Murcar at Murcar Links Golf Club

Murcar Links occupies a stretch of linksland north of Aberdeen, set between the North Sea and the River Don estuary in the Bridge of Don area. The course was originally laid out by Archie Simpson in 1909, with modifications by James Braid in the 1930s that shaped much of the routing golfers play today. The land features classic duneland topography—rolling fairways, natural ridges, and pockets of gorse—with views across the coastline and toward the city to the south.

The layout runs out and back along the shore, with several holes playing directly beside the beach and others turning inland through more sheltered terrain. The opening stretch moves north through relatively open ground before reaching the far end of the property, where the dunes become more pronounced. The inward nine returns through varied elevation and tighter corridors, with the closing holes offering a stern test in typical coastal wind. Braid's influence is evident in the strategic bunkering and green complexes that reward careful placement over distance.

Murcar has hosted regional amateur competitions and qualifiers over the decades, serving as a respected venue within Scottish golf. The club maintains a traditional membership culture, and the course is known locally for its firm, fast-running conditions and the challenge it presents in wind. It sits in close proximity to Royal Aberdeen, sharing similar linksland character but offering a distinct routing and a quieter, more understated atmosphere.