[Keith Durrant]

Any suggestions on places to stay in the vicinity for a group of 3-4 for 2-3 nights?

Of Nairn, Tain and Brora, which would be your preference to play after Dornoch itself (assuming you could only play 2 of them)?

Thanks

[Sean_A]

Keith

http://www.dornochcastlehotel.com/  Also, out David Tepper has a property in town as well.

If drive times and/or money aren't a problem, I would say Brora and Nairn are the two to play of your choices. 

Ciao

[James Boon]

Keith,

Of your other courses then Brora is a must play, as I have myself many times, and I'm sure there are plenty on here who will back this up. I haven't actually managed to play Nairn or Tain so I'm sure others can comment better. I can though recommend reading "A Season in Dornoch" by Lorne Rubenstein to give you a better idea of the place...

Enjoy your trip,

James

[David_Tepper]

Keith -

When are you thinking of going there? I will be there May 9 to June 6. I will IM you within the next day or two with some housing options.

I certainly do have a bias, but I think Golspie deserves to be in the discussion regarding 2nd course options in and around Dornoch, especially now that the condition of the course has been greatly upgraded by the new greenskeeper over the past 1 1/2 years.

I would rank your choices as Brora, then Golspie, then Tain. Nairn is likely a "better" course than all 3 of them, but it is at least two or three times as expensive and it is a much further drive from Dornoch.

Don't overlook Fortrose & Rosemarkie, which is one of the more unique courses I have come across.

DT

[Alister Matheson]

Keith,
        If you dont get digs sorted out with David i would say the Marine Hotel in Brora would
       be a great base for Dornoch ,Brora and Golspie they are ALL kept in super condition
         and  ALL offer superb value and variety for your money .
 
 
   Have a great trip
                             Ally
                   
                           
       

[Jason Topp]

My family stayed at the Eagle Hotel.  It was nothing extravagent but a nice place to stay in a terrific location at a relatively reasonable price. 

[Bill_McBride]

I took a group of 8 to Dornoch in June 2008.  We split 4 and 4 between David Tepper's flat and the next door flat which was rented from an owner in London.  It worked out great, very comfortable and a short walk to the Dornoch course and walking distance to everything in the town.  We were there for 5 nights and played Royal Dornoch 3x, the Struie, Brora, and Golspie, which was the sleeper of the group.  Golspie is great fun, with holes along the ocean, up in parkland and some in heathery areas.  There are go for broke short par 4s and a great collection of par 3s.  #8 and #9 are a really tough pair of par 4s.

By all means try to get in a round at Nairn.  It was a Walker Cup host course and has wonderful greens.  The constant cross wind (out and back parallel to the Firth) can wear on you but it's very challenging.

[Jon Wiggett]

Keith,

it is a bit of a drive north but Wick is a great example of true links golf in a raw natural state. Otherwise I would agree with David T

[Keith Durrant]

Many thanks for all your suggestions.

[Brent Carlson]

Sounds like DT has you covered. 

I can vouch for the Bank House.  Really good stuff.

[Dave McCollum]

I've stayed at both the Dornoch Castle and the Eagle.  I liked the Eagle better, but I like small hotels with good pubs and reasonable rates.  I too think Brora is a must play.  I looked at Narin and Golspie.  Narin's posh clubhouse probably contributes to it's steep rates.  One of Narin's employees told me about some midweek special rate, but it didn't fit my schedule.  Its also a couple of hours drive from Dornoch.  Golspie and Brora are less than a half hour.  The new the New Castle Stuart course (Gil Hanse) opens in July according to its website.  Maybe there will be a soft local opening before at less than their published 150 GBP fees.  Pictures are intriquing and its right next to the Inverness Airport.   

Dornoch is a hoot.  I should have played it again the next day.  My loss.  Have fun.   

[Emil Weber]

I have only played Nairn, but I tell you, it's very well worth a visit. Dornoch is unbeatable, though.

[Jason Topp]

Brora is nice.  Definitely include it in your itinerary:

[Ron Csigo]

How long is the drive from Dornoch to Cruden Bay?  Does anyone know?

[Melvyn Morrow]

Ron

If you are going to drive to Cruden from Dornoch, I would suggest that it’s not done in a single fast track way. Take the day off and if you have not been in the North of Scotland before take the opportunity to call in and check out some of the courses on the way down

I would travel from Inverness to Nairn, Lossiemouth/Elgin Buckie, Cullen, Fraserburgh, Peterhead the Cruden.

The return would be via Aberdeen on the A96 to Huntly, Keith, then A95 to Aberlour down to Boat of Garten, then back up the A9 to Inverness.

Select your course first and subject to time call in to as many as possible.

One course you must check out if not the town is Strathpeffer Spa, near Dingwall about an hours drive south of Tain/Dornoch.

You may then enjoy the drive- which is about 170-180 miles if you follow the coast road.

Good luck

Melvyn

[Ron Csigo]

Ron

If you are going to drive to Cruden from Dornoch, I would suggest that it’s not done in a single fast track way. Take the day off and if you have not been in the North of Scotland before take the opportunity to call in and check out some of the courses on the way down

I would travel from Inverness to Nairn, Lossiemouth/Elgin Buckie, Cullen, Fraserburgh, Peterhead the Cruden.

The return would be via Aberdeen on the A96 to Huntly, Keith, then A95 to Aberlour down to Boat of Garten, then back up the A9 to Inverness.

Select your course first and subject to time call in to as many as possible.

One course you must check out if not the town is Strathpeffer Spa, near Dingwall about an hours drive south of Tain/Dornoch.

You may then enjoy the drive- which is about 170-180 miles if you follow the coast road.

Good luck

Melvyn

Melvyn,

Thank you kindly for your suggestions and expertise.  I wanted to get a better idea so that I may properly plan my vacation when visiting the North of Scotland.  Hopefully, next year. 

[Ken Moum]

How long is the drive from Dornoch to Cruden Bay?  Does anyone know?

It took my group all day to get from our B&B in Fraserbrough (30 minutes from Cruden) to Nairn, but we did stop at The Macallan and Aberlour establishments. <grin>

It's something like two hours from Nairn to Dornoch.

Having traveled from Nairn to Dornoch and Brora on consective days, I would never recommend it. Despite enjoying the hospitality of Greenlawns B&B in Nairn.

[Alister Matheson]

Brora is nice.  Definitely include it in your itinerary:

                                                            Looks like my cousin Malcolm was your caddy/ guide !

[David_Tepper]

Ron Csigo -

1) The drive time from Dornoch to Nairn should be no more than 75 minutes. The new Castle Stuart course is 10 minutes closer to Dornoch.

2) The drive time from Dornoch to Cruden Bay is roughly 2 1/2 hours, maybe 20-30 minutes more, as it is mostly on 2-lane roads and traffic can get bogged down at times.

3) Brora, Golspie & Tain are all within a 15-20 minute drive of Dornoch.

DT

[Emil Weber]

I might consider to add Moray to the list. It's not a very spectacular links (unless you like military jets flying around your head) but it has got some great greens.

[David_Tepper]

FYI, Lossiemouth and Moray Old are one and the same (very good) course!

[David_Tepper]

Ron Csigo -

Some further on driving distances/times relative to Dornoch:

1) It is 200 miles from Edinburgh airport to Dornoch, a drive time of roughly 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

2) It is 225 miles from Glasgow airport to Dornoch, a drive time of roughly 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

DT 

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