very quickly during the peak season from May to September,
but the good news is Muirfield has ideal full course playing
conditions all year round.www.muirfield.org.uk
Other golfing options: North Berwick, Gullane No.1.
HIGHLANDS
STAY: Dornoch Castle Hotel. The 15th century Dornoch Castle
Hotel is situated in private and beautifully manicured gardens
opposite the inspiring 12th century Dornoch Cathedral.
Steeped in Scottish history with stories of witchcraft, a secret
underground passageway connecting the Castle and Cathedral
and a harmless ghost - an unhappy sheep stealer by the name
of Andrew McCornish who was imprisoned in the vaulted
dungeons below the Tower and was reputedly seen by the
Minister of Avoch towards the end of the last century.
The 24 en-suite bedrooms are tastefully decorated with 4
deluxe rooms located in the original 15th century castle,
together with the bar and reception. Dornoch Castle Hotel
still bears an air of magnificence and is perfectly situated for
playing the hallowed links of Royal Dornoch only a well-struck
drive and a 5-iron away. www.dornochcastlehotel.com
PLAY: Royal Dornoch. Golf was first played here at least as
far back as 1616 when the Earl of Sutherland ordered clubs
and balls to take up the game that was becoming so popular
further south. This makes Royal Dornoch the third oldest
golfing community in Scotland.
“After the second hole, you round a corner, pass a hedge
and golfing heaven breaks loose.” These words on the club’s
website are temptation enough, but once you go around the
said corner, everything about this world top 20 course is right
in front of you. Framed between the hills and mountains to
the left and the wild North Sea is a rich tapestry of undulating
fairways and plateau greens interspersed with flowering yellow
gorse. Magical stuff. www.royaldornoch.com
Other golf courses: Brora, Nairn & Castle Stuart Golf Links.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
www.visitscotland.com
www.visitscotland.com/golf
rry Golf course
Volume 3 • Issue 25
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