Golf courses

Portmahomack has its own nine-hole Tarbat Golf Course where you can buy a weekly green fee. It is only a mile away from The Mandrel and in a glorious coastal setting next to Ballone Castle.

The north-east of Scotland has become a destination for golfers looking to experience original links courses. You could plan a fabulous week playing these fantastic courses, all within striking distance of The Mandrel. 

Tain Golf Course is described as 'Old Tom Morris's Jewel of the North'. It has open competitions throughout the summer months including Tain Golf Week in early August.

Royal Dornoch Golf Club offers a championship course which has been a destination for golfers from all over the world, as well as the less daunting Struie course.

Further up the coast to the north of Dornoch are another two challenging links courses, Golspie and Brora, both within an hour's drive from The Mandrel.

Fortose and Rosemarkie Golf Course on the Black Isle, is the 15th oldest recorded golf course in the world and has featured in the Scottish Golf Tourism awards in 2024 and 2025. 

As well as these iconic links courses, there are lots of other more affordable options to swing a club while drinking in the beautiful Highland landscape. These include 9-hole courses in Alness and Bonar Bridge, and 18-hole courses in Invergordon, Muir of Ord and Strathpeffer.

The Mandrel is an ideal holiday house for golfing groups. The large boot room has lots of space for golf bags and to hang up waterproofs between outings.