The Scottish Highlands - A Golfing Tour

[Sean_A]

I liked Skibo a lot, but the consecutive holes on the back nine along the water into the prevailing wind really don't help the flow of the course.  Still, there is some terrific variety in the design, the land is interesting and some of the shaping is very cool.  I would like to return, but I fear the price tag is way beyond my sensibilities. 

Ciao

[Mike Hendren]

Kevin, thank you (and others) for this wonderful account and guide.  Mrs. and I have been considering The Highlands for 2016 and this thread cinches the deal.  Thinking July so Mrs. can enjoy the beachs and I can squeeze the golf in during the long daylight.
 
Thoughts on best time of the year?
 
Mike

[Phil McDade]

Kevin, thank you (and others) for this wonderful account and guide.  Mrs. and I have been considering The Highlands for 2016 and this thread cinches the deal.  Thinking July so Mrs. can enjoy the beachs and I can squeeze the golf in during the long daylight.
 
Thoughts on best time of the year?
 
Mike

Bogey:


Summer, generally -- there is just something about watching 11 p.m. sunsets that is wonderful to experience. Kevin has some good highlights, but there is a lot to see and do in the Highlands that doesn't necessarily involve golf and beaches. I have a few favorites if you are interested.

[David_Tepper]

"Thoughts on best time of the year?"

Michael H. -

I would suggest late May/early June instead of July. There is still plenty of daylight and there will not be quite as many tourists/travelers about. You will also get to see the gorse in full bloom.

In addition, at that time of year you stand a good chance of avoiding the dreaded midges.

http://www.scotlandinaweek.com/midges-in-scotland.html

DT

[Mike Hendren]

Good input David.  Over here your midges are call no-see-ums.
How are the temps in May/June?
 
Mike

[David_Tepper]

Michael H. -

I have spent much of May & a bit of June in Dornoch for the past 12 years. This year was the coldest visit we have ever had there, with temps in the low 50F's almost ever day. I played almost every round in a stocking hat.

But there have been visits when I wished I brought more short-sleeved shirts and I was the only guy in my 4-ball wearing long pants.

The odds are mid-June will offer better weather than mid-May, but be prepared for anything (and everything!) weather-wise.

DT

 

[Kevin Markham]

Certainly I heard many tales of woe regarding this year's weather and how it only warmed up from September on. As you can see from the photographs, I was exceptionally lucky. And as Phil points out there is so much that you can do that has nothing to do with golf.


That said, I always recommend that golfers visit Ireland in Apr/May and Sept/Oct. I don't know Scotland nearly as well, but based on the last couple of summers I don't see that the summer months offer better weather... plus the summer on the big courses will be pandemonium.


As for the midgies, I was assured that the coastal locations aren't as badly affected... but having been eaten alive at Machrahanish I take that with a pinch of salt. And that's another reason for avoiding the summer.

[Andrew Simpson]

I'd roughly go with what David and Kevin have said about times, may into early June then sept/oct as mid june/early sept are the tourist season, though they are not sell outs. We always say that sometime May always has the best week of the year but it didn't happen this year.
 The east and north coast golf and beach wise are not as bad for midges as the west and inland but there are some bad pockets with the right conditions.
 The long daylight hours are great over the summer and even at the times mentioned you could finish a round at 10 pm with nice soft light. If you have a better idea of what you are looking for or dates feel free to message me and I'll try to help.

[Howard Riefs]

Kevin did a great job in writing about his trip for Golf Digest:

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-high-road-to-scotland

(Apologies if this was previously posted elsewhere)

[Mike Hendren]

Any comments on this NC500 itenerary for the Mrs. and me?  Might need to sacrifice Ullapool or Applecross for golf at Reay or Tain.
Day 1:  Overnight flight from Nashville to Inverness
Day 2:  Rent car, then check in to Beach Cottage B & B in Inverness.
Day 3:  Play Castle Stuart, drive over the Bealach na Ba to Applecross.  Check in to Applecross Inn.
Day 4:  Visit Inverewe Gardens, drive to Ullapool.  Check in to Westlea Guest House.
Day 5:  Drive to Durness.  Visit Smoo Cave and play Durness GC.  Check in to Churchend Cottage.
Day 6:  Drive to Wick.  Visit Castle of Mey, Duncansby Head Stacks and Old Pulteney  Distillery.  Check in to The Clachan. 
Day 7:  Golf at Wick. Visit Dunrobin Castle and Balblair Distillery.  Check in to at No. 9.
Day 8:  Golf at Brora and Royal Dornoch.
Day 9:  Golf at Royal Dornoch, train to Edinburgh.   
Must tack on a day or two for the Mrs. in Edinburgh.
Kevin, I hope you don't mind me piggy-backing on your thread. 
 
Mike         

[Phil McDade]

Bogey:


A very scenic route -- I would only make a few observations:


-- Don't assume anything close to normal driving times, esp. along the Western coast, and notably into and out of Applecross. The common American assumption of 1 mile = @ 1 minute of driving time should be doubled (i.e., 1 mile = @ 1/2 mile of driving time).


-- The scenery there is so gob-smacking incredible that I'd urge you to make sure you have time to simply stop along the way and take it all in (assuming you're not fogged in on the Western coast).


