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Golf in the Cairngorms and Speyside: Courses and Trip Ideas
CAIRNGORMS & SPEYSIDE · GOLF COURSES · TRIP PLANNING
PLANNING A GOLF TRIP TO THE CAIRNGORMS AND SPEYSIDE
Golf in the Cairngorms and Speyside offers a different experience from Scotland’s better-known coastal routes. Instead of dunes and sea views, golfers encounter pine forest, heather, rivers, changing elevations and mountain backdrops, with historic Highland towns and villages connecting the courses.
Boat of Garten, Grantown-on-Spey, Kingussie and Newtonmore provide traditional courses shaped by some of golf’s most influential names. Spey Valley at Aviemore adds a longer modern championship test, while the nine-hole courses at Abernethy, Carrbridge and Craggan offer relaxed alternatives that can fit easily around travel or other activities.
This is also a region where golf naturally becomes part of a wider trip. Distilleries, local food, walking, wildlife, Highland history and the River Spey can all be incorporated without turning the itinerary into a series of long transfers.
WHY THE CAIRNGORMS AND SPEYSIDE WORK SO WELL FOR A GOLF TRIP
The appeal of a Cairngorms golf trip lies in its variety and atmosphere. The main courses are close enough to combine over several days, but each has its own identity. One round may move through mature woodland and heather; the next may follow the River Spey or open towards wide mountain views.
The area also provides an alternative to Scotland’s busiest golf destinations. Tee-time planning is still important, particularly during the summer, but the experience generally feels quieter and more connected to the towns and communities around the courses.
For visiting groups, it works particularly well as either a dedicated three or five-day break or an inland stage of a wider Highlands itinerary. Golfers travelling between central Scotland and Inverness can also use the region to break up the journey with one or two memorable rounds.
UNDERSTANDING THE REGION
The Cairngorms National Park extends across a large part of the central Highlands. This guide concentrates primarily on Badenoch and Strathspey, following the area around Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore, Boat of Garten, Nethy Bridge and Grantown-on-Spey.
These locations form the most practical cluster for a golf trip approaching from Inverness or travelling north on the A9. Golfers with more time can continue east towards Braemar and Royal Deeside or north through lower Speyside and Moray.
THE BOBBY CRUICKSHANK HICKORY EXPERIENCE
Grantown-on-Spey is also home to the Bobby Cruickshank Hickory Experience, celebrating one of the town’s most successful golfers. Cruickshank became a leading professional in the United States, finished as the PGA Tour’s leading money winner in 1927 and was twice runner-up in the US Open.
The experience introduces visitors to his life through film, historic photographs and memorabilia before they take traditional hickory clubs onto the original nine-hole course. It brings together golf, local history and the enjoyment of trying equipment from an earlier period of the game.
This is more than an optional extra to a normal round. It provides a distinctive reason to include Grantown in a Scottish golf itinerary and fits naturally with the heritage, hospitality and whisky experiences associated with Speyside.
DISCOVER THE BOBBY CRUICKSHANK HICKORY EXPERIENCE →
CHOOSING WHERE TO PLAY
Golfers wanting the strongest championship test should include Spey Valley, while Boat of Garten is the region’s best-known traditional course. Grantown-on-Spey combines varied parkland golf with local history and the Bobby Cruickshank Hickory Experience.
Kingussie and Newtonmore work particularly well as a pair, while Abernethy, Carrbridge and Craggan provide shorter options for arrival days, mixed-ability groups or golfers who want to combine a round with another activity.
Rather than choosing only one type of course, the most rewarding itinerary will usually combine a longer modern layout, one or two historic courses and at least one smaller community club.
BOAT OF GARTEN GOLF CLUB
Boat of Garten Golf Club is one of the defining courses of golf in the Cairngorms. The James Braid-designed layout moves through heather, woodland and naturally changing ground, with views towards the surrounding mountains providing a strong sense of place throughout the round.
The course rewards positioning and thoughtful play more than distance alone. Changes in elevation, angled holes and the influence of trees and heather give each part of the layout its own character. It is traditional Highland golf rather than a resort-style experience, making it an important contrast to Spey Valley.
Boat of Garten is close to Aviemore and sits naturally between the area’s principal bases. It can therefore be included near the beginning or end of almost any Cairngorms itinerary.
GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY GOLF CLUB
Established in 1890, Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club is a traditional parkland course within the Cairngorms National Park. Its development was influenced by Willie Park and James Braid, adding a strong architectural connection to the wider history of Scottish golf.
The course moves through three distinct types of landscape. The opening holes occupy relatively level parkland, the middle section becomes more wooded and undulating, and the closing holes return to open parkland. That changing character makes Grantown feel more varied than its setting may initially suggest.
