Having been born and raised in Scotland, Lorna and I have made a pledge to visit more of the country’s attractions. We have always tended to look at foreign vacations first (for sunshine reasons mainly) but the older we get the more we feel a desire to learn more about our homeland.
Scotland has so much to offer, from historic sites to breath-taking landscapes. There are loads of opportunities to discover the charm of the Scottish Highlands, islands, and cities. We hope to have some truly meaningful and memorable adventures and if we can keep to a tighter budget than travelling further afield then that would be a bonus as we try to save money for our home renovation.
In April of this year we set off on what we are now calling the first adventure of our Wandering Scotland series, we explored Golspie, a quaint village in the Scottish Highlands that offers a unique blend of scenic beauty and historical significance.
The reason for specifically choosing Golspie for our Easter holidays was to visit Lorna’s friend from her time studying Architecture at Strathclyde University, Lois, and the rest of the Macmillan clan, husband Ruaraidh and 3 sons, Archie, Norrie and Charlie. Spending time with them, watching our daughters and their boys play was the icing on the cake in what was a fantastic and memorable few days.
Nearby, Embo.
On a budget, we chose to stay at a caravan park in Embo (Grannie's Heilan' Hame) so as not to disturb an already extremely busy Macmillan family household! Embo is about 20 minutes away from Golspie.
To give you an idea of the travel, Golspie is an hour from Inverness (and we had 2 service stoppages for the kids) so in total it took us over 6 hours to drive to Embo. When we arrived we dropped our stuff at the caravan and headed straight to the gorgeous Embo beach and we were there just in time to witness a terrific pink and purple skyline as you can see in the header image!
Golspie Itinerary.
The next morning we met up with the Macmillan’s and they had already thought up a few ideas for our trip.
We are going to highlight 3 stand out attractions we visited while in Golspie and the surrounding area: Dunrobin Castle, the Big Burn Walk, and Golspie Golf Club.
Before we begin though we must say the Macmillan’s ensured we ate well throughout with exceptional homemade food that included Pizzas from their own Pizza oven and we also had a beautiful lunch in Lairg – at ‘The Pier’. Lairg is about 20 minutes away!
Dunrobin Castle:
A Fairytale Come to Life
One of the most continuously inhabited castles in Scotland, Dunrobin Castle is a must-see for anyone visiting the area. Dating back to the 1300s, it has been home to the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland for centuries. Its breathtaking, fairytale-like appearance is marked by towering spires and a design influenced by French château-style architecture.
The castle of today was subject to extensive 19th-century renovations by Sir Charles Barry, the same architect behind the Houses of Parliament in London. These renovations introduced classic Scottish baronial elements like turrets and conical roofs, giving the castle its unique character.
Visitors are often drawn not only to the castle’s architecture but also to its formal gardens, which are modelled after the Palace of Versailles in France. With meticulous layouts and sea views, the gardens add a layer of tranquillity to the grandeur of the castle. We must admit our kids did find a way of stressing us out by running through the garden as they thought it was a maze to play in!
Dunrobin Castle’s history is rich— for example, did you know that during the Jacobite rising of 1745, it was repurposed as a naval hospital?!
Today, visitors can tour the castle, explore its gardens, and even enjoy falconry displays, making it a perfect blend of history and beauty.
Big Burn Walk:
A Journey Through Nature
For those who love the outdoors, the Big Burn Walk is a refreshing contrast to Golspie’s coastal charm. This woodland trail follows the Big Burn, a picturesque stream that winds through lush forests and rocky gorges. The path is well-maintained and relatively easy, making it accessible to both casual walkers and nature lovers seeking a peaceful retreat. Again, our kids did their best to test that outlook as their imaginations ran wild, climbing and running a bit too far each time. One of our daughters even stuck her head under a waterfall, soaking herself in the process.