-- Take a day or two in Edinburgh for both you and the Mrs. -- a wonderful city, full of great sites and architecture and history.

[David_Tepper]

Mike H. -

That plan looks pretty good. Stops on the west coast to consider include:

1) Lunch at the Kylesku Hotel, which is north of Ullapool and famous for their langoustines. Not a bad place for dinner and/or to spend the night either.

http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk/

2) Play the 9-hole Gairloch course.

3) Lunch at the Badacroh Inn, a bit south of Gairloch.

http://badachroinn.filmdesign.me.uk/

DT 

[Niall C]

Mike

Your intinerary is similar to the one I made last year except in reverse. I went round the other way.

The main comment I'd make about your itinerary is the stretch between Ullapool and Durness and then just east of Durness is easily the most scenic of the trip. As Phil suggests there will be plenty of moments that you will want to simply stop the car and get out and take it all in, or maybe take a detour down some side road such as the roundabout route to Lochinver.

Basically what you are trying to do on days 5 and 6 you should maybe look at doing over 3 days.

Niall

[Andrew Simpson]

Any comments on this NC500 itenerary for the Mrs. and me?  Might need to sacrifice Ullapool or Applecross for golf at Reay or Tain.
Day 1:  Overnight flight from Nashville to Inverness
Day 2:  Rent car, then check in to Beach Cottage B & B in Inverness.
Day 3:  Play Castle Stuart, drive over the Bealach na Ba to Applecross.  Check in to Applecross Inn.
Day 4:  Visit Inverewe Gardens, drive to Ullapool.  Check in to Westlea Guest House.
Day 5:  Drive to Durness.  Visit Smoo Cave and play Durness GC.  Check in to Churchend Cottage.
Day 6:  Drive to Wick.  Visit Castle of Mey, Duncansby Head Stacks and Old Pulteney  Distillery.  Check in to The Clachan. 
Day 7:  Golf at Wick. Visit Dunrobin Castle and Balblair Distillery.  Check in to at No. 9.
Day 8:  Golf at Brora and Royal Dornoch.
Day 9:  Golf at Royal Dornoch, train to Edinburgh.   
Must tack on a day or two for the Mrs. in Edinburgh.
Kevin, I hope you don't mind me piggy-backing on your thread. 
 
Mike         

I'd say the start and the drive to Durness [/size]is a bit leisurely[/size][size=78%]. [/size]
2, Get the car, play Castle Stuart (or miss it and play it day 8 or 9)and get to Applecross. Don't miss it and the West coast, it's all scenery not to miss.
3, Head up the coast, do Inverewe gardens and up to stay at Durness.
If you are playing mid summer you will probably have time to play in the evening.
4, Smoo, play Reay and do Mey Duncansby, Pulteney (might need to drop Pulteney)
5 Wick, (Add Pulteney) Dunrobin No9
6 Brora Balblair
7 Dornoch all day
8 head to Fortrose or Castle Stuart stay at Beach B&b
I think that is a better use of time giving plenty of time on the Scenic bits and might have time for 9 holes before Durness on day 2. then durness/ smoo / reay but that plan might get tough unless you use it to get back to 9 days adding some others.
What time of year are you planning?

[Mike Hendren]

Back at the desk after two weeks in the Highlands.  Vastly exceeded great expectations.  Would you like to read more and if so should I continue this thread?  Don't want to bore anyone.

Mike

[Tony_Muldoon]

Back at the desk after two weeks in the Highlands.  Vastly exceeded great expectations.  Would you like to read more and if so should I continue this thread?  Don't want to bore anyone.

Mike

Delighted you enjoyed your tour. I never thought you'd turn out to be a tease.

Bring it on!

[hhuffines]

Yes, please give us details of the experiences you enjoyed the most!  Hart

[David_Tepper]

Should anyone contemplate a journey around the North Coast 500, be aware there is an excellent pamphlet produced by the Inverness Architectural Association that highlights 48 buildings and structures worth seeing along the way. Buildings cited range from historic Fort George to the recently built halfway house at Royal Dornoch.

The brochure is titled the Architectural Guide to the North Coast 500.

[Phil McDade]

Back at the desk after two weeks in the Highlands.  Vastly exceeded great expectations.  Would you like to read more and if so should I continue this thread?  Don't want to bore anyone.

Mike

Can't wait to hear reports....

[Mike Hendren]

Just a teaser until I get my photographs loaded:  I was very fortunate to be paired with a former Amateur Champion and Walker Cupper in a vicious match with David Tepper and James Boon at Royal Dornoch.  My partner played brilliantly but could not put the determined GCA stallwarts away.  Frustrated, I stiffed my 7-iron at the 13th and center cut a three footer for a two.  As I retrieved my ball I thought I spied a vague image of Rich Goodale in the gorse nodding approval.   Clearly I needed to go to the whip as my partner responded brilliantly and finished our tenacious opponents at the 16th.  Sometimes a player just has to do what a player has to do.  I'd rather be clutch than good.

Bogey

[David_Tepper]

The North Coast 500 is on the verge of becoming a victim of its own success:

http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Is-this-the-highway-to-hell-or-a-road-paved-with-gold-16062016.htm