Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club Links

About the club

Located on the Chanonry Peninsula in the ‘Black Isle’ our Scottish links golf course enjoys breathtaking views over the Moray Firth, very close to the City of Inverness. Our links course is now confirmed as being the 15th Oldest Recorded Club in the World in 1793. The course was later re-designed by the five time Open Champion James Braid in 1932. There is documentary evidence of golf being played over 'Chanonry' which is now called Fortrose dating back to 1702. It was contained in a letter from a Mr George MacKenzie of Balconie, a cousin of the Earl of Seaforth and provost of Fortrose at that time. Writing to his Edinburgh law agent, he thanks him for sending him a club and golf balls but admits that as a farmer he should not really be playing golf at harvest time. He then excuses himself at succumbing to such sporting pleasure by adding the words ‘Oportet Vivre’ (Life is for living) – a philosophy followed by many golfers to this day! Playing on one of the finest links golf courses in Scotland is a must for your golfing calendar, especially as we are so close to other distinguished links in the area, such as Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart, Brora and Nairn. The course has received accolades such as ‘a gem of a course by the sea’, ‘perhaps the best jewel in the highland golfing crown’ and ‘a unique course with special character to be found nowhere else’. The course is open every day of the year and we welcome golfers from all over the world to play on this fantastic links course which has hosted a number of national championships and will continue to do so in the years ahead. The greens are not just fast but also deceptive, with tight fairways and strategically placed bunkers throughout the course – the trademark of the all-time master of bunkering, James Braid. Whilst the course is playing to its full capacity, members, their guests and any golfers visiting our links can play from ANY of our Tees. The choice is your own so you can of course play from the Yellow, White or the new Black tees which will add to the experience of playing on a true Scottish Links Golf Course. Ladies are advised to play from the RED tees. Visiting Golfers with a higher handicap are advised to play from the Yellow or White Tees.