DESPITE knowing I was going to be staying almost on the tee of one of Scotland’s finest golf courses, I decided to leave my clubs at home.
Being more Happy Gilmore than Scottie Scheffler, I’d have been too embarrassed to hack my way around its hallowed greens.
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The Royal Marine Hotel in Brora has undergone a major refurbishmentCredit: HIGHLAND COAST HOTELS
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The sunlight beams in through the airy windowsCredit: HIGHLAND COAST HOTELS
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The Curing Yard proved an excellent place to dineCredit: HIGHLAND COAST HOTELS
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Brora beach is just a brief walk awayCredit: JONATHON MOAR
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Jonathon enjoyed a few drams at Clynelish DistilleryCredit: JONATHON MOAR
Instead I contented myself with watching better handicappers than me do justice to the Brora Golf Course designed by five times Open Champ James Braid (he also designed Gleneagles and Carnoustie, if you didn’t already know that!).
But this trip on one of the North Coast 500’s most spectacular spots wasn’t all a spectator sport — I had other things planned.
When the lovely staff at The Royal Marine Hotel heard I liked my whisky, before I knew it I had a packed itinerary of places to go.
Even before checking in, I had time for a first sample of this part of the country’s incredible whisky scene, at the Clynelish Distillery, the Highland home of Johnnie Walker – where you’ll meet the famous ‘striding man’. I can honestly say the flavour journey at Clynelish is the best experience I’ve had. It’s truly one of a kind.
Even my partner Eilidh, who has zero interest in whisky, loved it.
I won’t spoil the experience but what I will say is the unique first part of the Clynelish Flavour Journey is immersive, spellbinding and a piece of unexpected theatre.
After a tour, we tried some of Clynelish’s magnificent single malts and of course a bit of Johnnie Walker.
Then it was time to head to the hotel. What a setting — just a stone’s throw from the iconic Brora Golf Course, as well as the incredibly beautiful Brora beach.
Originally a grand country house, it’s now a luxury hotel that’s a jewel in the Highland Coast Hotels crown.
It exudes a sense of true Highland charm and luxury and is the ideal place for a cosy autumnal evening after a day of NC500 exploring.
Our suite had all the same elegance and charm — and then some. A personalised newspaper-style printout with local info was a lovely touch. The Arran Sense of Scotland toiletries in the en-suite elicited whoops of joy from Eilidh.
It also had stunning views of the river, the nod to the area’s marine history in the tilework around the fireplace didn’t go unnoticed and the bed was outrageously comfy.
The hotel’s modern Curing Yard restaurant menu delivers fantastic locally sourced produce.
The crab stack seemed a perfect option. The beautifully fresh dish set me up for my main of perfectly cooked Sutherland venison, served with a delicious bramble jus.
A meal to remember was topped off by a delicious sticky toffee pud.
After dinner we met the general manager Billy McKechnie, from South Africa, who told us his ‘Scottish twin brother’ would be making a special appearance at breakfast next morning.
We were intrigued.
We popped into the hotel’s bar for a quick night cap and after a fantastic night’s sleep, it was down to breakfast to find out what Billy had in store for us.
Just as I was tucking in to my delicious Highland Plate fry-up, the sound of bagpipes filled the air and we were greeted by manager Billy – sorry, his ‘twin’ — in full Highland dress blasting away.
What a fab touch!
A stroll down to the beach followed, then a quick drive to Royal Dornoch, before heading to the spectacular Dunrobin Castle.
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Just over an hour in the car took us to John O’Groats and Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of the mainland, where this whisky lover just couldn’t miss the new kid on the dram block in — 8 Doors Distillery, opened by King Charles last year.
Wolfburn, Old Pulteney and Glenmorangie distilleries are all within easy reach too, but they’ll have to wait for my return — sans golf clubs of course.
GO: BRORA
GO: ROYAL MARINE HOTEL, BRORA
ONE night B&B for two sharing a double room starts from £99 this winter. The Royal Marine Hotel is a member of the Highland Coast Hotels Collection that owns seven venues on the NC500. See highlandcoasthotels.com for more.
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Hotel manager Billy delighted guests by playing the bagpipes at breakfastCredit: JONATHON MOAR
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The hotel is almost right on the first tee of Brora Golf CourseCredit: HIGHLAND COAST HOTELS
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The weather didn’t dampen Jonathon’s visit to Clynelish distilleryCredit: JONATHON MOAR
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You can get creative during their exceptional Flavour Journey experienceCredit: JONATHON MOAR
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Clynelish is the Highland home of Johnnie WalkerCredit: JONATHON MOAR
