The best golf courses on the NC500: Scotland’s ultimate golf road trip
The NC500 and Scotland’s Golfing
The North Coast 500 is often described as the most impressive road trips in the UK.
It loops around the far north of Scotland, starting and finishing in Inverness, travelling up the east coast to John O’Groats, then heading west to the small village of Durness, then down the rugged west coast to Applecross before returning inland to the Highland capital, Inverness.
Royal Dornoch, East Coast
What many people do not realise is that the NC500 is also one of the best long distance golf routes in Europe.
Scotland is the birthplace of golf and some of the greatest course designers have shaped the country’s greens and fairways for more than 150 years. Names like Old Tom Morris, James Braid and Donald Ross appear again and again on this route. Royal Dornoch itself is one of the most influential courses in golfing history. Donald Ross, the legendary architect of Pinehurst No. 2, learned the game here and brought its traditional links principles to the United States.
Along the NC500 you will find over 20 golf courses that range from world famous championship layouts to tiny nine hole cliff top tracks where sheep graze on the fairways.
Your journey begins in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands and the gateway to the north. From here the adventure unfolds into something that is both a golfing pilgrimage and a great Scottish road trip.
NC500 Golf courses map
For golfers planning their route, my NC500 golf courses map is essential.
It helps you visualise where each course sits along the coastline, from the world class links around Dornoch to the remote fairways of Durness and Gairloch.
View the free version to the right.
Top 5 Golf Courses on the NC500
This section highlights the best golf courses on the NC500. These are the stand out layouts that every golfer should try at least once.
1. Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Royal Dornoch is one of the most highly regarded links courses in the world. It offers rolling fairways, raised greens, superb conditioning and sweeping views over the Dornoch Firth. Many say it is the best course they have ever played.
Royal Dornoch Golf Course at Sunset
2. Tain Golf Club
An Old Tom Morris design that is full of character. Expect natural links terrain, heather, gorse, a meandering burn and immaculate greens. It is considered one of the finest championship courses in the north.
3. Brora Golf Club
A true traditional Highland links experience where sheep roam freely and electric fences protect the greens. Brilliant fun, unforgettable views and a layout that tests every part of your game.
Brora Golf Club (Photo by Graeme McCubb)
4. Reay Golf Club
The most northerly 18 hole links course on the British mainland with views over the Pentland Firth and out to the Orkney Islands. The setting alone is worth the journey.
5. Durness Golf Club
One of the most scenic and dramatic nine hole courses in Scotland. You can play the loop twice from different tees for a full 18 hole round. Set above Balnakeil Bay with water the colour of the a Greek beach.
Other scenic NC500 golf courses worth playing
Ullapool Golf Course
Golspie Golf Club
A James Braid classic with a mix of links, heathland and parkland holes.Ullapool Golf Club
A picturesque 18 hole course overlooking Loch Broom.Gairloch Golf Club
A stunning nine hole course on the west coast with fabulous views in all directions.Wick Golf Club
One of Scotland’s oldest courses, rustic and remote with impressive dunes.
7 to 10 Day NC500 Golf Itinerary
This is your full North Coast 500 golf itinerary, perfect for golfers who want to mix championship courses with remote locations. You need at least 7 days to enjoy the full NC500 route properly although stretching this to 10 days makes the journey more relaxed.
Day 1: Inverness
Stay: Royal Highland Hotel
Arrive in Inverness and warm up the legs with a round at Kings Golf Club, a modern championship layout. There is also Loch Ness Golf Course and the Loch Ness Driving Range if you want a lighter start.
If you have a spare afternoon consider a trip down to Loch Ness for a leg stretch before the bigger drive north.
Day 2: Inverness to Dornoch
Courses to play:
Tain Golf Club
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club (book ahead)
Tain is only 10 miles south of Dornoch and offers classic links golf with brilliant character. Fortrose and Rosemarkie sits on a narrow peninsula and is one of the oldest clubs in Scotland.
Tip: Pull into parking bays when signposted. These usually mean there is a viewpoint or something interesting nearby.
Stay in Dornoch for easy access to the next day’s highlights.
Day 3: Dornoch to Bettyhill
Courses to play:
Golspie Golf Club
Optional: Brora Golf Club
Optional: Royal Dornoch if you want a full championship day
Golspie is a James Braid classic and one of the most interesting courses on the NC500. It blends true links holes with heathland and parkland stretches. The opening holes feel coastal before the course heads inland through gorse and heather then returns to sea views near the finish.
