Macdonald Aviemore Resort (Spey Valley Course)

A Highland moorland course beside the Spey, framed by Cairngorm peaks.

THE HIGHLANDS Location
MOORLAND Course type
18 Holes
72 Par

Beyond the Scorecard

Course established: 2006
Course designer/s:Dave Thomas
National ranking: #73
Known for: Scotland's 635-yard par-five fifth hole
Defining feature: River Spey and Cairngorm mountain setting

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.

Why Add This Course to Your Golf Experience

Spey Valley brings tournament pedigree to a Kinfern golf experience without repeating the feel of Scotland's coastal links. The course hosted the European Challenge Tour's Scottish Hydro Challenge from 2009 to 2018, proving its ability to test strong players over a full week.

Its Aviemore setting also fits naturally into a Highland route. Kinfern can pair it with the nearby Boat of Garten, then continue north towards Nairn or Royal Dornoch, giving the itinerary a clear inland chapter before the coast returns.