↑ Old Petty at Cabot Highlands: A First Look at Scotland’s Newest Golf Course
When you set foot on Old Petty at Cabot Highlands, you are entering into a story that’s been centuries in the making where Castle Stuart’s silhouette looms in the distance of most holes. I was fortunate to get a preview of Old Petty, and from the very first tee, it was non-stop thrills.
Preview Play: An Exclusive First Look
Old Petty officially opened for preview play in August 2025. It is currently an experience reserved only for golfers with tee times at Castle Stuart. My anticipation was immense, and the reality surpassed all expectations.
The Routing: A Journey, Not Just a Loop
Long before Tom Doak and Clyde Johnson shaped Old Petty’s fairways, the grounds here were special. Doak and Johnson honoured this with a routing that feels timeless. Rather than impose design, they allowed the land to lead, creating holes that flow naturally with the coastal terrain. Rather than sculpting dramatic bunkers or artificial mounding, Doak/Johnson allowed the natural contours of the Highlands to dictate the courses strategy. The fairways rise and fall gently, echoing the movement of the sea beyond the dunes. Greens are seamlessly tucked into natural hollows, often defended not by deep bunkers but by clever angles, undulations, and the ever-present Highland winds.
The routing at Old Petty feels like a pilgrimage. The opening holes create intrigue by overlapping lines of play culminating in a stunning par-3 directly below the imposing Castle Stuart. Midway through the round, the course spills dramatically toward the Moray Firth, where the 10th through to the 15th holes showcase sweeping coastal vistas. The remaining holes weave past the historic Castle Stuart one more time before returning to the clubhouse for a finale that blends drama with reflection.
The greens at Old Petty are classic Doak—subtle, sometimes dramatic, and endlessly varied. Many feature slight crowns or run-off areas that demand precise approaches. Putts rarely appear straightforward; even short ones must be read with care as the land’s natural tilt can deceive the eye. Unlike overly penal modern greens, these reward creativity—bump-and-runs, lag putts from off the green, and recovery shots that test imagination as much as skill.
Interestingly, and contrasting its sibling Castle Stuart course, bunkers are scattered liberally across the layout. They are used sparingly and thoughtfully. A single, well-placed trap often guards the preferred angle, forcing golfers to decide: play safe to the wide side or take on the risk for a better approach. This restraint not only preserves the natural look of the landscape but also keeps the course playable for all levels.
The Closing Stretch – Final Thoughts
Walking off the 18th green, I realized Doak and Johnson have achieved something rare: they have created a golf course that provides a living narrative—where every swing connects you to the Highlands’ past, playing beneath the charming shadow of Castle Stuart on nearly every hole. Old Petty might be Scotland’s newest links course, but it’s also a modern classic in the making. It balances strategic design with natural beauty, history with innovation, and challenge with playability. Together with the Castle Stuart course, Cabot Highlands now offers one of the most compelling golf destinations in the entire world.
If you love the game, you owe it to yourself to visit. This will inevitably be a Highland legend written in grass, stone, and sea air.
