Such was the impact of our four-round tour at the magnificent Cabot Highlands in Inverness that we found ourselves booking our Farmhouse accommodation and tee times for 2026 before we’d even left the property. That’s the kind of impression this place makes.
While the sublime Castle Stuart course alone would have been reason enough to return, our group had the rare privilege of playing preview rounds at the brand-new Old Petty Links. The addition of this Tom Doak-designed links has transformed what was once an 18-hole golf club into a 36-hole resort destination. Though accommodation is currently limited, plans are in place to gradually expand, allowing more golfers to experience the pure escapism of staying on this stunning property overlooking the Moray Firth.
The Journey
Travelling from southwest London, the logistics couldn’t be simpler. British Airways’ 08:35 departure from Heathrow Terminal 5 had us settled with coffee in the clubhouse by 10:30 – testament to just how close this golfing paradise sits to Inverness Airport.
First Steps onto Old Petty
The first tee sits alongside a first-class driving range, immediately setting expectations. Four holes – the opening and closing two – occupy this section of the property, creating a true links environment where dunes frame the fairways. The unusual but intriguing design choice of having the 1st and 18th fairways criss-cross adds immediate character.
The attractive second hole leads you to a gate through an ancient stone wall, where Castle Stuart reveals itself in all its splendour. Standing on the long, downhill par-3 3rd, you can’t help but wonder if anyone has ever hooked their ball toward the magnificent and somewhat imposing structure. The 3rd and its counterpart, the uphill 16th, offer a more parkland aesthetic while maintaining the course’s consistent playing conditions. From the elevated 3rd tee, the full scale and ambition of Old Petty unfolds before
Into the Heart of the Course
From the 4th hole onwards, Old Petty reveals its true character. The hole hugs a reed-filled bay along the right side, evoking memories of Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course. Here begins the heart of Doak’s creation: rolling, rumpled fairways, strategic sandy waste areas, and gentle elevation changes that constantly challenge your course management.
The bright red-roofed Bothy beside the heavily contoured 5th green provides both visual punctuation and welcome refreshment. Though early in the round for most, the anticipation of their sausage roll after a light breakfast proved irresistible – creating a memorable moment that perfectly captures Old Petty’s blend of serious golf and Highland hospitality.
Course Conditions and Character
This brief interlude allowed us to appreciate the course’s remarkable condition for such a new layout. While the greens will undoubtedly quicken with time and some areas still await full maturation, nothing detracted from our enjoyment. If anything, the slightly softer conditions provided a gentle introduction to what promises to become a formidable test.
The large copse framing the 6th and 10th holes adds textural depth to a landscape already rich with colour – the varied grasses, strategic sand, endless sky, the bay, and that ever-present castle creating a constantly shifting palette of Highland beauty.
Strategic Excellence
The three par-5s stand as examples of strategic design at its finest. Each poses different questions and provides multiple options on every shot. The tee shots point in different directions, and the holes meander toward their greens, demanding thoughtful course management rather than brute force.
The four par-3s offer entirely contrasting challenges: one relatively flat, two downhill, and the short 17th climbing deceptively upward – each playing differently as Highland winds shift direction. The 200-yard-plus 14th, declining gently toward the water’s edge, ranks among the course’s signature holes, with views stretching across the bay to the Moray Firth and mountains beyond. The 17th, with the clubhouse as backdrop and steep sandy scrub in the foreground, bears Doak’s unmistakable signature and will undoubtedly become one of the courses most photographed holes. The hole plays longer than the yardage and beware the cunning bunker below the right hand side of the green.
Design Philosophy
Notably absent are the greenside bunkers you might expect on the par-3s – or throughout much of the course. Instead, Doak has crafted green complexes that provide protection through large mounds, swales, and hummocks. As green speeds increase, these natural defences will only become more challenging, creating a course that will grow in difficulty. Very large areas have been prepared for teeing it up, so the course will offer a broad range of playability to suit all levels.
A Fitting Finale
The 18th finishes beneath the clubhouse, framed by substantial dunes – a fitting conclusion to what proves to be a hugely enjoyable round. Despite the vastness of the landscape, the walk remains pleasant, helped by the thoughtful positioning of tees and greens.
The Verdict
While Old Petty may lack some of Castle Stuart’s immediate scenic drama, it offers something equally valuable: a consistently excellent test of golf that will likely prove the tougher examination as conditions firm up. The variety of wind directions and shot-making demands ensures that no two rounds will play alike.
Our overwhelming impression? Old Petty represents a fabulous addition to Cabot Highlands, providing enough world-class golf to establish this as a true destination resort. The fact that we booked our return before leaving speaks volumes about the lasting impression this Highland gem makes; we can’t wait to play both courses again.