Scottish Highlands 9-day Itinerary
United Kingdom (UK)
Where to go and what to see in the Scottish Highlands to get the most from your trip – a 10-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Lucy Gillmore.
Website >
Overview >Bucket list experience:
Castle Stuart Golf Links
Last updated: 09 November, 2022
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.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
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.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
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:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Scottish Highlands
Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (UK)
Magnificent mountain scenery slashed by silvery lochs and peppered with brooding castles: all laden with rich Scottish heritage, history and tradition.
Website >
Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Culloden Battlefield
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[5.6 miles]
An atmospheric, historic battlefield with a state-of-the-art visitor centre that brings the bloody events of 1745 to life.
Best for ages: 13+ | £11
Cruise the Scottish Highlands
Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[9.1 miles]
Sail through Scotland’s mesmerising Highlands along the dramatic Caledonian Canal, taking in spectacular landscapes, craggy castles, whisky distilleries and glassy lochs, as well as the islands and waterways of the Inner Hebrides.
Best for ages: 13+ | Varies | 5-7 days
Website >
Overview >Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
Fort George
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[6.5 miles]
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
Website >
Overview >
Experience
Cawdor Castle & Gardens
Cawdor, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[10.7 miles]
A place of pilgrimage for Shakespeare scholars (Macbeth was the Thane of Cawdor), this ancient fortress complete with drawbridge, turrets and towers dates back to the 14th century and is furnished with rare Flemish tapestries, oil paintings and fine antiques. The walled gardens peppered with contemporary sculptures are also a highlight.
Best for ages: 8+ | £14
Website >
Overview >
Round-ups that include this experience
34 World’s best golf courses
Multiple countries
Spectacular landscapes, impeccable fairways and greens, brilliantly-designed holes and plenty of golfing folklore – we asked golf expert and journalist Fionn Davenport to recommend his top 30 golf courses from around the world.
Website >
Overview >