Royal Dornoch. Saturday 30 August 2014.

Golf has been played at this site since 1616, yes that is right nearly 400 years, with the club being formed in 1877.  It is consistently ranked in the top 15 courses in the world, and was ranked number 6 in the recent Golf Digest world rankings.

Much like Castle Stuart, it is a very playable links, however is quite different in the undulations and bunkering. The rough allowed balls to be played rather than lost, and stunning to think that a version of the course has been here for so long.

Not our mode of transport, but was for another golfing group playing today. It was parked just off to the right side of the first tee, so there were a few don't go right swings!

Kim Hay, our winner from yesterday, gets her round underway from the first tee.

The course has associations with some of the world of golf's most recognisable names. Old Tom Morris was responsible for extending the original nine hole layout to 18 holes in the 1860's, and Donald Ross is considered Dornoch's most famous son.  Ross was the green keeper and club professional, and many of his course designs (most notably Pinehurst No. 2) feature the hallmarks of the greens at Royal Dornoch.

Jim Mitchell lines up a drive on the 13th.

The stunning view looking back over the second nine, from the 7th tee.

Helen Angus preparing to drive from the 11th tee.

A lovely view as the sun starts to set.

Jim Mitchell and his caddy Ian admiring the sunset on the 15th tee.  Jim played beautiful golf today, firing a 75 to record 43 points.  We had a double header for prizes today with both a men's and women's prize.  Jim claimed the men's victory, whilst Karen 'snickers' Pritchard won the women's prize with a very solid 35 points. Well done Karen and Jim.

Our next stop is Loch Lomond, which means an early start!

Clynelish Distillery. Saturday 30 August 2014.

Saturday like at home is member's competition day at Royal Dornoch, so the tee was not available for our group until 3pm.  This gave the opportunity for all participants to have a well earned sleep in, and  to take the opportunity to do a little sightseeing. Some took a stroll through the town, whilst 10 of us made our way to Brora to visit the Clynelish Whisky distillery.

Originally founded in 1819 by the Duke of Sutherland, the distillery produces a unique waxy textured single malt.  The majority of the whisky produced here is used in the company's blended whiskies such as Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve.

The original distillery operated until 1967, when a new facility was built just a few hundred yards to the south.

In 1969, the old distillery reopened, and produced whisky as the Brora distillery, until closing again in 1983.  The whisky produced as Brora is quite rare and now very valuable. There was a bottle for sale in the visitor centre for £1000.

Due to the alcohol fumes, photography and mobile phones were not permitted in the production areas.  This shot shows one of the six massive copper stills.  We were quite fortunate to be shown around at a time when production was occurring, and to see the processes in action was very interesting.  The different smells produced at various stages of the process were unbelievable. At one stage the smell was of pineapples!

We were shown around by the Brand Home Manager, Clair, who was great in explaining all things Clynelish, and the processes involved.  The shot above shows some of the whisky being aged in barrels in the ancient warehouse.  The small barrel at the front right of the picture houses some of the rare Brora whisky, and has done so since 1977. In that time, approximately 25% of the volume has been lost through evaporation.

At the end of the tour, members were able to sample some whiskies, and were shown the differences between three whiskies from Clynelish. It was 5pm somewhere in the world, and Alan Pritchard's sore throat was soothed nicely!

After the tour, we made our way back to Dornoch, ready for golf.

Castle Stuart. Friday 29 August 2014.

We awoke to rain here in Dornoch, but were assured by Ian our coach driver, that it would be fine and blue skies when we reached Inverness and Castle Stuart.  He was correct, and apart from a few showers, we had a beautiful day.

Here we look from near the putting green over the ninth hole to the Moray Firth.  Castle Stuart is another course with spectacular views from most holes.

The clubhouse has been built with an Art Deco look, and it sits proudly looking over the 2009 creation that is the golf course designed by Gil Hanse (designer of the golf course for the Rio Olympics) and Mark Parsinen.

Another look over the first hole.  The course proved to be very playable.  Fairways were wider, and rough less punishing.  The greens were quite difficult to master being not only quite undulating, but extremely hard and fast.