The club is within walking distance of the town, allowing golfers to base themselves locally and experience more of Grantown rather than arriving only for the round.
KINGUSSIE GOLF CLUB
Kingussie Golf Club occupies a scenic position within the Cairngorms National Park. Its golfing history includes the influence of Old Tom Morris and Harry Vardon, giving the course a direct connection to two of the most important figures in the game’s development.
The layout rises and falls through Highland terrain, with the River Gynack and the surrounding landscape contributing to both the challenge and the views. It feels removed from the busier resort areas despite being straightforward to reach from the A9.
Kingussie is particularly useful within a touring itinerary because it can be paired with nearby Newtonmore, allowing golfers to experience two traditional Highland clubs while staying in the same part of Badenoch.
NEWTONMORE GOLF CLUB
Newtonmore Golf Club lies beside the River Spey and is surrounded by mountain scenery. Founded in 1893, its course was later influenced by James Braid and remains one of the area’s most appealing traditional layouts.
The experience is welcoming and unhurried, with naturally undulating ground and a setting that feels closely connected to the village. It provides a good balance of interest and playability without relying on excessive length.
Newtonmore and Kingussie are only a few miles apart, making them the most natural two-course combination in the southern part of the region. Golfers travelling north can play one on arrival and the other the following morning before continuing towards Aviemore.
SPEY VALLEY AND AVIEMORE
The Spey Valley Championship Golf Course at Aviemore provides the principal modern course in the region. Designed by Dave Thomas, the layout is longer and more demanding than many of the traditional Highland courses nearby and previously hosted the European Challenge Tour’s Scottish Hydro Challenge.
Its scale, bunkering and championship character create a clear contrast with Boat of Garten, Grantown, Kingussie and Newtonmore. Including both styles of course gives a Cairngorms golf trip more variety than choosing several similar rounds.
Aviemore has the region’s widest selection of accommodation, restaurants and visitor facilities. It is therefore a practical base for Spey Valley, Boat of Garten and Carrbridge, as well as for groups combining golf with outdoor activities.
NINE-HOLE GOLF AT ABERNETHY, CARRBRIDGE AND CRAGGAN
The smaller courses are an important part of golf in the Cairngorms and should not be treated simply as substitutes for the better-known venues.
Abernethy Golf Club at Nethy Bridge is a traditional nine-hole moorland course in a peaceful village setting between Aviemore and Grantown. Carrbridge Golf Club is another scenic nine-hole layout, with burns and ditches providing natural hazards and views across Strathspey towards the Cairngorms.
Craggan, close to Grantown-on-Spey, offers a relaxed nine-hole course beside the River Spey. Equipment hire and a pay-and-play format make it especially useful for beginners, families or groups looking for an informal additional round.
These courses can work well on an arrival or departure day, after the hickory experience or alongside another local activity. They also help a trip support some of the smaller clubs that give Highland golf much of its character.
EXTENDING THE TRIP TO BRAEMAR AND ROYAL DEESIDE
The Cairngorms National Park extends east beyond the main Badenoch and Strathspey cluster. Golfers with a longer itinerary can continue towards Braemar and Ballater, creating a route across the national park rather than returning north towards Inverness.
Braemar is regarded as the highest 18-hole golf course in the UK and offers a distinctly different mountain setting. Ballater provides another traditional course close to the village and can be combined with the wider scenery, history and attractions of Royal Deeside.
This extension requires more travel and usually works best with a separate overnight base. It should be treated as an additional stage of the trip rather than a quick return journey from Aviemore or Grantown.
EXTENDING A SPEYSIDE GOLF TRIP INTO MORAY
The River Spey continues north through Moray towards the coast, creating another natural extension for golfers with additional time. The area introduces a broader mix of parkland and links golf, including courses around Elgin, Forres, Lossiemouth, Cullen and Spey Bay.
Combining the Cairngorms with Moray allows a trip to move from mountain and woodland courses to the Moray Firth coastline. It also provides access to a wider concentration of Speyside distilleries and visitor experiences.
WHERE TO BASE YOURSELF
Aviemore
Aviemore offers the broadest range of accommodation, restaurants and other activities. It is the most convenient base for Spey Valley and provides straightforward access to Boat of Garten, Carrbridge, Kingussie and Newtonmore.
Grantown-on-Spey
Grantown provides a quieter town base close to Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club, the Bobby Cruickshank Hickory Experience, Craggan, Abernethy and Boat of Garten. It is particularly suitable for groups who want local character and easy access to the northern part of the region.
Kingussie or Newtonmore
Staying further south works well for Kingussie, Newtonmore and the journey to or from central Scotland. These villages provide a less resort-led experience and allow more time to explore Badenoch.
