Kin,
Thanks for the confirmation. I'm surprised you didn't get more out of Carnastie. I found it tough, but thrilling. Although I will say that while it doesn't wow you visually, being somewhat subtle, the test is superb.
James,
You generally are spot on with your insights, but I MUST disagree with you on Nairn. Number 8 at Nairn? That is one of the worst short par four links holes I've ever played. That green, PARTICULARLY at the approach, was/is a certified mess. Unless they rebuilt it, which I doubt, it's awful. The nondescript nature of what you found on some holes was my entire feeling on the course. To be fair, it was late October, was wet and the greens were pathetic. That said, I know ground and that place didn't have the goods.
Niall,
Feel free to disagree. Where did who knew more Scottish golfers enter into the discussion? My remarks were to ALL golfers in general. The Scots you know who love it so much can have it, they CERTAINLY won't have me to fight with for a tee time. You equate eye candy with American discernment of course quality. Nice one. As to Nairn having better greens than RD, dream on! Royal Dornoch has as fine a set of links greens as can be found ANYWHERE in the world. That myth about Nairn always having great rolling greens gets a lot of mileage. Sadly, very few folks that I've spoken to that played it found them.
There are few people that have more fondness for Scotland, or the Highlands, than I do. Every chance I can, my championing of visiting there as a MUST is well known to all who know me at all. That said, we can't be honest and not make our assessments as we see them. I hope everyone who plays Nairn loves it and goes back a hundred times, but for me, it's well down on the list and not even in the conversation of better links courses in Scotland.
Cheers,
Kris