Brora Golf Club Webcam – Watch Braid’s Highland Links

The Brora Golf Club Webcam looks over the James Braid links on the east coast of Sutherland, in the Scottish Highlands, where the fairways run right beside the North Sea. The main camera faces up the course from beside the clubhouse, across a sloping fairway and a sand bunker to the open water, with hills rising beyond the far shore of the bay. A second camera sits under the clubhouse canopy and looks across the terrace and a green to the dunes and the sea horizon. Golfers pass through with bags and trolleys during the day, and the links are shared with grazing sheep and cattle, which is why every green has an electric fence around it. The light changes fast on this coast, with bright spells and showers chasing each other in off the sea.

About Brora Golf Club

Brora Golf Club was founded in 1891 as a nine-hole course on farmland overlooking the North Sea, and it grew to 18 holes in 1900. In January 1923 James Braid came north by train, walked the course, chose new sites for tees and greens, and left on the next train south. The club says the layout of what was then called Braid’s Plan is hardly altered today. Brora is also the headquarters of the James Braid Golfing Society, which meets here every year to play it.

From the white tees the course measures 5,679 meters (6,211 yards) to a par of 70. The outward nine follows the curve of Kintradwell Bay, and Kintradwell itself lies about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) up the coast from the clubhouse. The inward nine comes back along the fence line of the neighboring croft land, with the railway close by from the 10th tee. The round ends on a par 3 of 184 meters (201 yards) to a bunkered green, played in full view of the clubhouse windows.

The clubhouse stands at the southwestern end of the links, about 200 meters (220 yards) from the small harbour in Lower Brora, and both cameras look out from there. Cattle and sheep roam the course, and the electric fences around the putting surfaces keep them off the greens, so a wandering ewe in frame is part of the normal scene rather than a surprise.

Weather and Climate in Brora

Brora sits at about 58 degrees north, yet the sea keeps its climate cool rather than harsh. January afternoons average about 6 C (43 F), with nights near 2 C (36 F). Spring warms slowly, and April highs only reach about 10 C (50 F). July brings highs around 17 C (63 F) and lows near 12 C (53 F), while October still manages about 12 C (54 F) by day and 8 C (46 F) at night. On the camera that means bright green fairways and blue water on clear summer days, and grey seas with low cloud over the hills when a front comes through.

Daylight swings hugely at this latitude. Around the June solstice the sun is up for about 17 and a half hours, sets after 10 pm, and the sky never gets fully dark on a clear night, so golfers can still be out late in the evening. In late December the day lasts just under six hours, the sun climbs less than 9 degrees above the horizon at midday, and the picture fades soon after 3 pm. The cameras keep streaming overnight, but there is little to see on the links after dark.

Things to Do Near Brora

Brora Beach runs beside the harbour, a short walk from the clubhouse, and seabirds and seals are often seen along it. Clynelish Distillery, less than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the clubhouse, has made whisky since the early 1800s and runs guided tours with tastings. In the village, Brora Heritage Centre tells the story of the village’s whisky, coal and woollen industries.

South along the A9, the Iron Age broch of Carn Liath stands beside the road about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Brora, and Dunrobin Castle and its gardens, which put on falconry displays, are about 11 kilometers (7 miles) away by road outside Golspie. Above Golspie, the walk up Ben Bhraggie is about 11 kilometers (7 miles) there and back. Inland, Loch Brora fills a valley about 7 kilometers (4 miles) northwest of the village and is a quiet spot for paddleboarding. Golfers touring the Highlands often pair a round here with Royal Dornoch, about 32 kilometers (20 miles) to the south.

Similar Webcams You Might Like

For more golf courses and Highland views, try these cameras next.

• Innerleithen Webcam
• Victoria Golf Club Webcam
• Ullapool Webcam

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Brora Golf Club located?

Brora Golf Club is in the village of Brora on the east coast of Sutherland, in the Highland council area of Scotland. The clubhouse stands near the harbour at the southwestern end of the links, and Royal Dornoch is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) to the south.

What can you see on the Brora Golf Club Webcam?

The main camera looks up the links from the clubhouse over a sloping fairway and a bunker to the North Sea, with hills beyond the bay. The second camera looks from under the clubhouse canopy across the terrace and a green to the dunes and the sea horizon.

What is the weather like in Brora?

Brora has a cool maritime climate. Typical highs run from about 6 C (43 F) in January to 17 C (63 F) in July, and nights in winter stay close to 2 C (36 F). Conditions can change several times in a day as showers move in off the sea.

Who designed Brora Golf Club?

James Braid laid out the present course in 1923, walking the existing links and choosing new tees and greens in a single visit. The club says his plan is hardly altered, and Brora is the headquarters of the James Braid Golfing Society.

Why are there electric fences around the greens at Brora?

Sheep and cattle graze the links, so electric fences surround each putting surface to keep the animals off the greens.

What par is Brora Golf Club?

Brora is a par 70 of 5,679 meters (6,211 yards) from the white tees. It finishes with a par 3 of 184 meters (201 yards) to a bunkered green in front of the clubhouse.

When is the best time to watch the Brora Golf Club Webcam?

Late spring and summer give the longest views, with daylight from early morning until after 10 pm around June. In midwinter the sun is up for under six hours and stays low, so the late morning and early afternoon show the course best.

Source: Brora Golf Club