Raised links green above the Moray Firth at Castle Stuart, near Inverness
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.

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 11:00 – 12:00

    Arrival-day round

    Comfortable after a morning flight into Inverness. Lunch in the clubhouse, then on to the house.

  3. 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.

Plateau green and revetted bunkers above the Moray Firth at Castle Stuart
Deep revetted bunker beside a links green at dusk on the Moray Firth
Highland coastline north of Inverness on the road to Dornoch
A Highland dram after the round at Castle Stuart

"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.

Read the journey →

4 days · Doune, Blackness, Midhope & Culross

The Outlander Tour

Highland castles in the morning, links on the firth after lunch.

Read the journey →

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