As you stroll along the trail, you’ll encounter wooden bridges and steps that guide you through the heart of the forest, eventually leading to a dramatic waterfall, which serves as the walk’s main highlight. The sound of cascading water, combined with the peaceful surroundings, creates an almost magical experience.
The Big Burn Walk is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts too. Birdwatchers will find it an excellent spot to observe the local fauna, while plant lovers will appreciate the native flora that thrives along the trail.
Golspie Golf Club:
Where Tradition Meets Natural Beauty
For golf enthusiasts, Golspie Golf Club offers a real test in scenic surroundings. Established in 1889, this traditional links course boasts a unique combination of heathland, links, and parkland terrains. Its location along the Dornoch Firth provides stunning views over the water, with the imposing Ben Bhraggie mountain creating a dramatic backdrop.
Designed by renowned Scottish golfer and architect James Braid, Golspie Golf Club’s course is a testament to Scotland’s rich golfing history. Ironically, James Braid designed my (Neil) local course, Cathcart Castle Golf Club. Indeed, I have been affectionately named the Braid slayer by members there due to my fine play at Cathcart over the years.
The Golspie course challenges with a variety of terrains and weather conditions, particularly the wind coming off the sea. Despite these challenges, the scenic beauty does help to relieve the tension that can build as the scorecard becomes more of a calculator issue.
Golspie Golf Club has deep roots in the local community and reflects the country’s long-standing golfing traditions. There has been notable interest from developers in acquiring Golspie Golf Club. In 2018, a significant event unfolded when Mike Keiser, an American golf course developer known for creating world-class golf resorts like Bandon Dunes in Oregon, expressed interest in purchasing the club. Keiser’s plan was reportedly to expand and enhance the course, transforming it into a major golfing destination that would attract global visitors.
Keiser’s approach was part of a broader trend where developers seek to capitalise on Scotland’s golfing heritage by revitalising existing courses or creating new destinations. His reputation for building high-quality golf courses led to some local support, as it promised economic benefits through increased tourism.
However, the potential sale sparked a lot of debate within the Golspie community. Many local residents and club members feared that selling the club could lead to loss of local control, changes in membership fees, and possibly altering the course's historic character. Concerns about increased commercialisation and exclusivity also emerged.
Ultimately, the deal did not go through, and the club remained under the control of its members. The situation highlighted the balance between maintaining local traditions and the allure of commercial development in a globally renowned golfing location like Scotland.
This gets me to think of a larger narrative, about the preservation of local heritage versus the potential for modernisation and commercialisation. The Golspie Golf Club case of 2018 ties in themes of tradition, community values, and the tension between local identity and outside investment—the balance between progress and heritage.
You could argue that Golspie’s community safeguarded the club’s character and local spirit, emphasising the importance of keeping such spaces intact while still allowing them to thrive in today’s world. I definitely think there is scope for another blog article discussing architectural preservation and modernisation… note to self.
“While Neil was enjoying the Golf Course, the girls went to Dornoch to explore what delights it had to offer. Dornoch Beach was the first port of call where we grabbed some delicious cakes from the Highland Larder and enjoyed some sunshine on the beautiful beach where the kids searched for shells, splashed about in the surf and rolled down the sand dunes. After a play in the nearby playpark we headed into the picturesque town for an ice cream and a wander round the Dornoch Cathedral. Overall a delightful and wholesome day.”
Conclusion: Golspie’s Unique Charm Discovered
Golspie may be a small village, but its attraction to us was the beauty and the honesty of small town living. From the architectural grandeur of Dunrobin Castle to the natural beauty of the Big Burn Walk and the rich tradition of Golspie Golf Club.
Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a nature lover, or a golfer, Golspie and the surrounding area (20 minutes in the car seemed to be the distance to various places) has a unique way of capturing your heart.
Stay tuned for more adventures as we continue to wander and learn about our homeland, Scotland.
If you have any suggested places for us to visit we would love to hear as we look to make plans for 2025.