Royal Dornoch Golf Club

Royal Dornoch Golf Club sits right on the edge of the Dornoch Firth, and even if you're not swinging a club, the setting alone makes the walk worthwhile. This is proper links golf - the sort of place where the wind whips off the water and the fairways roll through rough coastal grass that's been there for centuries.

The club dates back to 1877, which makes it one of Scotland's oldest, and it genuinely feels that way in the best possible manner. The course itself is taken seriously by golfers worldwide, but the real draw for non-players is simply being here. The first few holes play right along the shoreline, and you can wander the perimeter or grab a drink in the clubhouse and watch members battle the elements.

If you're staying at Dornoch Caravan & Camping Park - barely a five-minute stroll away - this is the sort of place to pop over to on an afternoon when the weather's decent. Families with young children won't find much to do beyond a walk and a look, but keen golfers and landscape enthusiasts will get proper value from an hour wandering the grounds. The nearby Parkdean Resorts site at Grannie's Heilan' Hame is about two miles off if you fancy somewhere larger.

Access to the grounds isn't straightforward for casual visitors - you'll want to ring ahead or check their website before turning up. But if you're in Dornoch for a few days, it's the sort of landmark that gives the town real character, and the coastal views across the firth are genuinely excellent.