Nairn Championship: 2026 Access and Booking Update
On the Moray Firth east of Inverness, Nairn is a classic traditional links from 1887, refined by Old Tom Morris and James Braid and host of the 1999 Walker Cup. Here is where it stands in 2026, what green fees to expect, and how to play one of the great value rounds in Highland golf.
The news: a Walker Cup links, matured and fairly priced
Nairn enters 2026 as one of the most complete traditional links in the north of Scotland. The original course was laid out in 1887 by Andrew Simpson, refined by two giants of the game in Old Tom Morris and the five time Open champion turned architect James Braid, and renovated by the respected architects Mackenzie and Ebert in 2018. Eight seasons on, that renovation work has bedded in, and the Championship Course now blends Victorian design with thoroughly modern conditioning.
The talking point for travellers in 2026 is value relative to its pedigree. Nairn hosted the 1999 Walker Cup, won 15 to 9 by Great Britain and Ireland, and the 2012 Curtis Cup, yet its visitor fees still sit materially below the marquee Highland names. With amateur golf back in the spotlight after the 2025 Walker Cup at Cypress Point, a round on a course that has actually staged the match is an easy sell.
The course, and the coast around it
The Championship Course plays as a par 71 of around 6,800 yards, 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, before the back nine moves inland into gorse and heather for a subtler, more strategic test. It is a links of two distinct halves, and the variety is a large part of its charm.
Nairn sits a short drive east of Inverness, which makes it the natural anchor of a Highland capital trip alongside its sister course Nairn Dunbar and the run of links up the coast toward Royal Dornoch. Few towns put a Walker Cup links this close to an airport.
How to play it in 2026
Nairn welcomes visitors through the season, booked in advance, with a combined ticket available alongside its sister course. Indicative 2026 visitor green fees start from around 120 pounds per round in the shoulder season and rise toward roughly 230 pounds at the high summer peak. Treat those as indicative and confirm directly before booking, as the club sets its rates by season.
The links plays best from late spring to early autumn, when the firm seaside turf rewards the running game the course was built for. Summer tee times go early, so if you are pairing Nairn with Castle Stuart or Royal Dornoch, build the itinerary well ahead and consider May or September for keener value and quieter fairways.
Our take
Our take is that Nairn is one of the most underrated marquee links in Scotland, a genuine championship test with real tournament history that still asks a fair price. The seaside front nine alone is worth the trip, and the inland return gives the round a thinking player's balance you do not always find on a pure links.
If you are building a 2026 Highland trip around Inverness, make Nairn the centrepiece and add Castle Stuart and Royal Dornoch around it. Travel between May and September, book the summer dates early, and confirm the current rate directly before you go.
Plan your Highland golf trip
From Nairn and Castle Stuart near Inverness to Royal Dornoch up the coast, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
Can visitors play the Nairn Championship Course in 2026?
Yes. Nairn welcomes visitors through the season, booked in advance, with a combined ticket available for its sister course. Summer slots on this classic links fill early, so book ahead.
What are the green fees at Nairn for 2026?
Indicative 2026 visitor green fees start from around 120 pounds per round in the shoulder season and rise toward roughly 230 pounds at the high summer peak. Treat these as indicative and confirm directly before booking.
What championships has Nairn hosted?
Nairn hosted the 1999 Walker Cup, won 15 to 9 by Great Britain and Ireland, and the 2012 Curtis Cup, along with numerous Scottish and amateur championships. The Championship Course was renovated by Mackenzie and Ebert in 2018.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course, access and fee details verified June 2026 from club and golf travel sources; conditions and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.