The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle is an exclusive private members club located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. There, in a Scottish-Baronial sandstone castle nestled amongst the estate’s 8,000 acres of gardens, woodlands and moors, members enjoy what Andrew Carnegie (the castle’s most famous proprietor) rightly termed ‘Heaven on Earth’. The Carnegie Links, a 6,833 yard championship course, is the jewel in Skibo’s glittering crown. Traditionally the reserve of the club’s members, limited tee times are now available to non-members.
Forget everything you know about golf - at Skibo it is all about the experience. From the empty fairways to the bacon sandwiches and boozy hot chocolate from the snack cart, the half-way house fully stocked with refreshments to lunch in the Skibo Clubhouse, this is a day out like no other. One of the world’s most magnificent courses with fewer than 4,000 rounds played annually and an expert team of greenkeepers on hand, the links is immaculately maintained.
After your round, retire to the Skibo Clubhouse which is characterised by its relaxed but elegant style. Inside you will find the locker rooms (where you can expect a personalised locker to await you on arrival) and golf steward’s office, as well as the Skibo Shop and the Clubhouse bar and dining area.
The Skibo Shop has floor to ceiling windows allowing light to flood this airy space and offers views over the Carnegie Links and breathtaking Highland landscape beyond. While stocking everything from luxury cashmere to cuddly toys to the club’s own blend of whisky, the premium sportswear on offer has all been selected by Skibo’s team of expert golf pros, ensuring that the range on offer is both stylish and practical. With clothing, footwear and golf accessories from brands including Galvin Green, Peter Millar, Ralph Lauren, Kjus, Under Armour and Links & Kings, the Skibo Shop stocks everything a golfer could need.
Elsewhere in the Clubhouse, you will find the bar and dining area. With seating both inside the immaculately furnished Clubhouse and outside on the terrace, and with views over the Carnegie Links and Dornoch Firth, there are few more beautiful spots to relax with a drink after a round on the outstanding course. Lunch is served in the Clubhouse and whatever your tastes there is something on the menuto whet your appetite. There’s a chilled ice bar, filled with dishes that might include lobster cocktail, British charcuterie, Peruvian ceviche and oysters served in the shell, as well as a selection of seasonal salads. There are also hot dishes on offer, with classic fare like the Skibo burger which is handmade in-house from three cuts of prime angus meat (chuck, brisket and short rib) for a splendidly juicy and flavoursome experience, the beer battered fish and chips made using fish landed that morning at Scrabster, or pizzas fired to order in the wood-burning Marana Forni oven. You can also expect specials that might include dukkha crusted Moroccan lamb shoulder with harissa yogurt and bulgur wheat salad, chargrilled squid with roast chickpeas and romesco sauce, or charred flatiron steak served with celeriac lyonnaise, crispy onions and watercress salad. Lunch is then finished off (if you have room!) with delicious desserts like sticky toffee pudding or chocolate mousse with caramelised orange, all accompanied by home-made ice cream and sorbet.
A round on the Carnegie Links and visit to the Skibo Clubhouse is - without doubt - a golfing experience never to be forgotten. The cost for this exclusive golfing experience is £300 per head which includes use of a locker for the day, access to the practice facilities, half-way house, three-course lunch at the clubhouse (excluding alcohol) and a gift bag to take away. To find out more, or to book your round, please contact the team at the Skibo Clubhouse by telephoning 01862 894660 or email teetimes@carnegieclub.co.uk.
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First left after Dornoch Bridge signposted "Meikle Ferry (No Ferry)".