Castle Stuart Golf Links, Inverness, Scotland

There's a case, often made, that Royal Dornoch alone is worth a journey to the Highlands. It is of course but treasure hunting links golfers will be pleased now to find new loot at Castle Stuart. Opened in 2009 with instant honors from Golf Magazine as the "Best New International Course" of the year, Castle Stuart is the work of Americans Mark Parsinen (Kingsbarns) and Gil Hanse. It is a meticulously maintained modern links found along Moray Firth thirty minutes from energetic Inverness and a stone’s throw from the airport. Six holes hug the shoreline while the others are played overhead, on an escarpment that divides the entire golf course. As such you are never not looking at the sea plus it provided Mr. Parsinen with opportunities to create his "infinity" views which produce striking photographs and shaky golf swings. A visit to the Highlands for World 56 Castle Stuart and World 16 Royal Dornoch would often include Nairn and Brora, plus Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay on the way up or down.