The islands beyond the Scottish Highlands contain many hidden gems for golfers to explore and find on their travels. While Perthshire may be Scotland’s golf hotspot, the breathtaking views of the Scottish Isles make it an irresistible venture for a round or two. Luckily, there are several fantastic golf courses that Old Tom Morris, the ‘Grand Old Man of Golf’, would be happy to bring back to St Andrews and call his own.
The Scottish Isles are a fantastic place to visit in their own right. Still, the natural beauty mixed with isolation from the world beyond makes tee-ing off an immensely personal experience. These golf courses offer a look into the stunning scenery of Scotland as much as Cairngorms National Park but with the opportunity to play a game you love.
From the diverse Isle of Arran up to the Shetland Isles, we’ll be breaking down the Scottish Isles’ Golf Courses, what you can expect to pay to play their greens and defining features.
Machrie Golf Links
Machrie Golf Links was redesigned in 2018 by DJ Russel and has since boasted many accolades, including the top 50 in UK&I and top 20 in Scotland. It is easy to see why this links-style golf course is so beloved – the greens wrap around the unique duneland that grants it the iconic flat Scottish look with views of the Hebridean sea.
The 18 holes of Machrie Golf Links are ideal for a golfer of any skill level and include generous options to tee off from. No matter your handicap, you can enjoy the world-class courses at Machrie Golf Links – keep an eye out for the abundance of dune bunkers along the way!
And their green fees are generally quite competitive to other golf courses on the Isle of Islay, with peak rates (April – October) being around £180 per round. This is reduced a fair bit if you are a resident of the Machrie Hotel, which offers a full-day ticket at £170.
Shiskine Golf & Tennis Club
Shiskine Golf & Tennis Club is one of the best golf courses on the Isle of Arran, with 12 stunning holes to enjoy the full breadth and width of ‘Scotland in Miniature’. The seaside links course offers a picturesque view of the calm Mull of Kintyre. The calming waves of the Firth and the odd call of a gull are the perfect atmospheric phenomenon to tee off to, trust us.
Shiskine Golf Club is frequently in demand during the peak season, so booking in advance is essential to score yourself a round. The club only allows bookings 14 before you play, so if you have your eye on this Isle of Arran golf course, it’s best to book it along with your other holiday plans.
But don’t let that stop you from attacking one of the most diverse and challenging courses on the Isle, complete with several long par 5s that will test how you play golf.
Whiting Bay Golf Club
While exploring the Isle of Arran, take advantage of the opportunity to play a few rounds at the Whiting Bay Golf Club on the island’s southeast side. Whiting Bay is a hidden gem and one of the most fabulous golf courses on the Isle to experience.
What can you expect from Whiting Bay? You can enjoy an 18-hole course with several challenging par 3s and amazing views from the Holy Isle. The course is short and sweet, with a handsome green fee to boot (around £20 throughout the year). Whiting Bay offers numerous other deals throughout the year, so check out their website for more information.
Tobermory Golf Club
Hopping over from the Isle of Arran to the Isle of Mull, golf lovers will undoubtedly already set their sights on Tobermory Golf Club. This is a challenging 9-hole course that has some terrific par 3s and par 2s that will put you to the test. The famed Tom Watson only managed to achieve one over par at Tobermory Golf Club, so set your expectations accordingly.
In addition to a unique course, this golf break grants stunning views over the Isle of Mull, making a round here a serene paradise. Tobermory Golf Club also offers reasonable green fees throughout the year, costing around £25.
Craignure Golf Club
Craignure Golf Club also sits on the Isle of Mull, just north of the ferry port of Craignure and a stone’s throw away from Tobermory. Initially designed in 1985, today’s layout of this iconic course allows budding golfers to enjoy a complex 9-hole course on the Isle of Mull.
Craignure’s course mixes high-risk reward shots with the dynamic hazards of the Isle, including the Scallastle River on the seventh. Mull’s natural wildlife makes the course alive with activity, and it’s not uncommon to hear the calls of terns cheering you on as you tee off. Enjoy solitude on one of Scotland’s most calm Isles when you come to Craignure.
Craignure also boasts the most affordable green fee, with the daily price coming to a mere £15.
Askernish Golf Club
Jumping starkly up to the Isle of South Uist, the Askernish Golf Club is an Old Tom Morris course that fell into disuse and then redesigned to match his vision in 2006 by Gordon Irvine. It boasts 18 holes that offer spectacular scenery of the Scottish Isles.
The first few holes are set alongside the Golf Club House, but soon, you’ll be met with the picturesque coastline of the Isle and its dunes before circling back inland to finish up the back six. Askernish is a classic links course, meaning the flatter greens give you ample opportunity to enjoy the land you’re playing on – although wind is a factor to consider.
Isle of Skye Golf Club
The Isle of Skye is a stunning Scottish Isle and a frequent attraction for many travellers coming to Scotland, golfers included! The Isle of Skye Golf Club grants breathtaking views of the Isle of Raasay and the Red Cuillin mountains, making the course a real treat.
