Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club: Located between the neighbouring villages of Fortrose and Rosemarkie, no course in Britain and Ireland, except perhaps the Old Head near Cork, is more spectacularly surrounded by the sea. But unlike the dramatically elevated Old Head, here at Fortrose you will often be playing beside the beach. The 18-holes of this wonderfully scenic, seaside golf course occupy the lion's share of Chanonry Ness, which points finger-like into the Moray Firth. Every hole rubs shoulders with or looks onto the Firth, often from any direction you care to face. The opening stretch of holes underline the need for accuracy versus length as a foundation for scoring well. Seriously deep, revetted bunkers, ball-grabbing whins (gorse bushes) and firm bounces on the fairways and greens underline that this is a traditional links golf course in every respect. The front-nine forms a clockwise loop, hugging the peninsula's shoreline. This leaves the eight consecutive par-4s and closing par-3 of the back-nine to journey counter-clockwise through the layout's equally scenic and slightly higher middle ground. At no point will you be more than a well-hit 5-iron away from the sea. Although short by modern standards, the wind will undoubtedly play its part in lengthening some holes and shortening others. On any given day, the tee-shot at the 130-yard par-3 5th, alongside the Chanonry Point Lighthouse, might require a bunt with a sand-wedge, or a full larrup with a 3-iron, or anything in-between. A wee gem of a course - don't miss it !