As the home of golf, Scotland is on the list for just about everyone who has ever played a round, and while St Andrews in the east is rightly famous for its history and heritage, the west coast offers courses with spectacular views and tranquil settings.
Visitors to the Blue Cottage by Loch Awe can access three scenic local public courses, all within 25 minutes drive from the cottage at Ardbrecknish on the easterly shore of Loch Awe. Remember, if you are staying at the cottage and don’t bring your clubs you can help yourself to the ‘elderly’ set of clubs in the Blue Cottage shed; or simply hire a set at the clubs we are highlighting.
Dalmally Golf Club
15 minutes’ drive north from the Blue Cottage lies Dalmally Golf Club offering 9 holes which, played twice, total 4516 yards against a par of 64. One interesting twist is that although the nine holes are played twice, six of them offer secondary tees, subtly changing the approach required in the second half of one’s round.
The Dalmally course weaves its way around the River Orchy, and is generally flat while surrounded by the spectacular hills and countryside of Argyll.
a – Old Sawmill, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, PA33 1AE
t – 01838 200619
e – online form
w – dalmallygolfclub.co.uk
Inveraray Golf Club
Just over 20 minutes down the A819, Inveraray is famous for visitor attractions such as its Castle and Inveraray Jail, now run as a museum. For those looking to escape to a more open air environment though, look no further than Inverarary Golf Club at the south end of the town.
Offering stunning views across Loch Fyne, the course is another 9-hole affair which, played twice, delivers a challenging 5598 yards and a par of 70, including two short holes, six par fours and one par five.
a – Upper Ave, Inveraray PA32 8TW
t – 01499 302511
Taynuilt Golf Club
Taynuilt is approximately 25 minutes drive away from the Blue Cottage, heading first north east and around the head of Loch Awe before swinging south down the western shore and then north west. The course offers 9 holes (four par 3s and five par 4s) for a total of 2255 and a par of 32 (or 4510 and 64 if played as 18 holes).
The scenery surrounding the course is glorious, set as it is near the foot of Ben Cruachan and players will be taken out toward the shore of Airds Bay on Loch Etive before swinging back for home again.
a – Golf Club, Taynuilt PA35 1JH
t – 01866 822429
e – online form
w – taynuiltgolfclub.co.uk
