Carnoustie & North East – Royal Aberdeen – 6372 yds – Par 70

The majority of visitors to Scotland’s golfing heartlands do not venture further north than Carnoustie on the east coast, but any itinerary would be enhanced by a trip to Royal Aberdeen, despite the fact that golf has been played in the city since before 1565, when it was first mentioned in the town’s Civic Register.

The Balgownie Links over which the Royal club now plays was laid out in 1887 and represents a traditional links of 9 holes “out” and nine “back” to the clubhouse over fabulous low lying links land.

The dunes which run over the course break up the land nicely and the holes make excellent use of them. The 2nd to the 9th the course runs out down a valley among huge shaggy dunes, and is unquestionably one of the finest nines in the British Isles.