Pitlochry and Blair Atholl

[Simon Holt]

Has anyone played either or both?  Thoughts from both a visitor and architectural standpoint?

They both seem to be great value and break-up the A9 drive to the Highlands.  Blair Atholl seems to be a 9 hole Braid design.

Thanks,

Simon

[Pete_Pittock]

Pitlochry is well documented. Ran added it to the courses by country section late last year

[David_Tepper]

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/scotland/pitlochry-golf-club/

[Jon Wiggett]

Simon,

both are very friendly to guests. Pitlochry is a good example of Braid's work but quite hilly so you need to be fit. It's been a long time since I played the course at Blair Atholl but it is a pleasant enough 9 hole with a couple of good holes though I would imagine it is a bit wet at the moment. Both would make a good break though on the way up.

Jon

[Carl Johnson]

Seen BA, so I know it's there!  Others on the way: http://visitcairngorms.com/onthetee

[Bill_McBride]

Portrose and Rosemarkie has always fascinated me.  Who's played there?

[David_Tepper]

"Portrose and Rosemarkie has always fascinated me.  Who's played there?"

Bill -

I have played F&R (Fortrose!) 4-5 times. Well worth playing at least once. A remarkable routing on a very tight property. Small greens. Very scenic as well. At times you feel like you are playing golf on the deck of an aircraft carrier.

However, it is hard to imagine a course more exposed to the wind.

DT

[Niall C]

Simon

I thought you didn’t play inland golf !?!

I’ve played both of them and while Blair Atholl (sometimes known as Invertilt) sometimes feels like a bit of a field it is quite pleasant and does have some interesting features including a double green, a lovely par 3 tucked in the corner and a couple of greens with some interesting contours. The clubhouse is small and basic as you might expect but the people friendly. Also cheap as chips. The only drawback is the A9 is adjacent and you hear the rumble of traffic continuously. From my recollection it’s a Willie Fernie design if you are into that sort of thing.

Pitlochry – well worth a play some really nice features. Again a Fernie design with modifications by C.K. Hutchison and it’s probably Hutchisons handiwork that has produced the interesting shaping of the greens. Spectacular views on a clear day and don’t worry about the climb, it’s not as bad as it looks. Much nicer clubhouse.

If you are looking for somewhere to play while travelling up or down the A9 I’d suggest as a possible alternative Strathtay which is a fun 9 holer with some pretty quirky holes. It’s about 10 mins off the A9 at Ballinluig before you get to Blair Atholl. Basic hut for a clubhouse with an honesty box outside. Of the three courses it’s probably the one I’d play again first.

Niall

[Jon Wiggett]

Niall,

I had always thought Pitlochry was a Braid though not sure where I got this from. It has always reminded me of Strathpeffer but maybe that is more to do with the hillside setting though the green modelling is very Braidesk.

Blair Atholl is however listed as a Braid even on their own website although it has less of a feeling of being a Braid course apart from the odd hole or two. I wonder if they have redone some of the greens. It is a shame about the A9 as you say but worth the GF none the less.

Jon

[Brent Hutto]

I stopped over at Pitlochry for a couple days on the way from Dornoch down to Glasgow. Stayed at a B&B in the village of Moulin (adjacent to the course) and played three rounds. The initial climb on the first few holes is tiring but the up-and-downness of the remainder of the course is entirely manageable, especially given the short total distance of the walk.

The second day I was there, first thing after breakfast I took a walk up to the top of that big hill adjacent to the golf course (can't remember the name). Then played a late-morning round, had a late lunch in the clubhouse and another 18 late in the day. It was an exhausting but thoroughly relaxing day. Pitlochry is, for me, definitely one of those courses that pass the test of making you want to head straight from the 18th green to the 1st tee and do it all again!

[Rich Goodale]

I've played Pitlochry a few times and it is one of the better of the many "up and down" courses in the Scottish highlands.  <5 Doakish but the views are great if the weather is kind and you are fit enough to enjoy them.  Never played Blair Atholl, but in an interesting twist, I picked up a local golf rag yesterday and a couple of entreprenuers who had apparently saved Pitlochry from liquidiation a year or two ago have just signed up to do the same thing for Blair Atholl.  It might be an interesting set of stories to google, if you ar interested in the survival of golf in Scotland.

[Marty Bonnar]

If you ever get to Pitlochry, DO NOT, under any circumstances, miss getting to Edradour. That's what I call a life-enhancing experience..!
F.

[Steve Wilson]

Bill,
I've played Fortrose and Rosemarkie a half a dozen times.  It's a brilliant routing to squeeze that much quality golf onto that narrow peninsula.  The best golf is in the opening 5-6 holes with some incredibly broken terrain on the par 5.  On the back he had to corkscrew the holes in to the narrow space and then the 18th shoots out to finish under the clubhouse windows.  An easy walk and well worth a visit.

[Mark Pearce]

If you ever get to Pitlochry, DO NOT, under any circumstances, miss getting to Edradour. That's what I call a life-enhancing experience..!
F.

Indeed.  Great distillery, great visit.

[Niall C]

Jon

Braid could very well have been to Pitlochry given how he got about but I think the club largely credit Fernie and Hutchison and they seem quite aware of their history. They have a course history and map posted outside the clubhouse for anyone interested. Ned to check my Braid book when I get back to base.

Niall

[David_Tepper]

My 20-year old copy of The Sunday Telegraph Golf Course Guide To Britain & Ireland, shows the following for Pitlochry:

"Designed by W. Fernie, modernised by Major Cecil Hutchinson"

 

[Jon Wiggett]

Jon

Braid could very well have been to Pitlochry given how he got about but I think the club largely credit Fernie and Hutchison and they seem quite aware of their history. They have a course history and map posted outside the clubhouse for anyone interested. Ned to check my Braid book when I get back to base.

Niall

Like I said in my reply...