Links ClassicHidden Gem

Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club

Fortrose, Black Isle · Designed by James Braid (1924); golf here since 1793 · Est. 1793

Fortrose & Rosemarkie occupies one of the most spectacular pieces of golfing ground in Scotland — Chanonry Point, a slender spit of links land reaching out into the Moray Firth on the Black Isle north of Inverness. Golf has been played here since 1793, making it one of the oldest courses in the world, with the present layout shaped by James Braid in 1924.

At par 71 over around 5,900 yards, it is not long, but the setting and the wind make it a delight and a genuine test: the links runs out along the narrow peninsula with the sea close on both sides, a lighthouse at the point, and — remarkably — some of the best land-based dolphin watching in Europe right beside the golf, as bottlenose dolphins hunt in the tidal race off Chanonry Point.

Atmospheric, historic and utterly memorable, "the Fortrose links" is one of the special hidden gems of Highland golf. The links occupies Chanonry Ness, a finger of dune and machair pointing out into the Moray Firth toward Fort George across the water, and the lighthouse at the point marks one of the best dolphin-watching spots in Europe. It is a short but endlessly charming course where the wind, the tight lies and the sheer beauty of the setting are the whole challenge.

Holes worth knowing

1The peninsula holes — the links runs out along the narrow Chanonry spit with the Moray Firth close on both sides and a lighthouse at the point.
2The short, strategic layout — under 6,000 yards but, exposed to the firth wind, a subtle and thoroughly enjoyable test.

Highlights

One of the oldest golf courses in the world
On a dramatic spit into the Moray Firth
A James Braid links (1924)
Dolphin watching off Chanonry Point beside the course

Good to know

→Golf has been played here since 1793 — one of the oldest courses in the world — on one of the most beautiful sites in Scottish golf.
→Chanonry Point beside the course is among the best places in Europe to see bottlenose dolphins from land — time a rising tide for the best chance.
→It is short but exposed: the Moray Firth wind, not length, is the challenge, so flight the ball and enjoy the setting.
→The pretty Black Isle villages of Fortrose, Rosemarkie and Cromarty are close, as is the Black Isle's wildlife and whisky.
→Inverness is 30 minutes; pair it with Nairn, Castle Stuart and the Dornoch-firth links for a great Highland tour.