Muir of Ord Golf Club

Muir of Ord Golf Club sits in the Scottish Highlands and has been part of local life since 1875. It began as a nine-hole course, then in the 1920s it was reshaped into the 18-hole layout you play today.

That upgrade was led by James Braid, five-time Open Champion and a designer whose courses are still heavily played across the UK. I'll admit I'm a bit of a Braid geek, so anywhere you can see his routing and use of natural slopes up close is always worth a look. His work here follows the natural land well, using gentle rises and falls to create decisions from the tee rather than simply asking you to hit it as far as possible.

On the day, expect a traditional parkland-style test by Highland standards, with mature trees framing plenty of holes and subtle elevation changes that can affect club choice. It's not overly brutal, but it does reward a bit of plotting. Keep it in position and you'll give yourself chances. Miss the fairway and you can quickly be playing recovery shots, especially if the wind gets up. When it's dry, the greens can run quick, so pace control matters.

It's a members' club, but visitors are made welcome, which makes it a smart option if you're building an Inverness base for a Highland run. If you like courses with real history and a proper sense of place, this is a good one to have on the list.

Who is this for?
Golfers wanting an authentic Highland course with heritage and a James Braid connection, within easy reach of Inverness.

Who is it best for?
Players who enjoy classic, strategic golf and anyone putting together a Highland tour who wants quality beyond the headline names.