Taymouth Castle Golf Club in Perthshire, Scotland

The original 12 holes of Taymouth Castle Golf Club comprise a 1923 James Braid design, to which six more holes were added in the 1940s. The 6,066-yard, par-69 golf course plays uphill, away from the castle on the front nine, and then careens back down toward the castle on the back nine. On the tee box of the dramatic downhill 383-yard eighth hole, players are even treated to a view of nearby Loch Tay. And practically the entire back nine offers up progressively more majestic views of the castle itself, where Her Majesty the Queen (Victoria, that is) once slept.

In fact, beginning at the drive onto the Taymouth Castle Golf Club grounds through the stone gate, and continuing throughout your stroll over the links, you half expect to see a foxhunt cut in front of you, or perhaps a princess dancing through the trees, serenading a collection of frolicking birds, rabbits and deer.

Taymouth Castle Golf Club

Beginning at the tenth hole, golfers are treated to views of Taymouth Castle throughout the back nine.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 10

"Snas Mohr", the 182-yard 10th hole at Taymouth Castle Golf Course, presents a devilish club selection.

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Taymouth Castle

Taymouth Castle dwarfs the golf course clubhouse, seen here to the right of the castle.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 12

The best view of Taymouth Castle is on the 12th fairway.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 13

The tees of the 298-yard 13th hole offer distractions aplenty: the picturesque castle and squawking pheasants.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 15

The 15th green is one of the most challenging at Taymouth Castle Golf Course.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 18

On the 18th fairway, it's hard to decide if the castle or the wildflowers are more beautiful.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Course in Perthshire

Sometimes it's hard to keep your mind on your game at Taymouth Castle Golf Course.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Course in the Scottish Highlands

Taymouth Castle Golf Course is a majestic inland course in the Scottish Highlands

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 1

If you try to drive the 296-yard first hole at Taymouth Castle, be prepared for a delicate bunker shot if you go just a little left.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole one

The 296-yard first at Taymouth Castle plays away from the namesake castle toward a sttep hillside of dense forest, which is spectacular in autumn.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 2

The shallow, wide green at the 304-yard second hole is guarded by thick woods left, and a puzzling fence.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 4

The large green of the 170-yard fourth is a happy landing place, if you can avoid the pond.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole four

Your tee shot at the 170-yard fourth must avoid the pond and negotiate a rather awkward angle into the green.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 7

The 283-yard seventh is driveable, but the green is very narrow. It also presents a view of Ben Lawers in the distance.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 8

The elevated tees of the 383-yard eighth hole at Taymouth Castle serves up a nice view of Loch Tay, Ben Lawers, and, oh yes, the verdant fairway far below.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - hole 16

The creamery behind the 16th green was built to entice Queen Victoria to visit in 1801. Apparently she was fond of her dairy products.

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Taymouth Castle G.C. in the Scottish Highlands

As soon as you enter the Taymouth Castle Golf Course grounds, you feel like you're stepping into a storybook.

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Taymouth Castle Golf Club - oystercatchers

A pair of protected oystercatchers nest in the left greenside bunker on the 10 hole at Taymouth Castle Golf Club.

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