Highland Sojourn: Day 8: Nairn Golf Club

Had a good rest after yesterday’s long day on the river. The head cold is still hanging around but seems to be loosening its grip a bit. Thought about skipping golf altogether, but in the end decided to persevere.

It was a short one-minute drive over to the car park at Nairn Golf Club, where I checked in for a 10:40 tee time. I settled into the clubhouse with a cup of coffee and a plate of eggs Benedict for breakfast, then rolled a few putts on the practice green before heading to the first tee.

I was paired up with another single, James, a fellow from south of London. He was making a solo golf tour of the Highlands, sharpening his game ahead of a Ryder Cup–style match with his mates back home. At the turn we linked up with two Americans and carried on as a foursome for the back nine.

The course itself is historic and the sort of place most golfers dream about playing at least once. In many ways it reminded me of Royal Dornoch. Fine ground, no doubt about it, though I’m not entirely convinced the steep green fees live up to all the hype. Still, no regrets. On a breezy day I managed to post a respectable 79, which felt like a small victory.

After the round I made my way back to the hotel, grabbed some lunch, and spent the rest of the afternoon taking it easy—doing a bit of reading and catching up in the journal.