Moray Old Course

Located in the Scottish town of Lossiemouth, The Old Course at Moray Golf Club has been known as one of Scotland’s finest links courses, and a hidden gem nestled along the breathtaking coastline of the Moray Firth. With beautiful surroundings and favourable weather conditions, it’s no surprise that golfers have been playing here every day of the year – including Old Tom himself, who frequently played the course in the early days after he designed it.

Course Overview

Course design

The Old Course at Moray features deep revetted bunkers, rolling fairways and smooth, fast greens, all maintained to championship standards. With gorse lining the fairways, this is a challenging, yet exhilarating round for any golfer.

Starting at the tranquil Moray Firth shoreline, the first 8 holes head west taking you further inland towards the Lossiemouth RAF base. On the 11th hole, you’ll be treated to full view of Covesea Lighthouse. The back 9 at Moray Old offers a stretch of strong, dramatic classic links holes,   

The final hole is, without a doubt, a case of saving the best till last. Playing up the hill towards the clubhouse. With bunkers on the left and out of bounds on the right finding the fairway off the tee is crucial if you want to make a par. You’re next challenge is long approach shot to an elevated green and anything coming up short will be suitably punished. 

Overall, The Old Course is a truly spectacular round of golf in this charming coastal town, marked by the exhilaration of RAF jets flying overhead and dramatic coastal views.

Club history

Founded in 1889, The Old Course was designed and laid out by the legendary Old Tom Morris, who went on to become a regular visitor and played a number of exhibition matches in the early years of the club’s formation.

Moray has a history of being associated with local whisky distillers. Glen Grant provided the first club malt until 1992 when Macallan took over. Today, the club malt is provided by the Glen Moray distillery. 

Regional history

Lossiemouth was initially developed from several old fishing villages to provide a nearby port for the town of Elgin in the 15th century. In the 1800s, Lossiemouth went through a series of major developments, with a harbour, railway station, yachting marina becoming core features of the town for the years that followed.

Today, Lossiemouth is still known for being a fishing port and holiday resort within the Moray county of Scotland. Visitors and locals can enjoy the two outstanding beaches which overlook the Moray Firth and Covesea Lighthouse. One of Lossiemouth’s defining features is the RAF base which opened in 1939, and is home to many squadrons of Typhoon fighter aircraft and Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which can often be heard overhead during their frequent training drills.

Local hospitality and retail

Where to stay

Nestled along the River Lossie you’ll find the exquisite Mansion House Hotel, with its stunning grounds, luxurious suites and prime location on the famous ‘whisky trail’. With Moray Golf Club just a 10 minute drive away, this is ideal for those looking to make the most of their days on Moray Old Course.

If you are happy to take an even more scenic route to the golf course, Blervie House is a half hour drive away, set within the beautiful Speyside. As the only 5 star accommodation in the area, the stately suites and pristine surroundings offer a peaceful setting to call your home away from home.

Another outstanding hotel the Moray area has to offer is the delightful Cluny Bank Hotel. As a Victorian Mansion of deluxe rooms, this beautiful hotel combines comfort and grandeur for an unforgettable stay in the North of Scotland.

Where to eat

As a coastal town, Lossiemouth is known for its delicious seafood. The Seafood Restaurant & Grill serves some of the finest local produce for an authentic taste of the Moray coast. To enjoy some British and Scottish classics, The Salt Cellar – located below the town’s popular Bridge 45 Restaurant iis home to many favourites, complemented by beautiful views over the harbour.

Another firm favourite is Harbour Lights, where you can enjoy a peaceful coffee and brunch overlooking the marina, or a boozy tipple from their extensive wine, gin and cocktail menu. For a little slice of Italy, Guidi’s Pizzeria & Ice Cream Parlour is the perfect pitstop, while Shah Curry House offers a fantastic range of Indian food, and has become a household name in Lossiemouth. 

Where to shop

Aside from the fantastic golfing opportunities, Lossiemouth is home to a number of charming local shops and excellent distilleries waiting to be discovered on your trip to the Moray coast. Harbour Treasures is a delightful gift shop on the harbour front, with a variety of lovely and unique items to help you remember your trip. 

The Moray coast is also famous for its incredible whiskies, with the area being home to more than half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries. Discover the iconic Malt Whisky Trail, or the many additional distilleries the area has to offer, from Glenrothes to Glen Elgin, and Avva Scottish Gin.

Iconic landmarks

Over the years, Lossiemouth has become well known as a tourist destination thanks to its rich history and coastal attractions. For a day at the town’s beautiful beaches, check out the Dolphin watching boat tours and new wave surf school for a coastal adventure, or simply take a leisurely stroll along the sand to the Covesea Lighthouse.

If you’re looking to soak up some of the area’s fascinating history, Spynie Palace is a must, as it holds the title of Scotland’s largest surviving medieval bishop’s house, having been the residence of the bishops of Moray for 500 years. Other iconic historical landmarks include the fortress-residence of Duffus Castle and Sculptor’s cave, hidden below the tall cliffs along the coastline.

The best photo spots

• Lossiemouth beach front
• East beach
• Spynie Palace
• Duffus Castle
• Corsea Lighthouse
• Loch Spynie
• Sculptors Cave

Our top tips for playing this course

• Watch out for the gorse
• Look out for RAF planes overhead
• Enjoy the classic Old Tom Morris undulations
• Enjoy a dram outside the clubhouse overlooking the Moray Firth

Watch Stephen Proctor’s Moray Dispatch here