Recommended
6 days · 5 rounds · Fife to Sutherland
The Northern Passage
Six days from Fife to the Sutherland Highlands.
An afternoon round out of Inverness on the way to Dornoch.
IX
The Register · Course IX
Castle StuartThe firth, from every tee.
Inverness · Moray Firth, Highlands
The Course
Castle Stuart — now Cabot Highlands — was laid out on two terraces above the Moray Firth, and the architects were unembarrassed about the view: the water is in play, visually at least, on almost every hole.
It is a modern links that plays like an old one. Wide off the tee, generous into the greens, and then quietly punishing if you take the safe line and leave yourself on the wrong side of a plateau. Chanonry Point, the Kessock Bridge and the Black Isle sit along the horizon.
Twenty minutes from Inverness airport, it is the easiest great round in the Highlands to arrange — which is precisely why we tend to place it on an arrival or departure day, with a caddie who knows how much of the firth is bluff.
How access works
Getting on at Castle Stuart.
Four steps, quietly handled. You are never asked to enter a ballot, queue for a release, or negotiate with a club yourself.
I
A conversation first
You tell us the dates, the party and what the week is for. No forms to chase — the Chief Concierge replies personally within forty-eight hours.
II
We approach the club
Times are secured through our own allocations and, where required, a member's introduction. Nothing is offered to you that we cannot hold.
III
Confirmed in writing
Tee times, caddies, transfers and the houses either side are confirmed together on one itinerary, with a single point of contact for the whole week.
IV
Looked after on the day
The starter, caddie master and clubhouse know you are coming. Clubs, cars and the table for dinner are already arranged.
Begin with a conversation
Nine to eighteen months' notice is ideal; shorter notice is often still possible.
Suggested tee times
When to play Castle Stuart.
Light, tide and traffic all change the character of the round. These are the windows we hold first — subject to the club's own release and to the season.
07:40 – 08:20
First light, firth flat
The calmest air of the day and the tide usually out. Best if you are driving north to Dornoch afterwards.
11:00 – 12:00
Arrival-day round
Comfortable after a morning flight into Inverness. Lunch in the clubhouse, then on to the house.
16:30 – 17:30
Long northern evening
From late May to July there is light until eleven. The best hour on the course, and the quietest.
Times are indicative. Your held slots are confirmed in writing with the starter and caddie master before you travel.
The Gallery
Castle Stuart, seen closely.
Select any photograph to view it full screen, with zoom.
"A modern links with old manners — wide off the tee, and merciless about which side of the green you finish."
Where Castle Stuart sits
Journeys that include Castle Stuart.
Every week we build is bespoke, but these sample journeys show how Castle Stuart is usually placed — the houses kept either side of it, and the pacing around the round.
7 days · 7 rounds · Ayrshire, Fife & the Highlands
The Full Register
The Moray Firth day, between Aberdeenshire and Sutherland.
4 days · Doune, Blackness, Midhope & Culross
The Outlander Tour
Highland castles in the morning, links on the firth after lunch.
Prefer to see the whole register? All sample itineraries.
By invitation & introduction
Request availabilityat Castle Stuart.
Tee times at Castle Stuart are secured privately, often a season or more in advance. Share a few details and our Chief Concierge will respond within forty-eight hours with the dates we can hold for you.
Or write · concierge@northofthewallgolf.com