Cabot Highlands in the Scottish Highlands is expanding its golf resort with a second course named Old Petty and new lodges built near the clubhouse.
The site includes the Castle Stuart links course, which Cabot acquired three years ago in 2022. Scotland has been recognized as the birthplace of golf at St. Andrews since the 15th century, alongside famed courses such as Royal Troon and Turnberry Trump. Cabot also operates golf locations at Cape Breton in Canada, Lofoten Links in Norway, St Lucia, and Citrus Farms in Florida.
Daily Mail Sport reported that Castle Stuart has hosted the Scottish Open multiple times and features a coastline layout with high grass and marshy terrain. The general manager stated that the driving range is being developed into a 12-hole pitch and putt for night play, while golfers warm up on a large putting surface in front of the main clubhouse before reaching the first tee.
Castle Stuart Links Course
Golfers at Castle Stuart are assigned caddies, including caddy Allan, to navigate the championship course. Wind speeds during play can reach 40mph, creating a four or five club swing requirement as conditions worsen.
The first three holes play directly into the wind with all danger on the right along the coastline. The fourth hole turns uphill and plays downwind as a par three at the castle the course is named after, before the back nine drops back down to the shoreline for its first three holes.
The closing stretch features a long par three 17th hole where players can use a driver into the wind. The finishing 18th hole is a par five measuring around 600 yards playing toward the clubhouse, providing a balanced layout suitable for players with a 20 handicap.
Old Petty Design and Features
Old Petty is currently open for previewing before its official opening around May next year. Arnold Palmer developed plans for a second course years ago, but Cabot announced new plans with architect Tom Doak after acquiring the property in 2022.
Located to the right of the driving range, the first tee leads to crossing fairways on the first and 18th holes and a par three second hole. The layout then leaves the original grounds, crosses a gravel road, and runs mostly on farmland away from sand dunes.
The course plays near the Castle Stuart Bay estuary, which celebrates its 400th birthday this year. A par three sits right next to the estuary, the fourth hole plays alongside it, and holes 13 through 15 are hilly holes that play toward and alongside the water.
A converted red half-way house after the fifth green previously slept 10 people. Resort plans call for making the house more accessible to back-nine players wanting coffee without crossing marshland.
Old Petty features a par five eighth hole that can be reached in two shots, a downhill 320-yard par four 13th hole, and a 135-yard par three 17th hole with a raised green and rear bunker. The course acts as an easier complement to Castle Stuart.
Accommodation and Airport Access
Cabot Highlands offers high-spec shared lodges with private rooms and bathrooms alongside a shared living room and kitchen. Package prices start at around £495 for one night and two rounds of golf, compared to about £330 for a single round at Castle Stuart.
Guests currently cross the 16th fairway to reach the lodges. By the end of this year, Cabot plans to begin constructing a series of lodges right next to the clubhouse, with an estimated build time of one year.
The resort is located five minutes from Inverness Airport, with occasional planes flying overhead, and a 15 to 20 minute drive from central Inverness. The clubhouse serves meals for guests, including breakfast rolls.
