Pennan by Cullen on the North East coast was where the film "Local Hero" was filmed. It is a beautiful area with small fishing villages and views across the Moray Firth. Find a bit of Scotland’s golfing heaven here.
It is an area accessible either from Inverness or Aberdeen (about an hour's drive from each) along the A96/98.
Start with a round at Spey Bay Golf course. The Spey Bay golf course was one of the few courses designed by the legendary Ben Sayers. It was opened in 1907 at a ceremony attended by thousands. The facility comprises an eighteen hole, natural links, championship golf course and a sixteen bay floodlit covered driving range.
The words "hidden gem" are often overused but this course is a classic. It's not overly long but the "out-and-in" layout with a St Andrews Old Course style loop around the turn will test the best, and will take you back in history to enjoy what was surely Ben Sayers' best design.
From here travel to the town of Elgin. Elgin has a splendid cathedral that you can visit as well as Johnston’s Cashmere Woollen Mill where you can pick up some real bargains.
Elgin Golf Course offers you a warm welcome. It is a testing heathland golf course which is rightly known as one of the best inland golf courses in northern Scotland. The course itself is kept in immaculate condition and the added benefit to your round there are the views across to Elgin and south right down to the Cairngorm mountains.
Return to the coast and Hopeman Golf Course should be your next round. It is a typcial links golf course with spectacular views over the Moray Firth. The 12th hole “Prieschach” is its best known hole with a 100 foot drop from tee to green with no fairway in between.
Finally visit Forres Golf course which is another fine parkland course but which retains views across the Moray Firth down to the Cairngorm mountains. The 800 year old Royal Burgh of Forres is renowned for its magnificent floral displays and sculptures centered in Grant Park. Forres Golf Club celebrated its centenary year in 1989. The original 9 holes were designed by James Braid and in 1912 Willie Park was enlisted to construct the new layout to 18 holes. The course, which has hosted the Scottish Professional Championship, is remembered mostly for its spectacular views of surrounding countryside, its tree lined fairways and the infamous 16th hole, aptly named The Pond, provides a watery grave for many stray golf balls.
