Castle Stuart
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Course Type
Resort -
GOLF Top 100 World Rank (2023-24)
89 -
Year
2009 -
Architects
Gil Hanse/Mark Parsinen -
Par
72 -
Yardage
7,009
Course Overview
This brilliant Gil Hanse/Mark Parsinen design, now part of Cabot Highlands, features a loose figure-8 routing that takes maximum advantage of the 1.4 miles of frontage along the Moray Firth. Both nines feature a series of holes that play along the shoreline before climbing to higher ground. Highlights include wide fairways, wild and woolly bunkers and panoramic views of Moray Firth and the Scottish Highlands. The course’s thrilling finish features three consecutive ½-par holes where anything can happen: the drivable 16th, the brutish one-shot 17th (which plays in the opposite direction as 16) and the par-5 18th, which cascades downhill toward the distinctive white art-deco clubhouse. The views are memorable too: stunning long views across the Moray Firth provide inspiration and comfort even when your swing does not. A second course designed by Tom Doak opens in 2024. (Photo: Stephen Szurlej)
3 things to know
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Hole everyone talks about
The 18th, which charges down the coastline toward the stark-white clubhouse, is one of the most well-regarded closing-hole designs of the last few decades. -
Best non-golf amenity
On a sunny day, the Ness Islands are one of the most beloved public spaces in all of Scotland, with beautiful bridges running over the River Ness to lead visitors in. -
Insider tip
Don’t limit your trip to just Cabot Highlands. Royal Dornoch, Nairn, Brora, Tain and Golspie are all within an hour’s drive of the first tee box on a good day. It’s no Scottish “golf coast,” but it might be even more essential than that. Bonus: There’s a second course coming soon to Castle Stuart — by Tom Doak.