Nola Faure, our winner from yesterday, has dried out and is shown getting ready to commence her round from the first tee.

The fourth hole, a par three, features Castle Stuart as a focal point in the distance behind the green.  The distinctive "finialled ogee" on top of the castle, which looks like a crown on the castle, is used as the logo for the golf course.

Robyn Hanson is shown keeping an eye on proceedings on the par three 8th hole.

The scene as you walk down to the 10th hole.  There is no doubting why this course, the venue for the 2011, 2012, & 2013 Scottish Opens, was almost immediately included to the world top 100.

Alan Pritchard driving down the par four 10th hole.

The green at the par four 15th.

Jim Mitchell approaches the par three 11th on his way to a very solid round of 40 points.

The view down the par five 18th.

Scoring was quite hot today, thanks to good weather and a really playable course.  The clubhouse was full of smiles upon our return which was great to see.  Michael Merrett finished his round on fire with birdies on 4 of his last 5 holes. In addition to Jim Mitchell and his 40 points, Wendy Pullar scored 41 and left quite a few out there.  We had two however on 43 points.  James Angus who continued his great form, and Kim Hay.  Kim showed some great signs yesterday in the rain, so it was great to see a strong result today.  Kim was our winner today, great job Kim.

We get a well earned sleep in tomorrow, with some heading to the local Clynelish whisky distillery for a special tour prior to an afternoon round here at Royal Dornoch.

Trump International. Thursday 28 August 2014.

Well it had to happen sooner or later.  Our brilliant run of weather came to a very wet end at Trump International.  Sorry for the delayed post, a long transit and some equipment drying made for a late evening.

This is a shot of the driving range as we arrived.  The wind was blowing very strongly all morning, and just as we pulled up the skies opened up as well.  No the wind wasn't that strong that it was bending the clock tower on the left (wide lens distortion) but it felt like it!

My apologies that there are not many photos today.  Too wet to bring the proper camera out, so snapped a few gopro shots as we went around the front nine.

Yesterday's victor James Angus gets his round underway.  Yes that is him underneath all of that rainwear.

The course here has only been opened for 2 years, but it has bedded in beautifully.  It has been a project that has been controversial, and caused some disgruntled neighbours, but the vision I believe has justified the process to completion.  Set amongst the dunes there are, even looking through the sleet and behind broken umbrellas, some majestic views.

This is the view across the green on the par three 3rd hole.  On a nice day this would look magnificent.

The pot bunkering is impressive, and the grass quality is also.  It still needs a few years for the fairway grass to fully strengthen.  They are very firm and lies are tight, but peel away from the sandy base very quickly upon taking a divot.  The grasses you see to the sides of the fairway have all been planted by the course staff.  Apparently there are 11 million that were planted!  Something probably only Donald Trump could follow through with.  Yes there is the self promotion with his daughter's perfume selling in the golf shop, and the wall plaques stating that it has been voted the greatest golf course in the world (by the society of billionaire golf scientists or something of that esteem!), however mostly it has been done very tastefully.

I mentioned before that the photographs were taken on the front nine.  That is as far as most of the group persevered.  It is one of the few courses that has the 9th come back to the clubhouse, so most of us took the opportunity to find sanctuary in there.  A few did continue on, and were rewarded with even more stunning outlooks on both the 13th and 18th tees.

The competition was reduced to a 9 hole event, and was convincingly won by Nola Faure with an amazing 23 points. Looks like Nola just needs a challenge to bring the best out in her. Great job Nola.

After golf we loaded the bus and made our way up to Dornoch, where the drying room was switched on at full power.  Next on the list is Castle Stuart. Fingers crossed for better weather, and that everything has dried out!

Slains Castle. Wednesday 27 August 2014.

After golf today, the majority of the group took the kilometre long walk from the parking area, down the old stone fence lined driveway, to the ruins of Slains Castle.

