Cabot Purchases Castle Stuart Golf

Castle Stuart Golf Links is to be renamed following its acquisition by Canadian developers – Cabot with the property being rebranded as Cabot Highlands.

There are also plans to build a second course designed by acclaimed golf course architect Tom Doak. Planning for the course will begin in Autumn 2022 with construction planned to begin in 2023 and an estimated completion date in 2024.

Ben Cowan-Dewar, CEO and co-founder of Cabot, said: “Castle Stuart has been considered a benchmark of exceptional Scottish golf since it first opened 13 years ago. We are honoured to be a steward of the land and carry the original vision for the property forward. Our goal is to create unforgettable memories in magical places, and there are few places in the world more awe-inspiring than the Scottish Highlands.”

The planned Tom Doak course will play around Castle Stuart’s 400-year-old castle and will incorporate natural contours, meandering through hillsides and expansive open land with several holes along the water. Doak is best known for the design of Pacific Dunes in Oregon, The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, and the restoration of Alister MacKenzie's home course, Pasatiempo.

“I’m thrilled to partner with Ben Cowan-Dewar and the Cabot team,” said Doak. “We have been searching for the perfect destination for years. Our goal is to create a distinctly Scottish golf experience that appeals to players at all levels with an authentic links-style course that puts the golf holes front and centre.”

The property will feature houses and cottages, alongside new retail and restaurant areas. When owners are not in residence, their homes will be available as accommodation for visiting guests.

“I couldn’t think of a better partner than Cabot to lead our next chapter. The work that’s been done at Cabot Cape Breton on the courses and within the community speaks for itself, and I know our beloved founder, Mark Parsinen, would be proud of the plans ahead to fulfill his original vision for the destination,” said Stuart McColm, general manager of Castle Stuart and the forthcoming Cabot Highlands. “Not only is this significant golf news, it is also a major boost for the regional economy of the Highlands.”

Neil McInnes, Corporate Finance Partner at Grant Thornton in Scotland, said: “The acquisition of Castle Stuart by Cabot will bring significant investment and jobs to the local area, further boosting the North of Scotland’s visitor economy. Cabot is a world-class operator of high-quality resorts and we are delighted to have supported them on this transaction through our international network.” 

Cabot’s existing portfolio includes Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, the Cabot Saint Lucia resort - set to open in early 2023 - and the Cabot Revelstoke in development in British Columbia.