About the course
Brora lies on the east coast of Sutherland, around an hour’s drive north of Inverness, on a narrow strip of links that runs along the shore from the village of the same name. The course occupies a single ribbon of land between the beach and the fields, and the views stretch over the water and back inland to the distant, heather-covered hills of the northern Highlands.
Golf at Brora dates from 1891, when Old Tom Morris laid out the first course here. The links played today, however, is the work of James Braid, who redesigned it completely in 1923, and remarkably little has been changed since. That makes Brora one of the best preserved examples of Braid’s work anywhere, with modest bunkering and greens that sit naturally on the ground.
The routing is a classic out and back: the front nine heads away along the shore and the back nine returns over gently rolling links inland of it. The 1st is short enough for strong players to think about the green from the tee, and the par 3s at the 6th and 9th are among the best holes on the course, the 9th being played towards the sea. Late in the round the 17th sweeps downhill, splits into two levels and then climbs to a tight, sloping green.
The hazards are mostly natural: humps and hollows, thin fescue lies, rabbit scrapes and the odd patch of gorse. The turf is firm, the greens are quick when dry, and the direction of the wind decides how long each hole plays.
Why we recommend it
Brora is links golf as it used to be, and many visitors leave it as the highlight of a Highland trip. The course runs beside the North Sea with nothing between you and the water on the front nine, and sheep and cattle still graze the links, so the greens are protected by low electric fences. It is fair, natural and excellent value, with the wind providing most of the challenge. Brora lies north of Golspie and pairs well with Royal Dornoch and Golspie.
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| Ranking Scotland | 28 |
| Architect | James Braid |
| Year of foundation | 1891 |
| Par Course | 70 |
| Number of holes | 18 |