Traigh-umphant, 9 holes

You will feel like the Lord of the Isles up here, or at least the summer isles.  Are there any better settings for a golf course?  Finding myself there at the height of the summer ‘over the sea from Skye’ it is a happy mixture of silver strands, achingly blue seas and islands and mountains rising in the distance.  Swimmers, walkers, campers and golfers compete on the roads to find their idyllic spot.  Mine is here beside the white washed cottage that serves as the clubhouse enjoying the evening light and the anticipation of a cracking round.

Many dislike starting a round with a par 3 as it can be slow but you are unlikely to find a crush here despite my needing the full 179 seconds to locate my ball.  It is a steepler of a par 3 straight up the hill and a difficult one to club first time.  On the other hand you latch onto the magnificent views at once.

The second tee sets you off down, around and up a long dogleg to a hidden green.  Then switchback down to the sea again on another of the four challenging par 3s.  All very different some requiring judgement of roll as much as flight.  Steeply up, steeply down.  A damn good test.

Back up the hill, a stern walk to a green where the greenkeeper needs to be kind to the player so severe is the slope and is cut according to the weather!  Then perhaps the signature par 3, or just the most photographed; over the river, crossing by the bridge.  Knock it on the green and just take your putter and a wood for the inevitable drive back up the hill to save your legs.

The next couple of holes run along the eastern boundary below the coastal ridge on lusher grass, protected from the sea breezes, as they like to call them here.  The last tee breasts that ridge for a last look at the isles.  A longer shot to a green beside the white wicket gate with a sunset that warms the forearms and the cleanest air you will breathe.  One last heave-ho.  Heavenly golf.  This takes seaside/holiday golf to another plane.  True links.

Many thanks for asking us to pay our green fee to Alzheimer’s Society