If time allows, stop at Brora Golf Club, a traditional Highland links where sheep roam across the fairways. It is quirky, historic and full of charm.
Non-golf stop of the day:
Dunrobin Castle, a French chateau style estate with over 700 years of history
End the day in Bettyhill overlooking Torrisdale Bay.
Day 4: Bettyhill to Durness
Course to play: Durness Golf Club
This section of the NC500 is spectacular from the first mile. Follow the coast west and pause at Loch Assynt to visit the ruins of Ardvreck Castle. Continue along the winding road past Scourie and the Kyle of Durness before reaching the most northerly nine hole course on mainland Britain.
Durness Golf Club sits above Balnakeil Bay with water so clear it looks tropical. The layout is unforgettable, especially when the sun is out. If you meet the greenkeeper he often shares great stories about maintaining a course in such a remote conservation area.
Optional activities:
Visit Smoo Cave, one of the largest sea caves in Scotland
Pick up chocolates from Cocoa Mountain
Wander along Balnakeil Beach
After your round, head south to Ullapool for the night.
Day 5: Durness to Ullapool
Course to play: Ullapool Golf Club
The coastal road south from Durness is full of rugged scenery with sea cliffs, white sand coves and long stretches of quiet single track road. Take your time and enjoy the journey.
Arrive at Ullapool Golf Club, a picturesque 18 hole course set right beside Loch Broom. It is perfect for a relaxing afternoon round and offers a nice contrast to the wild links you played earlier in the trip.
Ullapool is also one of the most charming villages on the NC500 so it makes a great base for the evening.
Day 6: Ullapool to Gairloch
Course to play: Gairloch Golf Club
Leave Ullapool and follow the curving coastline south. The road here is scenic with sea lochs, forested hillsides and quiet beaches. Your destination is Gairloch Golf Club, one of the most scenic nine hole courses on the west coast.
The views are simply outstanding. To the west are the islands of Harris and Lewis. To the south rise the dramatic mountains of Torridon. To the north you can see towards Ullapool. Holes 6 to 9 are especially memorable as they drop and rise across natural links-like terrain.
This is a short but brilliant round and a true west coast highlight.
Stay the night in Gairloch or continue a little further south if you want a slow morning.
Day 7: Gairloch to Inverness
Optional courses on the drive back:
Lochcarron Golf Course
Muir of Ord Golf Club
Make your way towards Lochcarron where the course hugs the water and offers a short but interesting nine hole layout. From here you can choose whether to try the famous Bealach na Bà road to Applecross. This is one of the most dramatic mountain passes in the UK and a favourite section for many driving the NC500.
After Applecross you can follow the coast to Shieldaig then rejoin the main route back towards Inverness. If you want one last round, Muir of Ord Golf Club is a good option and offers heathland golf with gorse, trees and plenty of character.
Arrive back in Inverness to complete your NC500 golf loop.
Frequently Asked NC500 Questions
Best Time of Year and Weather Planning
June is often the best month for long daylight hours as the sun sets around 11pm in the Highlands. July and August are warmer but much busier. Spring and autumn can also be pleasant although temperatures drop sharply.
The weather can change quickly so pack layers, waterproofs, suncream and a sense of humour.
What is the NC500?
The North Coast 500 is a coastal driving route around the north of Scotland. It starts and finishes in Inverness and covers roughly 500 miles of quiet roads, beaches, mountains and small villages.
How many days do you need?
You need at least 7 days to enjoy the trip and play the best NC500 golf courses. Ten days allows a more relaxed pace.
Which direction should I drive?
Many recommend travelling counter clockwise. This offers a gentle warm up on the east coast and saves the dramatic west coast for the final stretch.
Do I need to book golf and accommodation in advance?
Yes for accommodation. Rural hotels fill quickly especially between May and September.
For golf, book ahead at Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart, Brora and Golspie. Reay, Durness and Gairloch are usually walk ons with honesty boxes.
What is the NC500 for a golf tour like?
It is a blend of championship courses, remote links, wild drives, mountain scenery and Scottish hospitality. It is one of the most unique golf trips you can take in Europe.
Is the NC500 difficult to drive?
There are single track sections with passing places. Take your time, let faster drivers pass and avoid rushing from viewpoint to viewpoint.