Nairn Championship
One of Scotland's great traditional links, hiding in plain sight twenty minutes from Inverness. Founded in 1887 and shaped by Old Tom Morris and James Braid, Nairn runs right along the Moray Firth, its opening holes lapped by the sea and its turf as pure as any in the Highlands. Host of the 1999 Walker Cup, it is a tournament class links at a fraction of the marquee names' price.
Photo: The Nairn Golf Club via Google, contributor Jonathan Cottrell.
The verdict
Nairn is the connoisseur's Highland links, less famous than Royal Dornoch up the coast but loved every bit as deeply by those who know it. Laid out in 1887 by Andrew Simpson and refined by Old Tom Morris and James Braid, it is a classic out and back links of the old school, with the front nine running right along the shore of the Moray Firth, so exposed to the sea that you can carve an approach onto the beach. The turf is firm and fast, the greens true, and a thoughtful 2018 renovation by Mackenzie and Ebert has sharpened the test without touching its character.
It suits the travelling golfer who wants a genuine championship links, the kind that hosted the 1999 Walker Cup and the 2012 Curtis Cup, without the queues or the premium of the headline names. Pair it with Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Brora for one of the finest and best value golf weeks in Britain, and you will understand why so many leave Nairn wondering why they had not played it sooner.
Nairn at a glance
- Founded
- 1887
- Designer
- Simpson, Morris, Braid
- Type
- Links
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- ~6,800 yds
- Green fee
- From ~£120
Founding year, designers, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and course databases; the Championship Course plays as a par 71 of around 6,800 yards, a par 72 from the very back markers, originally by Andrew Simpson in 1887, refined by Old Tom Morris and James Braid, and renovated by Mackenzie and Ebert in 2018. The green fee is indicative, recently from around 120 pounds per round and rising at the summer peak, materially below the marquee Highland names. Always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Nairn's character is set on the front nine, which hugs the Moray Firth so tightly that the sea is in play, literally, on the early holes. The opening stretch is among the most scenic and exhilarating in Scottish golf, the fairways running along the shingle with the firth glittering to the right and the breeze deciding the line on every shot. Get away cleanly here, before the course turns inland, and the round opens up.
The back nine moves away from the water into gorse and heather, a subtler, more strategic test where position off the tee and a deft touch around firm greens matter more than length. The closing holes bring you back toward the handsome clubhouse, and on a breezy day the par 4 finish can demand your two best swings of the round. It is a links of two distinct halves, the dramatic seaside opening and the cannier inland return, and the variety is a large part of its charm.
Add the quality of the turf, the tournament pedigree underfoot and the long Highland light, and Nairn delivers a round that more than holds its own among Scotland's celebrated links, for a fraction of the fuss.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A members club that welcomes visitors through the season via online booking, with afternoon only rules sometimes applying to packaged or reciprocal rates |
| Green fee | Recently from around 120 pounds per round, rising at the summer peak; materially below the marquee Highland names (indicative 2026) |
| Booking | Book ahead for prime summer mornings; a combined ticket with the sister course is available |
| On the day | A walking course with a full practice area; caddies can be arranged in advance; a welcoming clubhouse above the links |
| Getting there | The town of Nairn, about 20 minutes east of Inverness, the nearest airport |
| Best months | May to September for the firmest turf and longest days, with the firth breeze ever present |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from the club; they change without notice, so always confirm directly before booking with The Nairn Golf Club or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
The seaside town of Nairn is a relaxed and convenient base, with hotels and guest houses close to the links and a long sandy beach for the non golfers in the party. Its position on the Moray coast makes it a natural hub for a Highland golf week, putting Castle Stuart and the Inverness courses within easy reach to the west.
Inverness, twenty minutes away, offers a wider choice of hotels and an airport with good connections, while pushing north toward Dornoch and Brora opens up the full Highland links run. Many golfers base themselves around Nairn and Inverness and play out in both directions.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Nairn.
Plan a Highland golf trip
We arrange Nairn alongside Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Brora, secure the tee times before they fill and sort a Nairn or Inverness base and the transfers. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Nairn questions
Who designed the Nairn Championship Course?
The original course was laid out in 1887 by Andrew Simpson, the Keeper of the Green at Aberdeen, and it was later refined by two giants of the game, Old Tom Morris and the five time Open champion turned architect James Braid. In 2018 the club carried out a major renovation of the Championship Course with the respected architects Mackenzie and Ebert, so the links blends classic Victorian design with modern conditioning.
What is the par and length of Nairn Championship Course?
The Championship Course plays as a par 71 from the regular and competition tees, stretching to around 6,800 yards, and a par 72 from the very back markers, where the second hole becomes a par 5. Its real defence is the Moray Firth: the opening holes run right along the shoreline, exposed to a sea breeze that shapes every shot.
What championships has Nairn hosted?
Nairn hosted the 1999 Walker Cup, won 15 to 9 by Great Britain and Ireland, the most famous match in the club's history, and the 2012 Curtis Cup, along with numerous Scottish and amateur championships. That tournament pedigree, on a traditional links of real quality, is a large part of why Nairn sits among the top courses in Scotland.
How much does it cost to play Nairn Championship Course?
Indicative recent visitor green fees have started from around 120 pounds per round, rising at the summer peak, which is materially below the marquee Highland names and excellent value for a links of this calibre. The club also offers a combined ticket with its sister course. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm current rates directly before booking.
Can visitors play Nairn Championship Course?
Yes. Nairn welcomes visitors through the season via an online booking system, with afternoon only rules sometimes applying to certain packaged or reciprocal rates and prime summer mornings in high demand. It sits about 20 minutes east of Inverness, so book well ahead, especially for the peak months, and check any seasonal visitor restrictions before you travel.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.