Course Guide

Named after the vista from the fairway presenting a full view of Franey Mountain, which you’ll be standing at the base of after the first nine holes. This first hole is a steady opening climb that immediately introduces the scale of Highlands Links. The uphill fairway plays longer than the card, with a generous landing area that narrows toward an elevated green. Favour position off the tee, as approaches from the wrong angle will contend with both slope and added distance.

The name of a Scot’s bonnet. In this case, the shape of the green is the reason for this title. A gentler downhill transition that begins to establish the course's rhythm. The fairway bends subtly, encouraging a shaped tee shot to set up a clear approach. Misses are manageable, but positioning remains important to hold the green.

The first true sense of isolation. Set against a quiet backdrop, this hole demands precision against a well-guarded green. Club selection matters, as wind and elevation can influence the shot more than expected. A lochan is the word for the small sheet of water or miniature lake you’ll need to carry with your tee shot.

Otherwise known as a ‘Heap of Trouble’, this short par four is shaped entirely by the natural terrain. The elevated green sits on a pedestal surrounded by steep fall-offs and bunkering. An aggressive play from the tee can bring the green into reach, but any miss leaves a difficult recovery. A more measured approach leaves a wedge into a challenging target. The hole highlights Thompson’s use of elevation to create risk-and-reward decisions.

Named by Stanley Thompson during the original routing, this hole reflects his creative use of the natural landscape. The tee shot requires a canny slap (good hit) and invites a thoughtful iron shot toward the left hillside, where a well-judged shot can use the slope to feed the ball toward certain left-hole locations. The design rewards imagination and an understanding of how the ground can be used to your advantage.

Legend has it that Mucklemouth Meg is the Celtic nickname for a Scottish lass with a mouth wide enough to swallow a turkey’s egg. This is a standout par five that begins with a demanding carry over wetlands to a narrow fairway. A successful drive opens up the hole, while a miss left or right quickly brings trouble into play. The remainder of the hole plays more level toward a narrow green protected by bunkers, rewarding those who manage risk early.

A Killiecrankie is a long and narrow pass, notorious in reputation, just like this long and exacting par five that is played through dense forest and known as Canada’s finest three-shot hole. The fairway is narrow and uneven, making it difficult to position from the start. Even well-played shots can leave a demanding uphill approach to a tightly set green. This is one of the course’s most difficult and complete tests, and walking away with a par is a good result.

Named after the Scottish sport, this hole mirrors the motion of a caber toss with a distinct up-and-over sequence. The tee shot plays to the crest of the hill, and reaching or carrying it is key. In the right conditions, a well-struck drive that clears the top can release and roll down the fairway toward the green. A shorter tee shot that finishes at the crest leaves a spectacular view of the Highlands and a memorable wedge shot played against a backdrop of trees. Feeling creative? Test your skill by landing a bump and run approach shot 25 yards shy of the green and watch as the terrain takes the ball toward the target.

A corbie is a crow, and its nest is on high ground. This shorter par 4 requires two precise shots. The dogleg right and green placement make an interesting combination. The flag is blind from the right side of the fairway, with a shorter shot in, while the green is visible from the left side of the fairway, but a longer approach shot.

A short yet beautiful par three that plays downhill to a circular green surrounded by bunkers shaped like donkey’s ears, also known as “Cuddy’s Lugs”. Take wind and pin placement into account, as proper club selection is key to making the most of this hole.

Your drive will cross the “Bonnie Burn”, a pleasant, meandering stream. This long hole plays straightaway and is one of the flattest on the course, with an increasingly narrowing fairway. The green slopes from back to front, making approach shots difficult to control.

A “cleugh” is a deep gully or ravine with precipitous sides, much like this demanding par three. Multiple ponds need to be navigated as well as the river running parallel to the left side of this hole. The green is narrow and undulating, with trouble on the left. A well-struck shot is required to find the surface and hold position. Short is the best miss.

One of the stronger par fours at Highlands Links and a magnificent example of Stanley Thompson using the hills and natural landscape to shape a hole. This hole features dramatic movement with a fairway that kicks balls hard right-to-left. Locals know that landing the ball short will send it forward onto the green. This is the only green that isn’t an original Stanley Thompson green, as it needed to be raised due to severe flooding and icing.

A haugh is a small hollow, or sometimes a valley, and this bunkerless fourteenth hole highlights the rolling hills and valleys of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Dense woods line both sides of the fairway. This hole often plays much longer than the yardage indicates.

This dramatic par five that returns toward the ocean is a favourite for many golfers. The hole plays downhill through rolling terrain, with a fairway that twists and rolls through the Highlands with very few even lies. The approach reveals a striking view of Whale Island in the distance. The green is guarded on both sides by deep bunkers. Tattie Bogle is a spectacular hole and one of the most memorable on the course.

Sair Fecht means hard work, and is an apt description for this par five that plays severely uphill the entire way. The last of the bunkerless holes, Stanley Thompson’s design will make you consider your approach from the tee. The left side lengthens the hole but has a higher chance of a flat lie, while playing to the right side of the fairway leaves you at the mercy of the rolling hills and bumps. The green features a false front protected by an embankment and longer rough; carrying it is a tall task, but leaves a greater chance at a four. Landing short may require a blind recovery shot from an awkward stance and brings big numbers into play. Be sure to take a moment to look back from the green towards the tee box for a spectacular view of the Highlands, and note how Stanley Thompson’s design matches the hills of the fairway to the outline of the Highlands in the distance.

A strong par three played slightly downhill to a shallow green. Bunkers guard key areas, and the contours of the green can influence ball movement significantly once on the surface. Distance control and accuracy is essential to avoid difficult recovery shots.

Hame Noo is “home now” for this closing par four that returns toward the ocean and the clubhouse. A straightaway par four with a relatively flat fairway and only a few bunkers to take into consideration. The challenge arrives at the slightly elevated green, guarded by bunkers short and left, with significant undulations and swales that make ending your round with a one-putt easier said than done.