One of the world’s great courses and only the remoteness of its location hinders it from being an Open venue. Dornoch is possibly Scottish links golf at its best, whatever the time of year. In spring, the sea of yellow gorse is truly something to behold.

On a summer’s evening, or in the still of an autumn afternoon when the heather is in full purple bloom, Dornoch is as close to a golfing paradise as one can get. Golf has been played here since the 17th century but it was the influence of the legendary Tom Morris in 1886 that made it the spectacle and challenge that it is today. Dornoch is located roughly 30 miles north of Inverness.

Designed by Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse, Castle Stuart opened in July 2009 and has become one of the finest links courses in Scotland. Located 6 miles east of Inverness and 1 hour south of Royal Dornoch, this championship links course overlooks the Moray Firth and well-known landmarks of Kessock Bridge, Chanonry Lighthouse and the Black Isle.

At 7,007 yards from the back tees, the course’s distinctive features include ‘rumple’, bunkers, infinity edges, generous fairways and contoured greens. Castle Stuart is also now a Scottish Open venue, cementing its place as one of the top Scottish golf courses.

Set in the Highlands, just north of Royal Dornoch, Brora Golf Cub is a little known except to locals. This gem of a links was designed by Old Tom Morris and upgraded by James Braid, it combines beautiful scenery and exceptional views with some very testing holes.

Brora is a true links course with a mixture of bent grass, beach sand and gorse; there is also a railway line that comes into play on the 10th hole.

Although it only plays 6,110 yards from the back tees, the course provides plenty of challenges for all golfers and it is not uncommon to see sheep and cattle roaming the fairways. However, small electric wire fences are in place to keep them off the greens!!

Founded in 1887, Nairn was made the great links challenge that it is today by Tom Morris and, subsequently, the renowned James Braid of Earlsferry.

Nairn may appear to be a fairly straight forward track through whins and heather, but one only has to play it once to appreciate why it is considered one of the best championship courses in Scotland.

Far from a casual walk through the dunes, the course requires that you call on the whole spectrum of shots available in a golfer’s repertoire. Nairn has hosted the Walker Cup and the British Amateur Championship, as well as other prestigious tournaments.