Cabot Highlands: Scotland's Newest World-Class Golf Course

The Scottish Highlands have long been hallowed ground for golfers seeking the purest expression of the game. From Royal Dornoch's plateau greens to the windswept links of Nairn, this rugged corner of Scotland offers some of the most authentic golf experiences on Earth. Now, with the emergence of Cabot Highlands near Inverness, the region has gained what many believe will become one of the world's premier 36-hole golf destinations.

The Rise of a New Highland Icon

Cabot Highlands represents the ambitious reimagining of Castle Stuart Golf Links, the celebrated course that opened in 2009 and quickly became a fixture on world top-100 lists. When the Cabot Collection acquired the 420-acre property in 2022, they brought a proven track record of creating exceptional golf destinations. Their portfolio already included acclaimed properties like Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. Now, with Cabot Highlands golf firmly established, the Scottish Highlands have a destination that rivals anything in the country.

The property sits along the shores of the Moray Firth, just ten minutes from Inverness and five minutes from the international airport. This accessibility sets it apart from many Highland courses that require lengthy drives on winding roads.

Castle Stuart: The Original Masterpiece

Understanding Cabot Highlands means first appreciating what Castle Stuart Golf Links brought to Highland golf. Designed by the late Mark Parsinen and architect Gil Hanse, Castle Stuart was built on two levels: one running directly along the waterfront, with holes playing just feet above the tide line, and another on elevated ground where panoramic views stretch across the Moray Firth.

What distinguished Castle Stuart was its philosophy of playability. Parsinen and Hanse built generous fairways offering multiple lines of play, allowing golfers of all abilities to enjoy the experience while rewarding those who found the ideal positions. The course earned championship credentials quickly, hosting four editions of the Scottish Open. Phil Mickelson's victory in 2013, preceding his Open Championship triumph at Muirfield, brought international attention.

Old Petty: Tom Doak's Highland Vision

The most significant development at Cabot Highlands golf is Old Petty, a second 18-hole course designed by Tom Doak. His portfolio includes Pacific Dunes, Ballyneal, and Barnbougle Dunes, courses that consistently rank among the world's finest.

Old Petty opened for preview play in August 2025, with its grand opening scheduled for spring 2026. The name pays tribute to Old Petty Church, a stone structure dating from 1839. The routing brings golfers close to the 400-year-old Castle Stuart, which serves as a backdrop for 13 of the 18 holes.

Doak's design deliberately complements rather than competes with Castle Stuart. Where the original course features dramatic clifftop views, Old Petty works more subtly with the land. Built largely on former farmland, Doak focused on recreating the rumpled surfaces that characterize Scotland's oldest links. The result is firm, fast turf where the ground game takes precedence.

Planning Your Highlands and St Andrews Golf Trip

Many golfers visiting Scotland want to combine the Highlands with St Andrews. A well-structured Highlands and St Andrews golf trip might begin with arrival at Glasgow or Edinburgh, followed by a drive north to Inverness. Several days playing Cabot Highlands golf along with Nairn and Royal Dornoch would establish the Highland portion. The route south could include Carnoustie before concluding with rounds at the Old Course and New Course at St Andrews.

This combination offers contrast that deepens appreciation for both regions. The rugged beauty of the Highlands, where you might play all day without encountering another group, gives way to St Andrews, where golf history saturates every corner.

Experience Cabot Highlands With Us

At AGS Golf, we have been crafting Scottish golf experiences since 1998, completing over 15,000 golf vacations. Our Scottish Highlands golf package offers a carefully curated journey through the region's finest courses, including the opportunity to experience Cabot Highlands golf at Castle Stuart.

Our Highlands Golf Package features seven nights of accommodation and six rounds of championship golf, including Royal Dornoch, Nairn, Castle Stuart, and other Highland gems. We offer Gold, Silver, and Bronze accommodation options to match different budgets. For those wanting to combine regions, our Highlands and St Andrews golf trip delivers the best of both worlds with rounds at the Highlands' finest courses before concluding at the home of golf.

We handle the logistics that can complicate Scottish golf trips: securing tee times, arranging transportation, and recommending restaurants and experiences. Whether you prefer a private driver or self-drive travel, we tailor the experience to your preferences.