Highlands Golf Trips: Worth the Journey, or Too Far Off the Route?

At some point in planning a Scotland golf trip, the Highlands come up.

Usually after St Andrews. Sometimes after Ayrshire. Often with a bit of hesitation.

It sounds incredible. Remote links courses, wide open landscapes, fewer crowds. But then the question lands.

Is it worth the extra travel?

The honest answer is yes, but only if you build the trip properly around it.

Why the Highlands Feel Different

You notice it as soon as you head north.

The roads open up. The pace slows down. The landscape becomes part of the experience, not just the backdrop.

Golf in the Highlands isn’t just about the courses. It’s about where those courses sit.

You’re playing alongside coastlines that feel untouched, in towns that haven’t been shaped around tourism in the same way as St Andrews or East Lothian.

As PGA Professional John Scott puts it, “The Highlands is where golf feels a bit more raw. It’s less polished, but in a good way.”

The Courses That Make the Trip

There are a few courses that define Highland golf, and when people make the journey, it’s usually for these.

Royal Dornoch sits right at the top of that list. For many, it’s one of the purest links experiences anywhere in the world. Elevated greens, firm fairways, and a layout that stays with you long after the round.

Castle Stuart brings a slightly different feel. More modern, more open, with views across the Moray Firth that change with the light and weather.

Then there’s Nairn. Slightly more understated, but one of the most enjoyable rounds you’ll play. It has that balance of challenge and playability that works well across a group.

Together, they create a cluster that’s strong enough to justify the journey.

The Travel Question (And Why It Matters)

This is the part you can’t ignore.

From St Andrews or Edinburgh, you’re looking at a few hours on the road to reach the Highlands. It’s not difficult, but it does change the shape of your trip.

Where it goes wrong is when groups try to treat the Highlands as just another stop.

A quick visit. One round. Then back down again.

That’s when it starts to feel like effort.

John often says, “If you’re going north, go properly. Give it the time it deserves.”

When the Highlands Make Perfect Sense

There are a few situations where the Highlands really come into their own.

If you’ve already done a trip to St Andrews or Ayrshire, it’s one of the best ways to experience something different.

If your group prefers a quieter pace, it fits naturally. Fewer crowds, less pressure, more space between rounds.

And if you’re the kind of golfer who enjoys the setting as much as the scorecard, the Highlands delivers something that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

When It Might Not Be the Right Fit

For a first trip, especially a shorter one, it’s not always the best starting point.

If you’ve got five or six days and you’re trying to include:

• St Andrews
• East Lothian
• and the Highlands

something will give. Usually time.

The result is a trip that feels rushed, with too much time spent travelling and not enough time enjoying where you are.

A Better Way to Build It In

The Highlands works best when it’s given space.

That might mean:

• dedicating 2–3 nights to the region
• or building a trip that focuses north from the start

Once you’re there, everything becomes easier. The courses are close enough to link together, and the pace naturally settles.

It stops feeling like a detour and starts feeling like the point of the trip.

What Groups Remember Most

Interestingly, it’s often not just the golf.

It’s the drive into the region. The change in pace. The feeling that you’re somewhere different from the more well-known parts of Scotland.

The rounds themselves become part of that wider experience.

John sums it up well:
“People go for the golf, but they remember the place.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is the Highlands from St Andrews?

Roughly 3–4 hours by road, depending on the route.

How many rounds should we play there?

Typically 2–3 rounds over a few days works best.

Is it suitable for a first Scotland golf trip?

It can be, but it’s often better suited to second or return visits.

Are the courses as good as those in St Andrews or Ayrshire?

Different, but absolutely comparable in quality and experience.

It’s Worth It, If You Do It Right

The Highlands isn’t about convenience.

It’s about experience.

If you try to squeeze it in, it can feel like too much effort. If you build around it properly, it becomes one of the most memorable parts of the entire trip.

If you’re considering adding the Highlands to your Scotland golf itinerary, ProScot Golf can help you structure it in a way that makes the journey part of the experience, not a hurdle to get through.