HSBC REGIONAL COURSE RANKINGS SILVER AWARD WINNER 2006 

The secluded setting for this dramatic 6,063-yard, par 70 course means the only sound you hear is often the lone cry of a buzzard soaring high above the course. Below, nestled in the foothills of the Grampians, the Laird’s Course epitomizes golf in the north east of Scotland with tree-lined fairways, secluded greens and the ubiquitous Royal Deeside scenery combining to create a truly memorable playing experience.

Set across a number of tranquil glens, the course is spine-tinglingly peaceful despite being a true golfing test due to the vision of acclaimed Scottish golf architect Graeme Webster. From the first tee, for example, the Laird’s credentials are immediately apparent. “Queen’s Drive” is a 284-yard par four that is full of charm and mischief. To the left of the sloping manicured fairway, native woodland conceals a small lochan discreetly positioned next to the green to welcome any wayward shots.

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• 4th and 5th holes
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Similarly, “Massie’s Well” - the Laird’s sixth hole - can be distractingly beautiful and captivatingly tricky. Guarded by a granite outcrop, the par four’s fairway narrows as it approaches the long and subtly undulating green. Once again trees accompany the fairway on either side creating an intimate, theatrical backdrop. This cracking hole is followed by one of Scotland’s most dramatic golfing challenges. “Craiglea”, a 496-yard par five, sweeps down towards an inviting two-tier green. The apex of the fairway provides stunning views across Royal Deeside and down towards the natural amphitheatre created by the tree-encircled green. On clear days, the imposing Lochnagar mountain can be seen towering above the foreground foothills. Prince Charles himself was so inspired by Lochnagar that he wrote a now famous children’s story based on the mountain. 

“You can stand and wait for your partner to play and you look out over some splendid scenery,” says Graeme. “I could quickly see it was going to be one of these therapeutic courses where it’s a great feeling just walking round.”

Opened in 2001 by then chairman and co-founder of Inchmarlo Robert C Massie, the Laird’s course has become one of the preeminent Scottish parkland golf courses following the tradition of creating awe-inspiring holes and true golfing challenges.

In 2006, the maturity of the Laird's Course was recognised with an HSBC Regional Course Rankings Silver Award.