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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 09 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Fionn Davenport

This stunning links, tucked away north-east of Inverness in northern Scotland, is a delight both to play and look at, with widescreen views as far as the Black Isle peninsula.

Unlike many links courses, the fairways aren’t overly tight, especially off the tees, but it puts all the onus on the quality of your approach, which needs to be accurate to find the perfectly protected greens. The opening holes on both nines make their way along the water before rising up to higher ground; this is where the views really start to open out.

It’s not an old course, but it’s a regular host of the Scottish Open – and it’s not hard to see why.

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Price from: £235
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: -

Getting there & doing it

The course is 7 miles east of Inverness, off the A96; it’s easy to get to. Your handicap will determine the tee you play off; to play off the tips (blacks), you’ll need to secure permission from the clubhouse (and be as close to scratch or better).

When to do it

The course is open all year round, seven days a week, but it’s best played between March and September. Midweek is often quieter than weekends, but be sure to book your tee time well in advance.

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Boath House

Nairn, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[18.7 miles]

Elegant Georgian mansion, now gourmet hotel, with an extensive art collection and gorgeous gardens.

Official star rating:

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Magnificent mountain scenery slashed by silvery lochs and peppered with brooding castles: all laden with rich Scottish heritage, history and tradition.

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Culloden Battlefield

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Fort George
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This 18th-century coastal fortress, still a working barracks, overlook the Moray Firth built after the Battle of Culloden to house the British army. You can wander around the complex, dipping into the regimental museum, checking out the historical tableaux depicting soldiers’ lives and climbing up onto the canon-peppered battlements.

Best for ages: 13+ | £10

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Best for ages: 8+ | £14

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