The Best Golf Courses to Discover on Scottish Islands

By: Kieran Clark | Thu 13 Jul 2023

When golfers flock to Scotland in their thousands, they're likely to travel in the direction of St Andrews and the surrounding area, perhaps the golf coasts of East Lothian and Ayrshire, or maybe even the many wonderful courses found in the Highlands. But for those of a more adventurous disposition, there is much to discover and savour across Scotland's islands.

The courses here are generally rugged, quirky and boasting the most spectacular of views. They're also generally extremely affordable and present a purer, most quintessential form of the game that that will leave an indelible mark in your memory.

Also, the islands and communities they represent offer a unique experience of their own, providing a true escape from the pressures and excesses of modern life.

We have done research from the Golfshake Course Directory and beyond to uncover the best of Scotland's island courses, where you can find them, and how to get there. Start planning the most exciting and special golf trip of your life!

Here are the islands we have featured:

Arran
Barra
Benbecula
Bute
Colonsay
Harris
Islay
Jura
Lewis
Mull
Orkney
Shetland
Skye
South Uist
Tiree

If we have missed any courses, or if you have extra information and potential images that we could add, then we would be hugely grateful for your feedback and input!

Arran

Often referred to as Scotland in Miniature, the spectacular Isle of Arran boasts a major Highland landscape courtesy of the Highland Boundary Fault. Visitors can access the island via a ferry from Ardrossan in Ayrshire, while golfers love the many courses dotted around the landscape, most especially the celebrated Shiskine.

Brodick Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 61 | 4747 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 3.68

Review Comment: "Another great Isle of Arran course. Mostly flat with some views onto the bay. Plenty here to test even the best golfer but still an enjoyable experience for the high handicapper."

Corrie Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 62 | 3830 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.60

Review Comment: "Now, this is an absolute GEM. A must play if you are on the island of Arran. Probably the best 9 hole course I have ever played. Fabulous course, fairways, tees, greens, immaculate. Cannot praise this place enough. Also views are absolutely incredible. I had never heard of this place, but I will play again. Food also brilliant."

Lamlash Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 64 | 4510 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.41

Review Comment: "Not a long course, but in those 4,000 yards are some of the prettiest holes you're likely to play anywhere. This is especially true of the holes heading back towards the town and the backdrop of Holy Isle."

Lochranza Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 68 | 4664 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 3.80

Machrie Bay Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 66 | 4556 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 2.78

Review Comment: "Not the hardest course. Easy walking. The setting beside the sea in Machrie is superb, looking out towards The Mull of Kintyre. Well worth a visit - or several!"

Shiskine

Details: 12 Holes | Par 42 | 2996 yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.76

Review Comment: "Simply 12 holes of unadulterated joy. How links golf should be. Not a dull hole on the course. Fabulous blind shots, great mix of holes, just get to Arran and play this place. Great little pro shop and clubhouse. All positives."

Whiting Bay Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 63 | 4451 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.22

Review Comment: "An interesting mainly hilltop course, which is a golf test of golf - especially your short game. A magnificent setting on a clear day. A warm welcome awaits you too!"

Barra

Located in the Outer Hebrides, Barra is popular with tourists and retains a notable Scottish Gaelic presence. It can be reached by air from Glasgow, while there is a long ferry to the island from Oban in the northern corner of mainland Argyll.

Isle of Barra Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes | 2396 Yards

Golfshake Rating: Not Yet Rated

Benbecula

Also part of the Outer Hebrides, Benbecula has a population of around 1,300 and can be reached by air from Glasgow and Inverness courtesy of a Loganair flight.

Benbecula Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 62 | 4179 Yards

Golfshake Rating: Not Yet Rated

Bute

Perhaps the most easy to reach of Scotland's major islands, Bute is located in the Firth of Clyde and is a short journey from Glasgow, with a regular ferry service (taking around 35 minutes) from Wemyss Bay to the main town of Rothesay, which was a Victorian resort. There are three golf courses on the island, which is known for its sandy beaches and the remarkable Mount Stuart House.

Bute Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 68 | 5186 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 3.05

Review Comment: "BUTEiful little course with stunning scenery. Much improved now it's not shared with the cows and sheep."

Port Bannatyne Golf Club

Details: 13 Holes (+5 For 18) | Par 68 | 4506 Yards

Golfshake Rating: Not Yet Rated

Rothesay Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 69 | 5419 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.47

Review Comment: "Excellent course in fantastic condition. Staff and all connected to club were brilliant. Last played here three years ago, will not wait so long to return to one of my favourite courses. Many thanks for a memorable weekend."

Colonsay

Little over 100 people live on Colonsay, but it attracts a notable cohort of tourists, with Caledonian MacBrayne ferries sailing from Oban and, between April and October, from Kennacraig via Port Askaig on Islay.

Colonsay Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 70 | 4752 Yards

Golfshake Rating: Not Yet Rated

Harris

The southern part of Lewis and Harris, this is an extremely rural place to explore, but there is much to relish when you see the scenery and beaches.

