Brora Golf Club
Brora Golf Club | Highlands
Set along the rugged North Sea coastline, Brora Golf Club offers one of the purest links experiences in the world. Designed by James Braid in 1923 and virtually unchanged since, it is a time capsule of traditional Scottish golf—windswept dunes, firm fairways, and greens protected not only by bunkers but by the course’s most famous caretakers: the sheep and cattle that roam freely across the links. Small electric fences around the greens preserve them, adding to Brora’s charm and authenticity.
Honored by five-time Open Champion Peter Thomson as “the purest links golf course in the world,” Brora combines natural beauty with subtle design brilliance. Its remote Highland setting adds to the magic, with holes that hug the sea and views that stretch endlessly across unspoiled landscapes. Playable year-round thanks to the grazing animals’ constant “maintenance,” Brora is a course that delivers joy as well as challenge, rewarding creativity and shot-making.
For travelers, Brora is more than a round—it is an immersion in Scotland’s golfing heritage at its most authentic. Cypress & Salt curates bespoke Highland itineraries that pair Brora with Royal Dornoch and other nearby gems, complemented by whisky tastings, castle stays, and private event planning for groups and corporate retreats.
Course Stats
Par: 70
Yardage: 6,211 yards (Championship tees)
Course Rating: 71.2
Slope Rating: 127
Designer: James Braid (1923)
Type: Traditional seaside links, virtually unchanged since its design
Signature Holes:
2nd: Scenic par 3 playing toward the North Sea, framed by dunes.
9th: Strong par 4 beside the railway line, classic Highland links character.
17th: Demanding par 4 hugging the coastline, exposed to prevailing winds.
Championships:
Historic host of regional and national amateur competitions.
Revered more for its authenticity and design heritage than modern championship play.
Season / Best Months to Play
Overall, Scotland is a year-round golf destination, but conditions vary dramatically:
May – September: Prime conditions with firm turf and long daylight hours.
June – August: Warmest months and most consistent weather in the Highlands.
September: Quieter but still excellent, with dramatic late-season light over the North Sea.
