The Carnegie Golf Club at Skibo Castle

Carnegie Links occupies a historic estate setting near Dornoch in the Scottish Highlands, designed by Donald Steel and opened in 1995 on the grounds of Skibo Castle. The course was developed as part of the Carnegie Club, a private members' retreat named for Andrew Carnegie, who purchased the castle in 1898 and made it his summer residence. Steel's routing takes advantage of the natural topography along the Dornoch Firth, incorporating the rolling terrain and mature woodland that characterize the estate landscape. The design reflects Steel's approach to parkland golf in a links-influenced environment, with fairways that move through a mix of open ground and tree-lined corridors. The course sits inland from the true linksland of Royal Dornoch, located just a few miles away, but shares views across the firth and benefits from the coastal climate of the region. The layout features strategic bunkering and undulating greens that require careful approach play, with several holes playing along elevated ground that provides perspective over the surrounding Highlands. The Carnegie Club operates as an exclusive private membership with accommodations in Skibo Castle itself, maintaining traditions of privacy and a house-party atmosphere that date to the Carnegie era. The club limits daily play and emphasizes a retreat experience that combines golf with the historic castle setting. Access remains restricted to members and their guests, preserving the secluded character that has defined the property since its establishment as a sporting estate.