By David Whyte
The North Coast 500 is one of the most scenic road trips in Scotland, skirting the country’s northernmost perimeter from Inverness to John o’ Groats across to Durness and then south, tracing the stunning mountain scenery of the West Coast.
But it’s a long way to go by car, with drivers having to navigate single-track roads and flocks of surly sheep. Now, golfers can take the easy option and do it in just over an hour – by air.
Links House at Royal Dornoch has created the “Sky-to-Shore” experience, a unique combination of scenic flights and indulgent Highland hospitality. Guests are whisked into the skies for an unforgettable journey over some of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes. From Dunrobin Castle to the rugged cliffs of John o’ Groats, the stunning West Highland mountain landscape, and even a buzz over Loch Ness. It’s hard to believe you can see all of this in just over an hour.
For golfers, the best bit might be a breathtaking aerial perspective of Royal Dornoch Golf Links, the peak of the Scottish Highlands golf experience. Priced from £1,300 for two, the package includes exceptional lodgings near the first tee, two nights’ dinner, and bed and breakfast.
Northern Ireland’s north coast is preparing for a major golf addition with the announcement of Bellarena Golf Links, a championship-level course planned for the shoreline between Portrush and Limavady. Remarkably, it will be the first authentic links course built in the region in more than a century, signaling a bold new phase for Irish golf tourism.
The development, led by the Galgorm Collection, represents an investment of £30 million and is scheduled to open in 2029. Around 300 jobs are expected to be generated during construction and through long-term operations, providing both economic and community benefits.
The vision for Bellarena goes beyond creating a world-class playing experience. The course is designed with the ambition to host international tournaments, while also welcoming travelling golfers eager to discover the rugged landscapes and coastal beauty of Northern Ireland.
Once complete, Bellarena will sit alongside icons like Royal Portrush, enhancing the country’s already strong golfing reputation. With its dramatic setting, economic promise, and top-tier design, the new links is poised to become both a sporting landmark and a catalyst for growth across the tourism sector.
The islands of Madeira off the coast of Morocco are called a lot of great things, but not a golf destination. With only two golf courses on the main island and a Seve Ballesteros design stunner on the neighboring island of Porto Santo, it attracts older couples looking for a bit of golf amidst the sublime peace and tranquility of these idyllic Portuguese islands.
Madeira is set for a major golf infusion, however. Work is advancing on the long-awaited Ponta do Pargo Golf Course on the island’s western tip, while Madeira’s Regional President Miguel Albuquerque has just announced fresh plans for a fifth course at the island’s opposite end.
The Ponta do Pargo course is designed by six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo and is slated to open in 2026, perched on a refreshing cliffside locale with all the gusto of Ireland’s Old Head of Kinsale, Kapalua’s Plantation course, Bandon Dunes, or the elemental energy of the Ocean Course at Kiawah.
The move signals a bold strategy to turn Madeira into a premier golfing destination, combining incredible natural beauty, luxury living, and a pleasant climate year-round.
The best part is, United Airlines began offering direct flights from Newark to Funchal, Madeira, in June.