Scotland Day 7: the James Braid tour continues (on less than 100 acres)

Fortrose and Rosemarkie is overlooked by most travelers but was every bit the authentic links experience as the better-known courses. As with so many of the courses here, it starts along the water and then heads inland. Here the first 8(!) holes are basically all on the water around the outside of the peninsula, and then the remaining 10 play more in the middle. It's funny actually how many courses do that—Nairn has 7 on the water and then goes inland; Brora plays closer to the water on the way out; Golspie is on the water for 3-5; even Castle Stuart starts each nine on the water and then goes inland. Of the courses I played, only Royal Dornoch went inward rather than outward along the water. 

Anyway, it's a really strong start with some cute, mostly shorter par-4's on the way in. I really enjoyed the holes along the road, and the views are pretty stunning in many spots. Hopefully the pictures do it some justice.