Stand on the first tee at [[page-3192574|Brora]] on a bright September morning with the wind off the Moray Firth, and you're stepping into a line of footprints laid down more than 150 years ago.

This piece by John Patrick Herold traces how golf's legends built our local turf:

• Old Tom Morris: In 1886, he came north to Royal Dornoch to extend the course to 18 holes alongside John Sutherland, laying the bones of its famous raised greens.
• James Braid: In 1924, the five-time Open Champion redesigned Brora's 18-hole links for just £25. His routing still stands, featuring crowned greens and electric fences to keep the sheep off the putting surfaces. He also left his mark at Boat of Garten.
• The 1906 Match: Braid faced his great rival Harry Vardon in a legendary match at Dornoch, cementing the Highlands' reputation.
• The Champions: Peter Thomson called Brora 'the most natural links course in the world' in 1995, and Tom Watson remains an honorary member. Modern stars like Sandy Lyle, Catriona Matthew, and Bob MacIntyre keep this rich legacy alive.

Plan your trip to play Dornoch and Brora back-to-back, top it off with a dram at Clynelish in brora-village, and follow us on Instagram!