Castle Stuart

Castle Stuart is a restored tower house beside the Moray Firth, ten kilometres northeast of Inverness. Mary, Queen of Scots gave the land to her half-brother, the first Earl of Moray, after she returned to Scotland in 1561. The first two earls were murdered, so the castle was finished by the third earl in 1625. After the House of Stuart’s fortunes fell in the 17th century, the building stood empty for three centuries. In the 20th century it was brought back to life and now serves as a luxury hotel. The castle’s seaside golf course opened in 2009 and was planned by Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse. Golf magazine named it the best new course in its first year. It has hosted the Scottish Open four times, in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2016, drawing top players from around the world. The links run along the firth’s edge, offering wide views of the water and distant hills. Visitors to Castle Stuart find a four-storey tower with stone walls and modern interiors turned into guest rooms. The golf course stretches across dunes and fairways beside the firth, with the castle visible from many holes. The hotel’s public rooms include a restaurant and lounge where guests can eat with views over the water. Outside, the shoreline path leads east towards small fishing villages and west towards Inverness.