Fortrose and Rosemarkie

Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, two-and-a-half miles from Castle Stuart as the crow flies but 20 miles by road, enjoys one of UK golf’s most extraordinary settings. It plays over the Chanonry Ness spit jutting out into the Moray Firth, with holes playing almost to the very tip, where the Chanonry lighthouse guides vessels between the spit and Fort George less than a mile away on the opposite shore.

It goes without saying that you can see the water from every part of the course, and if tees right by the lapping waves are your thing, the front nine here is pure golfing heaven. The first four forge out via gorse aplenty with the sea on your left, before the excellent little switchback par-3 5th takes you across to the other side for the remainder of the front nine. The back nine plays inside the slender triangle created by the outward half’s routing.

The good news for (right-handed) slicers is that the sea is always on the left, but you’ll still have to quickly learn how to control your ball flight on this most exposed of golfing canvasses.

History

There is evidence of golf here from the early 18th century, with the club’s founding date of 1793 making it the 15th oldest in the world. But it wasn’t until 1924 that the club first played over an 18-hole course.

In 1932, James Braid was commissioned to redesign and extend the links again when further land became available at Chanonry Point. It is the five-time Open Champion’s handiwork that forms the foundations for today’s layout.

Signature holes

Nearly all who play here will remember the gorgeous little par-3 5th at the far end, where you switch from one shore to the other by an old icehouse just before the lighthouse. It’s a mere 133 yards, but read into that what you will, for there are days when it will be a flick with a wedge, and others when you’ll find yourself removing a headcover.

The visually stirring opening trio asks you to thread an often-narrow needle between gorse and/or the beach, with the 4th then a thought-provoking par 5 with a fascinating and challenging green just short of the lighthouse.