The course

The Carnegie Links represents all that is great about Scottish golf, from the friendly intimate and warm Golf House to its fine traditional links course. Great care has been taken to ensure that the experience of playing the Carnegie Links is authentic to the era of Andrew Carnegie. The course, designed by renowned links specialists Donald Steele and Tom Mackenzie, offers the golfer a rare opportunity to play a links course that remains firm and fast.

It requires a broad repertoire of shots, not simply the modern style of aerial bombardment golf, and demands that any golfer regardless of standard is rewarded for thoughtful and skilful play, rather than power. At 6,671 yards from the back tees, the course is not long by modern standards, but in a wind it will test even the mightiest. Its varied layout takes the golfer past exceptionally rare wildlife habitats that have been carefully retained and protected. With the sea on three sides and the hills of Sutherland and Ross-shire all around, this course must have one of the finest settings in the world of golf.

The hole

The 17th at the Carnegie Club is a 267 yards, teasing short par 4 which rewards accuracy and severely punishes poor shots. It takes a 250-yard drive to reach the front of the green, which is in range on a good day. The angled green rewards anyone who plays tight to the beach on the left. Large fairway bunkers must be carried and a deep greenside bunker is to be avoided. The scenery is magnificent.

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Golf in the Scottish Highlands

The Highlands is home to some of Scotland's finest golf courses. Discover championship venues and historic links layouts amid majestic northern scenery.

The Scottish Open has been played in the Highlands at Castle Stuart Golf Links on the Moray coast. It is a splendid venue and there are so many other fantastic courses in the north. Nearby Nairn has two championship golf courses to be proud of. Nairn Golf Club was awarded ninth place in the definitive list of the Top 100 Courses in Scotland in previous years and Nairn Dunbar is another excellent links course that has hosted many tournaments.

Staying with the Moray coast, the Old Course at Moray Golf Club in Lossiemouth was designed by 'Old' Tom Morris and features perhaps the finest finishing hole in Scotland. A few miles away, the course at Hopeman boasts The Prieshach, one of the most stunning par 3 holes in the country. Venturing further north, Royal Dornoch is a links classic and Tom Watson is a fan. 'The most fun I ever had on a golf course', said the five-times Open Champion after a round there. Brora is another links marvel and is the headquarters of the James Braid Golfing Society.

There are some great alternatives to links courses too. Spey Valley is a top inland venue near Aviemore with the Cairngorms Mountains forming a stunning backdrop. The same goes for Boat-of-Garten golf course which is also in the area. For something a little bit different, play the 9-hole course at Durness on the north coast to experience the shot across the Atlantic on the final hole.

19th hole and beyond

The Highlands is a beautiful and inspiring region with a fascinating history, ancient landscapes and a long list of things to see and do. Explore famous lochs, breathtaking beaches and magnificent glens, witness battlefields and ancient monuments and marvel at the beauty of a remarkable range of wildlife.

Discover Scotland's renowned Malt Whisky Trail, the only trail of its kind in the world, through one of the country's best-known whisky regions, Speyside. Discover the secrets behind the art of whisky creation with behind-the-scenes tours of the country's renowned distilleries.

Wildlife fans will be amazed at the dolphin and seal sightings in Moray and Cromarty Firth. Alternatively, around the coast near Dornoch, architect lovers will marvel at the stunning French design of Dunrobin Castle.

For more on what this stunning region has to offer click here.