Not only are the ruins a significant local landmark, but they are a very significant piece of family history for two participants, John and Kim Hay.  The clan Hay were a powerful family in the area, having possessed the land of Slains since the 14th century.

In 1453 Sir William Hay, the clan chief, was made Earl of Erroll by King James II. At this time the local seat of power was Old Slains Castle, some 8 kilometres to the south-west. Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll succeeded in 1585, and converted to Roman Catholicism. He conspired with other Catholic nobles, including the Earl of Huntly with whom he joined in a brief rebellion in 1589. Erroll was declared a traitor in 1594, and Old Slains Castle was destroyed in October on the orders of King James VI.

After a period abroad Erroll returned to Scotland, and abjured Roman Catholicism in 1597, subsequently returning to royal favour. He abandoned Old Slains and built a courtyard and square tower on the present site. Originally named Bowness, it later became known as New Slains.

In the 1830s the 18th Earl commissioned the Aberdeen architect John Smith to remodel the castle. This resulted in a virtual rebuilding of Slains in a Scots Baronial style, including granite facings, in 1836–1837.

The defensive works of the castle include use of the North Sea cliffs; an abyss to the west that functions as a deep impassable moat (shown above) and a ruined rampart (defensive wall) that would have been the main entrance on the south.

In 1913 the 20th Earl of Erroll sold New Slains, ending more than 300 years of occupation by the family. It was purchased by Sir John Ellerman who leased it out. In 1925 the roof was removed to avoid taxes, and the building has deteriorated since.  This is the view south west from the top of the eastern turret.

Bram Stoker regularly visited Cruden Bay, staying at the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel as we are.  It is said that Slains Castle was the inspiration for his 1897 novel 'Dracula'.

Looking out through one of many window openings.

The impressive stonework shows what an impressive building it would have been in it's former glory.

The view of the ruin from the North West.

John and Kim Hay standing on the historic building.  It was great to inspect the ruins, but even better to see John and Kim explore them also.  Such family history that is impossible to see in Australia.

Cruden Bay. Wednesday 27 August 2014.

Yet another perfect day greeted us as we awoke at the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel, Cruden Bay.  We boarded the coach and made the two minute journey to Cruden Bay Golf Club.

This is the view seen from outside the clubhouse, looking down the first hole, with the ruins of Slains Castle in the distance.  We will discuss Slains Castle in more depth later.

Yesterday's champion, Helen Angus, preparing to commence her round today.

Here we have the view seen from the tee on the par three 3rd hole.  Cruden Bay has some absolutely stunning outlooks, and this is no exception.

This is the view across the fourth green from the fifth tee.  The fourth is a 450 yard par four that approaches the green from the right of the picture. The shot is partially blind, and then you are faced with a green that is 50 yards long.  Having the correct distance on the approach is vital, for if you are on the wrong side of the steeply tiered green, the putt is nigh on impossible as I found out today!

Alan Pritchard waving to us on the eighth green from high up on the ninth tee.

This is the view from behind the eighth green, on the path leading up to the ninth tee.

As we reach the ninth tee, this is the outlook we receive.  It kind of makes up for the poor golf being played!  Again you can see Slains Castle in the distance.

Sharon Marks is pictured here preparing to play her bunker shot.

This is located directly off the right side of the 13 hole.

Patrick Carlisle blasting his way from the green side bunker on hole 14.  This hole, a par four, is the first of three holes in a row with blind shots into the green.  The next two however are par threes!

This is the green on the first of these blind par threes, the 15th. The hut you see in the distance is located behind the green on the 16th, the second blind par three in a row.

Michael Merrett approaches the 18th green.  Scoring was again difficult today with the rough areas being really thick and lush, and quite long.  Gorse is plentiful, and on many occasions not far from the fairways or greens.

James Angus showed that the ability to play more golf is the key to success, well for some anyway, taking the chocolates with a great 37 points.  It also created the second husband / wife winning double of the trip thus far.  Great job James, well done.

All players agreed that they would love to return.  Tomorrow we play the new, divisive, and also spectacular Trump International prior to making our way to Dornoch.