Shiskine
Shiskine is one of the great curiosities of Scottish golf, a 12 hole links by the beach at Blackwaterfoot on the Isle of Arran, laid out by Willie Fernie in 1896. Par 42 over about 2,996 yards, with blind shots, clifftop tees and famous holes like the Crow's Nest and the Himalayas, it is pure, unhurried fun.
Photo: Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club via Google.
The verdict
Shiskine was founded in 1896 and laid out by Willie Fernie on a strip of links land between the village of Blackwaterfoot and the sea, on the west coast of the Isle of Arran. It is a 12 hole course, a true rarity, playing to a par of 42 over about 2,996 yards, and it is one of the most charming and unusual rounds in all of Scotland.
This is golf at its most joyful: a topographical roller coaster of blind shots, clifftop tees and sloping greens, with seven par 3s and a single par 5 among the twelve holes. Holes such as the Crow's Nest and the Himalayas have a character all their own, and against the backdrop of the Mull of Kintyre across the water, Shiskine is the kind of place that reminds you why you fell in love with the game.
Shiskine at a glance
- Opened
- 1896
- Designer
- Willie Fernie
- Type
- Seaside links
- Holes
- 12
- Par
- 42
- Yardage
- About 2,996 yds
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club and leading course databases. The course was laid out by Willie Fernie and founded in 1896, a 12 hole links of par 42 over about 2,996 yards, with seven par 3s and one par 5. Shiskine is a welcoming club with visitor green fees that vary by season (indicative, 2026), so always confirm current rates and tee availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Shiskine packs more character into 12 holes than most courses manage in 18. The links land is compact and dramatic, the holes tumbling over and around the coastal terrain, and the blind shots are not a gimmick but the very fabric of the place, demanding local knowledge and a sense of adventure.
The famous holes deliver the thrill: the Crow's Nest, a blind one shotter to a clifftop green, and the Himalayas, played over a great mound, are unlike anything on a conventional course. With seven par 3s, the round is a procession of short, sharp challenges, each green sloping and quick.
Played in the sea breeze with the Mull of Kintyre on the horizon, Shiskine gives back the pure, unpretentious joy of seaside golf. It is short, quirky and unforgettable, the perfect counterpoint to the championship links on a Scottish golf trip.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Welcoming club; visitors are encouraged, with tee times booked ahead in season |
| Green fee | Visitor green fees vary by season and are modest (indicative, 2026); confirm with the club |
| Booking | Book ahead in the busy summer months, especially around the Arran ferry timetable |
| On the day | Walking on natural links turf; allow time for the blind shots and the views |
| Getting there | Blackwaterfoot on the west of Arran, reached by the ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick, then across the island |
| Best months | May to September for the warmest, driest conditions and the longest daylight |
Access and fee arrangements verified June 2026; Shiskine publishes visitor green fees that change by season, so always confirm current rates and tee availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers stay on the Isle of Arran itself, in Blackwaterfoot or the larger village of Brodick, both within easy reach of Shiskine and full of friendly inns and guest houses. An Arran base lets you settle into the island's gentle pace.
For those touring more widely, the Ayrshire coast across the water offers a wealth of lodging and championship links, with the ferry from Ardrossan the link to Arran. It is an ideal pairing, combining Shiskine's charm with the great courses of the Scottish west coast.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Shiskine.
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Shiskine questions
Who designed Shiskine and when did it open?
Shiskine was laid out by Willie Fernie and founded in 1896, on links land at Blackwaterfoot on the west coast of the Isle of Arran.
How many holes is Shiskine?
Shiskine is a 12 hole links, a true rarity, playing to a par of 42 over about 2,996 yards, with seven par 3s and a single par 5.
What are the famous holes at Shiskine?
The Crow's Nest, a blind one shotter to a clifftop green, and the Himalayas, played over a great mound, are the most celebrated of Shiskine's quirky, characterful holes.
Can visitors play Shiskine?
Shiskine welcomes visitors, with tee times booked ahead in the busy summer season. Green fees vary by season, so confirm current rates with the club before travelling.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.