Isle of Harris Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 68 | 4546 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.30

Review Comment: "Simply stunning location - have not played in a more picturesque setting."

Islay

Known as The Queen of the Hebrides, Islay is one of Scotland's largest islands and is accessed via a regular ferry from Kennacraig. Golfers will relish the experience of visiting The Machrie, which was brought back to life by designer DJ Russell and opened for play in 2017, with a stunning hotel attached to the venue.

The Machrie

Details: 18 Holes | Par 72 | 6309 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.86

Review Comment: "Fabulous links course in immaculate condition. Really friendly and welcoming in the pro shop."

Jura

Part of the Inner Hebrides, Jura is home to Ardfin, where you will find an extraordinary, but highly-exclusive golf course, which, it's accurate to say, the vast majority of us will likely never have the chance to play.

Ardfin

Details: 18 Holes | Par 72 | 6819 Yards

Golfshake Rating: Not Yet Rated

Lewis

Lewis is the northern segment of Lewis and Harris, the largest of the Western Isles. The town of Stornoway has a population of 6,900, making this one of the most populated of Scotland's island settlements. Caledonian MacBrayne's MV Loch Seaforth ferry takes visitors from Ullapool on the mainland to Stornoway, taking over two hours, while flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh are also available.

Stornoway Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 68 | 5252 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 2.80

Mull

One of Scotland's largest islands, Mull's most significant settlement of Tobermory is instantly recognisible, which can be reached via a ferry from Kilchoan. But most visitors will travel on the regular crossing from Oban to the village and port of Craignure.

Craignure Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 66 | 5048 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 3.51

Review Comment: "Very testing course with sea on one side and gorse on the other in places, but nevertheless an excellent course with fantastic views down the Sound of Mull."

Tobermory Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 64 | 4912 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.30

Review Comment: "This course is a must for pure golf nuts! Defo one for the Bucket List and counting days on when can go back and play."

Orkney

Orkney is an archipelago positioned roughly ten miles from the far north of the mainland in Scotland, with 20 of the approximately 70 islands being inhabited. There are several connections between the islands and the mainland, notably the NorthLink Ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, and Loganair offers flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen.

Orkney (Kirkwall) Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 70 | 5411 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.32

Review Comment: "Not the most challenging course but good quality."

Sanday Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes | Par 35 | 2600 Yards

South Ronaldsay Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 66 | 5508 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 2.80

Review Comment: "I really enjoyed this course. You really have to play for position as a lot of burns run across the course."

Stromness Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 65 | 4804 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 1.96

Review Comment: "A short course which, for me, was too hilly with too many blind shots. The scenery e.g. views of Hoy was spectacular. Lucky with the weather - cool, windy and some sunshine."

Westray Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 66 | 4810 Yards

Golfshake Rating: Not Yet Rated

Shetland

The Shetland Islands are located more than 100 miles north of mainland Scotland and enjoy a cultural link with Norway courtesy of the Norse history across the archipelago. Transport between the islands themselves is primarily by ferry, while a 12-hour ferry exists from Aberdeen to the primary town of Lerwick. Loganair operates flights to the Scottish Mainland up to ten times a day.

Asta Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (18 Switched Tees) | Par 32 / Par 31 | 2023 Yards / 2320 Yards

Golfshake Rating: Not Yet Rated

Shetland Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 68 | 5562 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.30

Review Comment: "Solid round with a few mistakes on a lovely course in the Shetland's. Would recommend to all."

Whalsay Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 71 | 6171 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.32

Review Comment: "Excellent location, stunning views and very friendly people."

Skye

One of Scotland's most famous islands, Skye is accessible to the mainland courtesy of the Skye Bridge, linking Kyle of Lochalsh to Skye. There is much history, culture, scenery and wildlife to discover here, making it a must-visit destination for anyone.

Isle of Skye Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 67 | 4776 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 3.70

Review Comment: "This may be the prettiest golf course in the world. Nestling by the sea on the Isle of Skye, you’ll be distracted by gorgeous views in every direction. It’s stupendously lovely to be there."

Skeabost Golf Club

Details: 9 Holes (Played Twice) | Par 62 | 3114 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 3.80

Review Comment: "A gem, take your clubs to Scotland Not easy to find!"

South Uist

The beautiful island of South Uist is a highlight of the Outer Hebrides and much of its population still speak the Gaelic language. The Askernish course was created by Old Tom Morris back in 1891, but was lost for many years before being rediscovered to offer a truly unique experience.

Askernish Golf Club

Details: 18 Holes | Par 72 | 6259 Yards

Golfshake Rating: 4.37

Review Comment: "An utterly unique golfing experience. A very organic links which works with the ecological balance of the stunning environment it is part of. The course is quite a golfing riddle so will take a few rounds and a bit of patience to get close to a good score, but it won't take much to get hooked and find yourself wanting to keep coming back for more! Facilities are fairly basic but hospitable and in keeping with the setting. At the very least a once in a life time golfing experience."

Tiree

The most westerly island in the Inner Hebrides, Tiree can be reached via a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Oban, while there are Loganair flights available too from Glasgow.