Boat of Garten Golf & Tennis Club

The clubhouse sits right on the edge of Boat of Garten, a village that feels genuinely tucked away in the Cairngorms despite being only a short drive from Aviemore. The golf course itself is the real draw here - a proper Highland layout that doesn't try to be fancy but commands respect from anyone who plays it. Heathery rough, birch trees framing the fairways, and views that stretch toward the mountains.

If golf's your thing, this is worth a detour. The course has character in spades, the kind that rewards local knowledge and punishes a loose swing in equal measure. Non-golfers won't find much to do on the grounds themselves, though the village has a nice railway station and a few decent spots for a walk or a meal. The tennis facilities exist but they're secondary to the golf operation.

You'll want to book ahead if you're hoping to play. Green fees are modest compared to the serious courses further south, which makes it popular with folk staying at Highland Glen Holiday Park just down the road - that's a four-mile hop away and plenty of visitors use it as a base for exploring the area. Allow a full morning or afternoon if you're playing eighteen holes. The weather up here can turn quickly, so pack accordingly. It's proper Highlands golf, not manicured and sanitised - that's precisely what makes it worth the visit.