A two-base itinerary
For five days or longer, combining Aviemore or Grantown with Kingussie, Newtonmore or Royal Deeside can reduce repeated driving. A second base is especially useful if the trip continues towards Braemar and Ballater.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY?
Two or three golfing days are enough for an introduction to the region. A three-day trip could combine Spey Valley, Boat of Garten and Grantown-on-Spey, providing three contrasting rounds from one convenient base.
Five days allow Kingussie and Newtonmore to be added without rushing. A shorter round at Abernethy, Carrbridge or Craggan can also be included around travel, the hickory experience or a non-golf activity.
Golfers planning to continue into Royal Deeside or Moray should add at least one or two further nights rather than trying to cover each area from the same hotel.
SAMPLE CAIRNGORMS AND SPEYSIDE GOLF ITINERARIES
Three-day golf trip
Day one: Spey Valley Championship Golf Course
Day two: Boat of Garten Golf Club
Day three: Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club or the Bobby Cruickshank Hickory Experience
This provides a modern championship layout, a traditional James Braid course and a round shaped by the history and character of Grantown.
Five-day golf trip
Day one: Spey Valley Championship Golf Course
Day two: Boat of Garten Golf Club
Day three: Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club and the Bobby Cruickshank Hickory Experience
Day four: Kingussie Golf Club
Day five: Newtonmore Golf Club
Abernethy, Carrbridge or Craggan can be added as an optional nine-hole round, depending on travel arrangements and how much golf the group wants to play.
A slower golf and whisky itinerary
Day one: Arrival and nine holes at Carrbridge or Abernethy
Day two: Boat of Garten Golf Club
Day three: Distillery or local-experience day
Day four: Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club and the hickory experience
Day five: Spey Valley or onward travel into Moray
This approach gives the group time to enjoy the wider destination rather than organising every day around a full round of golf.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?
The principal golf season runs from spring into early autumn. Late April and May can be attractive for quieter travel and longer daylight, although inland conditions may be cooler than on the coast.
The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival provides another reason to plan a spring golf trip. Held over the early May Bank Holiday weekend each year, the festival brings together distillery experiences, tastings, food, music and events across the wider Speyside region. The 2027 festival takes place from 28 April to 3 May, making it possible to combine several rounds of golf with a wider programme celebrating Speyside whisky and culture.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO THE SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL →
Accommodation and popular festival events can book quickly, so golfers planning to combine the two experiences should arrange their itinerary well in advance. Transport should also be planned before booking tastings, using a designated driver, taxi or organised transfer where appropriate.
GETTING AROUND THE CAIRNGORMS AND SPEYSIDE
A car, private driver or organised golf transport provides the greatest flexibility. The A9 connects Newtonmore, Kingussie and Aviemore, while local roads continue towards Boat of Garten, Nethy Bridge and Grantown-on-Spey.
The distances between the core courses are manageable, but mountain and rural roads can take longer than expected. Leave enough time to arrive, change and enjoy the clubhouse rather than building an itinerary around the shortest possible transfer.
Aviemore, Kingussie and Newtonmore have railway connections, which can be useful for reaching the area. A vehicle will still make it considerably easier to transport clubs and reach multiple courses during the same trip.
MORE THAN JUST THE GOLF
Golf is only one part of the Cairngorms and Speyside experience. The region can be combined with distillery visits, local food and drink, walking, cycling, wildlife experiences and time around the River Spey.
Aviemore provides access to Cairngorm Mountain, Loch Morlich and Rothiemurchus, while the Strathspey Steam Railway connects Aviemore with Boat of Garten and Broomhill. Farther south, the Highland Folk Museum near Newtonmore adds another perspective on Highland life and history.
These experiences are useful for mixed groups and rest days, but they also make the golf trip more memorable. The strongest itineraries allow time to understand the destination rather than moving directly from the course to the next hotel.
PHOTOGRAPHING A CAIRNGORMS AND SPEYSIDE GOLF TRIP
The area’s woodland, heather, rivers and mountain scenery create a very different photographic setting from Scotland’s links courses. Changes in elevation provide strong views across the landscape, while softer early and late light can emphasise the atmosphere of the surrounding glens and forests.
AKH Golf can photograph visiting groups at courses throughout the Highlands, capturing the action, individual golfers, group photographs and wider story of the round without disrupting play. Coverage can be planned around one important course or incorporated into a longer regional itinerary.
MORE CAIRNGORMS AND HIGHLANDS GOLF GUIDES
Continue planning your Scottish golf trip with these related regional guides, itineraries and heritage stories.
PLANNING A GOLF TRIP TO THE CAIRNGORMS OR SPEYSIDE?
If you are arranging a golf trip to the Cairngorms or Speyside and would like part of the experience professionally photographed, tell me which courses you are playing and what you would like captured. Photography can be arranged for one round or planned around a wider Highlands itinerary.