Fraserburgh Golf Club

The links at Fraserburgh sit right on the northeast coast of Aberdeenshire, and it's a proper windswept affair - the kind of course where you'll spend half your time battling the elements rather than perfecting your swing. The 18-hole championship course has been here since 1886, which means it's had plenty of time to work out what it's doing.

You get genuine links golf here, not the manicured sort you find down south. The rough is thick, the fairways demand respect, and the sea air keeps everything honest. It's the sort of place where even moderate golfers will feel the challenge, and good golfers will relish it. Walkers might appreciate the coastal setting on a calm day, though this isn't really a spectator sport destination.

The club welcomes visitors, though you'll want to ring ahead and check current rates and availability before making the drive from Fraserburgh town centre. Allow a full day if you're playing the full round, and bring layers - the wind here isn't a suggestion.

If you're basing yourself at Down On The Farm holiday park nearby, this makes a solid morning or afternoon activity depending on your handicap and patience levels. It's not for casual golfers after a gentle knock-about, but if you're keen on proper links challenges, it's worth the detour. On a clear day the coastal views are decent enough, though honestly you'll be too focused on not slicing into the rough to appreciate them much.