
Photo: Stanley Howe · CC BY-SA 2.0
Highlands, Scotland
Nairn Golf Club
A Moray Firth links founded in 1887, with sea views from every hole and a Walker Cup pedigree.
Course overview
Nairn Golf Club was founded in 1887, originally laid out by Archie Simpson of Royal Aberdeen. Old Tom Morris revised the course in 1890, and James Braid made the most significant later contribution, reworking tees, bunkers and greens in the early twentieth century. The course has hosted the 1999 Walker Cup, the 2012 Curtis Cup, and the 2021 Amateur Championship. Visitors can book online or directly with the club, with tee times available year-round.
The essentials
- Architect
- Archie Simpson; Old Tom Morris (1890); James Braid (redesign)
- Established
- 1887
- Type
- Links
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,248 m
- Location
- Highlands, Scotland
Character & atmosphere
A traditional Highland links along the Moray Firth, with the sea visible from every hole and the opening seven holes running tight against the coastline. Firm, fast-running fairways and subtle, well-defended greens reward controlled ball flight over raw power.
Highlights
Why play here
- Designed by Archie Simpson; Old Tom Morris (1890); James Braid (redesign), opened in 1887.
- Sea views feature throughout the round.
Practical guidance
Plan your visit
How to get there
Inverness Airport (INV) is the closest, approximately 9 miles away — around 12–15 minutes' drive. Visitor tee times can be booked online or directly with the club, with year-round availability and seasonal pricing.
Where to stay
Staying in Dornoch is the natural choice for golfers making the journey to Royal Dornoch — the course is a short walk from most accommodation in the town. The medieval cathedral, sandy beach, and genuinely unhurried pace give the stay a quality that the golf alone cannot account for.
Nearby courses
Enjoying this course guide?
Help us discover and curate more great golf across Europe.
Scotland
Explore Highlands
Remote Highland links including Royal Dornoch and Nairn, set against dramatic northern scenery.