World-famous Scottish golf club details plans for new course amid 'chronic oversubscription'

The firm behind one of Scotland’s most revered golfing meccas has unveiled the first detailed plans for a new course.

Royal Dornoch, which has been repeatedly hailed as the home of the nation’s best course, wants to create a third 18 hole links course on land adjacent to the Dornoch Firth Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Documents submitted to Highland Council by the club - which is a major draw for international golfers, especially those from the US - point out that demand for golf tourism in the area is high, with its own championship course experiencing “chronic oversubscription” in recent years.

It states that the demand issues led to the full closure of tee bookings in 2022, with “strong advance bookings” reported for subsequent years.

The proposed development would create the new links, together with an upgrade of and alterations to the existing Struie course. The site, spanning around 171 hectares, is located west of the existing par 3 course and an area currently used as the academy driving range.

The existing 18 hole par 3 course would be relocated to the east of the site, plans which involve the creation of a new four hole part 3 course, and a new driving range.

The construction phase is expected to take around 12 months, with an indicative start year of 2028, according to an environmental impact assessment scoping opinion request. However, the development is still at a relatively early stage of the planning process, with no decision made as yet by the local authority.

Royal Dornoch first announced its intention to build a third course last year, when it appointed King Collins Dormer Golf Course Design to create the new layout.

Neil Hampton, the club’s general manager, said the investment would usher in “even greater economic and employment benefits” for the wider community.

He added: “Golf has long been the key economic driver in this part of the country and additional, high quality, eco-friendly championship courses created by highly-regarded designers can only enhance our reputation as a golfing destination and encourage visitors to extend their stay in the Highlands.”

The scoping opinion request report, prepared by London-based consulting and engineering services firm, Tetra Tech, on behalf of Royal Dornoch, states that approximately 32,000 rounds are played annually on the championship course, with a further 10,000 rounds on the Struie course.

It said a “significant proportion” of its visitors were “international, high‑value tourists,” attracted by the reputation of the championship course and the wider setting of Dornoch.

The document explains that the development may result in permanent habitat loss, and states that Royal Dornoch and its consultants propose to engage in “proportionate discussions” with consultees, the local community, and landowners as required.

In its submission, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency said it was “generally content” with the proposed scope outlined in the report. It said a detailed flood risk assessment will be required as part of the planning process, pointing out that the site is partly shown to be at risk of flooding from two burns.

Last December, the club opened a new £13.9 million clubhouse ahead of its 150th anniversary.