Balnaglack Farmhouse, Dalcross,
nr Inverness, Inverness-shire IV2 7JL
Office
+44 (0)1463 796 111 (bookings)Pro shop
+44 (0)1463 795 440Fax
+44 (0)1463 796 127Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Gillian Stewart (multiple Ladies European Tour winner).The Course:
18 holes. Coastal links-style. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb
Surroundings:
Seaside and rural countryside.
Designer:
Mark Parsinen & Gil Hanse
Above distances are for the Castle Stuart course. Also at Cabot Highlands (as of summer 2025) is the Tom Doak-designed 18-hole Old Petty course.
57.528868
-4.105741
6 miles NE of Inverness
From Inverness follow the A96 east, direction Nairn. After 4 miles turn left onto the B9039, direction Castle Stuart. After 1.5 mls golf entrance is on your left. The Castle Stuart and Old Petty courses share the same clubhouse.
Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart)
Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart Links): in 2009 the Scottish Highlands acquired another world-class coastal golfing treasure. Now part of Cabot Golf (see Did You Know section), and just a stone's throw from the infamous battlefield of Culloden, the Castle Stuart links is stunningly scenic, and full of wonderfully crafted holes.
Whether at the sea's edge, as on the first three holes of each nine-hole loop, or up on the course's higher elevations, the views here are stunning beyond compare. The ever-present spectacular vistas take in the Moray Firth, Chanonry Peninsula (and lighthouse), Black Isle, Highland mountain ranges and the Kessock Bridge, which crosses the Beauly Firth at Inverness. As you play round Castle Stuart you are never without a spectacular view to admire.
The layout itself combines the smooth lines of a modern-day design with the rugged character of something much older. Several "infinity" greens provide spectacular tee and approach shots, with the Firth, the mountains, or Castle Stuart itself providing scenic backdrops. "Ease of play" considerations and the layout's exposed position directly alongside the Firth, encouraged designers Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse to incorporate generous-width fairways into the layout.
Large and extravagantly undulating greens are matched by the exuberance of some of the bunkering. A mix of revetted pot bunkers and more expansive rustic bunkering reaches epic proportions with an elaborate sand hazard separating the long par-4 5th and par-5 6th fairways. There's also a dramatic sand cliff flanking the tee at the fabulous par-4 13th.
Castle Stuart is as scenic as any golf course in Scotland, and right up there with the best. This might explain the fairly hefty green fee, making it one of the more expensive courses to play among its esteemed Highland peers! [In 2025 the Castle Stuart course will be joined at Cabot Highlands by the Tom Doak-designed Old Petty course].
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends during golf season (April thru' mid-Nov).
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be requested.
Contact club for full details, discounts, day tickets, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Castle Stuart is a walking-only course; golf carts are not available. Caddies available if pre-booked.
Excellent
Castle Stuart Golf Links (which, as an 18-hole course, retains its original name) is now part of Cabot Highlands, itself a part of the growing Cabot Golf brand. Co-founded by Canadian businessman Ben Cowan-Dewar and American entrepreneur Mike Keiser (of Bandon Dunes fame), Cabot started out with two superb coastal courses (Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs) on the island of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia.
In addition to Cabot Cape Breton, the brand's expansion now also includes Cabot Citrus Farms (Florida), Cabot St Lucia (Caribbean), Cabot Revelstoke (British Columbia), Cabot Highlands (Scotland), Cabot Bordeaux (France), and the Lofoten Links (Norway).
The construction of the Castle Stuart (the castle) was started by Mary Queen of Scots' half-brother, James Stuart, the 1st Earl of Moray. He was unfortunately murdered, as was the 2nd Earl, so the castle was eventually finished in 1625 by James Stuart, 3rd Earl of Moray. The castle fell into decline later in the 1600s, and for 300 years remained a derelict ruin. Its wonderful recent restoration is the inspiration of two current day members of this noble Scottish lineage, Charles and Elizabeth Stuart.
Castle Stuart Golf Links opened for play in July 2009, and now offers its own onsite accommodation. The original Castle Stuart, which is adjacent to the golf course, offers 8 historic guest-rooms.
Scotland's 11th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 24th best course (Golf World, 2024).
World's 89th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) 33rd best public access course (Golf World, 2023).
Balnaglack Farmhouse, Dalcross, nr Inverness IV2 7JL.
+44 1463 796 111
Visit websiteCabot Highlands offers a range of onsite accommodation, including the Farmhouse (sleeps 8), Golf Lodge (sleeps 6) and Castle Cottage (sleeps 8). All have been recently refurbished and offer comfortable onsite accommodation. The actual castle itself (Castle Stuart) is a classic Scottish baronial castle, currently being refurbished. In future it will offer 5-star luxury boutique-style hotel accommodation.
Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart)
No
Inverness; Nairn; Nairn Dunbar
The Seafront 63 Seabank Road, Nairn IV12 4HD
+44 (0)1667 452301
Visit website
With its panoramic views across the Moray Firth, the Golf View Hotel in Nairn is the perfect retreat to experience the beauty of Scotland’s coastal scenery.
No
No
Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart); Inverness, Nairn; Nairn Dunbar
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Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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