Golf in the Scottish Highlands has long been steeped in tradition. It is defined by windswept courses, storied clubs, and the kind of reverence you expect from the game’s ancestral home.
But lately, the region isn’t just clinging to legacy—it’s charging into the future. From brand-new builds to bold redesigns, the Highlands are suddenly buzzing with development, and the ripple effects could reshape their role on the global golf stage.
Cabot Highlands: A New Chapter Begins
Outside Inverness, at the increasingly acclaimed Cabot Highlands (formerly Castle Stuart), renowned course architect Tom Doak is wrapping up work on Old Petty. A sibling to Castle Stuart’s signature course, Old Petty is already drawing attention.
Preview play is expected to begin this summer, offering golfers a sneak peek before its full opening in 2026. The addition promises to elevate Cabot Highlands into a true multi-course destination, not just a pit stop for traveling golf pilgrims.
Trump Aberdeen Expands Its Footprint
A bit farther down the coast, Trump Aberdeen is preparing for its own milestone. The club will unveil a second 18-hole course this summer, adding to a portfolio that already features dramatic dunes and sweeping North Sea views.
While the Trump brand often brings controversy as well as acclaim, the expansion underscores a growing investment in Scottish links golf—one that’s being matched across the region.
Royal Dornoch Sets a Bold New Course
Now comes news from one of the crown jewels of Highland golf. Royal Dornoch, whose Championship Course currently sits at No. 10 on GOLF’s Top 100 list, is turning heads with a sweeping masterplan led by King Collins Dormer Golf Course Design.
The firm is best known for cult-favorite American courses like Sweetens Cove and Landmand. They has been tapped to oversee a major renovation and expansion effort.
The plan? Ambitious doesn’t begin to cover it.
At the heart of the proposal is a new £13.9 million clubhouse. It is a reimagined version of the often-overlooked Struie Course, and—if all goes ahead—a brand-new 18-hole layout.
But wait, there’s more: a dedicated par-3 course, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and even “Himalayas-style” putting greens reminiscent of the legendary St Andrews layout. All of this is to be built into 50 acres of land acquired by the club last year.
Elevating the Struie
King Collins Dormer co-founder Rob Collins described the firm’s vision on Instagram. He is noting that the plan is far from finalized but loaded with potential.
The goal for the Struie Course is clear: transform it from a side act into a standalone draw. No more shadowing the Championship Course—this would be a course people seek out, not settle for.
A Bigger Picture in the Highlands
This marks King Collins Dormer’s first foray into UK golf. It happens to come at a time when the Highlands are undergoing a renaissance. Beyond the high-profile course announcements, there’s a growing push to keep golf travelers in the region longer.
Rather than hopping from one legendary course to the next, the aim is to turn Highland golf into a full-fledged stay-and-play experience.
That ambition could hinge partly on a long-simmering question: the fate of Coul Links. Located a few miles north of Royal Dornoch, the proposed course has been mired in environmental controversy for nearly a decade. A government decision is expected soon and could unlock yet another chapter in the Highlands’ ongoing transformation.
Whether it’s new builds, dramatic redesigns, or high-stakes planning decisions, the Scottish Highlands are no longer just a museum of golf’s past—they’re becoming a showcase for its future. And this time, the headlines are writing themselves. The caliber of golf in this region is legendary and seems to only be getting better.