Golfers coming to this golf club can look forward to 18 holes that navigate through the Isle of Skye and its hilly nature, giving the best of both land and sea. The front 9 also offer alternative tee-off points to provide a fresh challenge and experience when you face this diverse site.
Playing golf here is as easy as turning up and paying the modest 18-hole fee of £25, but booking ahead of time is recommended in summer.
Isle of Harris Golf Club
North still of the Isle of Skye sits the Isle of Harris, and on its west coast, the Isle of Harris Golf Club – one of the finest settings to play golf on the Scottish islands. A relatively new course, this golf club was set up in the 1930s and presents a gorgeous 9-hole course that shows off the western side of the Isle.
Play on a course graced by golfing greats, including Nick Faldo and Ronan Rafferty, while embracing the often windy and wild Isle of Harris views the Isle offers. The waves of the Atlantic Ocean create an indescribable immersive atmosphere that makes every shot here much more exciting.
Take advantage of this hidden gem of a location among the British Isles.
The Stromness Golf Club
Those planning to tackle the far reaches of the Scottish Highlands should take advantage of the opportunity to catch a plane or ferry to the untamed Orkney Isles, home to the Stromness Golf Club and many more.
This golf club sits west of the Mainland Orkney Isle, a mere stone’s throw away from beautiful Kirkwall and features 18 holes that range in complexity. Treat yourself to spectacular views of the Orkney Archipelago the next time you visit these far-flung Isles.
Asta Golf Course
Asta Golf Course is the most northerly 9-hole golf course on the Shetland Isles of Scotland. Although definitely out of the way for most travellers, Asta Golf Course holds some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland thanks to its remote location.
The course circles around the natural landscapes of Shetland and is frequently visited by swans, terns, and even Shetland ponies. The 9 holes are each unique and varied, offering opportunities to let loose and swing big without reserve.
Best of all, you can play this 9-hole masterpiece for a mere £15.
Shetland Golf Club
Speaking of Shetland, the Shetland Golf Club is another fantastic course in this Isle’s spectacular setting. A short drive from Lerwick, this course offers 18 holes and plenty more things to do for avid golfers coming to the Isle.
The clubhouse is filled with activities for such a northerly golf club, including monthly competitions, driving ranges, and a passionate community of hard local golfers. Take advantage of the opportunity to try the Shetland Golf Club on the Isle.
Whalsay Golf Club
Our final Shetland Isles golf club is Whalsay Golf Club, which holds the title of the most northerly golf course in the British Isles. And like the migratory birds that flock to the Isle during the summer season, golfers from all over the world come to play on this remote golf course.
Frequently touted as one of the top 150 golf courses in the world, Whalsay is not to be missed if you can arrange passage to this distant Isle above Scotland. You’ll be well rewarded with stunning landscapes and immaculate courses.
Lochranza Campsite and Golf
Another rarely mentioned but undoubtedly best golf course on the Isle of Arran is Lochranza Campsite and Golf Course, which offers a more rustic and unorthodox 11-hole course. Those lighter and more relaxed course is ideal for winding down a day of exploring Arran without wanting to take things too seriously.
The pitch and putt course is set in the glens of Arran, often called ‘Scotland in Miniature’, and is a delightful activity if you’ve come to Arran to camp and brought your clubs.
Machrihanish Golf Club
Machrinhanish Golf Club sits on the Ayrshire coast and, while not strictly on a Scottish Isle, still offers an excellent game of golf as you move from the Isle of Arran to the Inner Hebridean. Machrihanish is often described as the most natural golf course in Scotland, with a defining character that makes it popular to visit again and again.
It’s a 9-hole course with spectacular views of the Kintyre Peninsula and the famed Machrihanish dunes. Spending time at Machrihanish imbues every golfer with wondrous magic that only a Scottish links course can bestow, so remember to add this golf club to your list.
Rothesay Golf Club
The Isle of Bute has a few splendid golf courses for you, but Rothesay Golf Club is undoubtedly one of its best. The winding course uses the natural landscape of Canada Hill to create a bountiful and dynamic course that was designed by James Braid in 1892.
Since its creation, the great Walter Hagen played on its immaculate green and many other renowned golfers, making it a course with plenty of history. If you’re looking for unbeatable views and an unbeatable course, Rothesay is the one for you.
Isle of Barra Golf Club
From the most northerly to the westerly, the Isle of Barra Golf Club is a remote golf hot spot that has changed the traditional croft landscape into a beautiful series of greens. Although there’s no clubhouse to wind down after a game, the Isle of Barra’s natural serenity makes up for it.
The 9 holes of Isle of Barra are contoured to its surroundings, with amazing views out to the Atlantic Ocean. This golf club also has one of the most affordable green fees, costing £10 to play!
Other Golf Courses in Scotland
- Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, & Moray Golf Courses
- Argyll & Bute Golf Courses
- Central & West Scotland Golf Courses
- Dumfries & Galloway Golf Courses
- Edinburgh & The Lothians Golf Courses
- Glasgow, Clyde, & Ayrshire Golf Courses
- Perthshire, Kinross, & Angus Golf Courses
- Scottish Borders Golf Courses
- Scottish Highlands Golf Courses
- The Kingdom of Fife Golf Courses
