Macdonald Aviemore Resort (Spey Valley Course)

Beside the Spey, Beneath the Cairngorms

The Spey Valley golf course at Macdonald Aviemore Resort opened in summer 2006, with Dave Thomas shaping a moorland layout through the Spey Valley. Its old-fashioned out-and-back routing follows ground beside the River Spey within the Cairngorms National Park.

Open fairways are broken by heather, gorse, isolated trees, and regular water hazards. Elevated tees reveal broad landing areas, while Thomas's bunkering tightens the preferred line and guards the large, subtly contoured greens.

The 635-yard par-five 5th is one of Scotland's longest holes and gives the course its clearest statement of scale. One hole later, the 6th crosses a lake used by nesting birds before the route continues through Caledonian pine woodland.

Later, the par-four 16th asks for a long, accurate drive over water, with purple heather waiting beyond the safe line. The 18th finishes beneath the mountain backdrop, where two bunkers were shaped to echo the corries above Aviemore.