About the course
Boat of Garten lies in Strathspey, inside the Cairngorms National Park, on the edge of a small Highland village whose name is thought to come from the old ferry boat that once crossed the River Spey here. The course is laid out over rolling ground between birch and pine, with heather, broom and gorse lining the holes, and the RSPB osprey reserve at Loch Garten is only a few minutes away.
The club began in 1898 with just six holes. Some thirty years later James Braid extended it to a full eighteen, and his routing remains largely intact, which makes the course a good example of how Braid used natural ground without heavy earthmoving. Locally it is still known simply as the Boat.
The fairways rise and fall over ridges and hollows, so many tee shots and approaches are played from sloping lies to greens that sit on small plateaus or in natural dells. Trees and heather close in on both sides of most holes, and a drive that misses the fairway usually costs a shot. The 2nd is a strong par 4 early in the round, the 4th, named Gully, follows the fold of the land, and several holes on the back nine climb steeply before dropping again.
Being inland on light, sandy soil, the course drains well and is usually firm in summer, with greens that run true. The wind matters less than on the coast, which shifts the challenge towards precision and the judgement of uphill and downhill shots.
Why we recommend it
Boat of Garten is the course we suggest for golfers who want a Highland round away from the coast. Fairways run through birch woods and heather beneath the Cairngorms, and the steam trains passing alongside add real charm to the day. James Braid’s layout is not long, but it rewards accurate driving far more than power. It lies about 6 miles from Aviemore and pairs well with Nairn and Castle Stuart, roughly 45 minutes away.
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| Ranking Scotland | 38 |
| Architect | James Braid |
| Year of foundation | 1898 |
| Par Course | 70 |
| Number of holes | 18 |