Scotland Day 8: Cabot Highlands

My last day in Scotland included a round at Cabot Highlands’ Castle Stuart course (followed by an afternoon in Inverness, which was lovely). Castle Stuart might have the greatest opening four-hole stretch I’ve seen. The rest of the front nine is just about as good, inland and elevated with some stunning views. Then the back night starts similarly to the front with three more gorgeous coastal holes. The stretch of par fours from 13-16 isn’t quite as mesmerizing, though they are still good holes before the two beautiful closers. Castle Stuart is somewhere between a traditional links (firm, fescue, pot bunkers, gorse) and a modern American one (framed visuals, big, a bit more aerial emphasis); after all, it is a Gil Hanse design and 100+ years younger than the other courses I played. It forms its own category amongst Highland courses, though Cabot’s Old Petty course opens in a few weeks and it looks just as captivating. I hope it’s not the last time I’m there.