Championship Course

Royal Dornoch sits on the edge of the Moray Firth like it was placed there by golf architects who'd cracked some secret code. The links course in Dornoch - proper Highland stuff - has been around since 1877, and you can feel the history in every fairway. Even if you're not a golfer, walking the perimeter gives you an idea of why people get obsessed with this game. The views across the firth are genuinely worth the trek north.

For golfers, this is the draw. The course is championship standard, which means it'll humble you if your handicap suggests otherwise. The turf is springy, the rough unforgiving, and the wind off the water adds theatre to every shot. Non-golfers won't find much to do on the course itself - it's not a casual wander-around sort of place - but the clubhouse is welcoming enough for a pint after watching friends embarrass themselves on the back nine.

If you're staying at Dornoch Caravan & Camping Park, you're barely a mile away, which is handy. Dornoch Firth Caravan Park sits 5 miles down the road if you prefer something quieter. Both give you easy access to the course if you've managed to book a round - advance booking is essential, especially in summer. The town of Dornoch itself has a cathedral and decent restaurants, so you won't starve between rounds. Allow a full day minimum if you're playing; half an hour just to appreciate the setting if you're not.