TNin22]

3 hours ago, sabram said:

I would have suggested them, but they are further from Inverness than the OP wants

Ok, so I wouldn't mind going a bit further if you think one of these two is far better than Moray Old. 

[El Gringo]

4 hours ago, TNin22 said:

Ok, so I wouldn't mind going a bit further if you think one of these two is far better than Moray Old. 

They aren’t, but if you are willing to stretch the time, Brora might well be worth your time.

 

 

Edited June 18, 2024 by El Gringo

[LukeDonaldsTiger]

Agree. I was a bit disappointed of the condition Tain was in (in May this year). Golspie is charming but not spectacular. 
Brora is great but pretty far up the road. 

[sabram]

7 hours ago, TNin22 said:

Ok, so I wouldn't mind going a bit further if you think one of these two is far better than Moray Old. 

I'd probably choose  Moray. 

 

[hammergolf]

If you’re willing to drive an hour to play Moray, drive the same distance and play another round at Dornoch. There’s nothing around in the class of playing another round at Dornoch.

[TNin22]

18 hours ago, hammergolf said:

If you’re willing to drive an hour to play Moray, drive the same distance and play another round at Dornoch. There’s nothing around in the class of playing another round at Dornoch.

That’s interesting idea. I’d very much consider but Dornoch doesn’t have the AM tee time I need. Those seem to fill up well in advance. Luckily when I do play Dornoch, I’m scheduled for 36. 

[scott_Donald]

was thinking does Dornoch actually have times.

 

Moray Old for me. I love Hopeman for a cheap fun round but I wouldn't do it on your trip of a lifetime! I played Turnberry on my wedding morning.