The Iron Lady Experience: Golf & Connection in the Scottish Highlands
I’m on the plane home from Scotland, full of meat pies, chocolate croissants, and—most of all—smiles from an incredible week in the Scottish Highlands. Sixteen women joined us—some on their very first trip, others returning for the umpteenth time. Some came solo, others with friends, but everyone quickly bonded over the course of our seven-day adventure.
We played four incredible courses: Royal Dornoch, ranked in the top 10 in the world; Nairn, one of Scotland’s finest; and both of the Cabot Courses—Highlands (formerly Castlestewart) and Old Petty, which just opened on August 1st. At every round, we had local caddies sharing stories, history, and tips to help us navigate these dramatic, rolling links courses.
The weather gods were on our side—sunny 20-degree days with just a light 5 km/h breeze—the perfect conditions for links golf - and we knew how lucky we were!
But the social side of Iron Lady is just as important. Each day ended with laughter, cheers, and stories from the course—whether it was battling out of a pot bunker (a few swings required!) or celebrating unforgettable birdies. Evenings were spent exploring new restaurants in Inverness and Dornoch. One highlight? A traditional Scottish dinner, complete with bagpipes and haggis. Of course, we also enjoyed our fair share of fish and chips, meat pies, and plenty of “chips” (aka fries!), soaking in the local flavors.
Each day, I had the chance to play with a different group, helping them fine-tune their links games—bump-and-runs, keeping the ball low, and course management on the ever-unpredictable rolls of the links. Watching each Iron Lady grow in confidence and skill, especially around the greens, was such a joy.
Our “day off” in the middle of the trip included a Loch Ness boat cruise (no monster sightings this time!), a tour of Urquhart Castle, and a stunning forest and waterfall hike. Of course, all activities were optional—some Iron Ladies opted for the spa and a little shopping. I loved wandering through the charming towns, stopping for coffee, and browsing the shops. Our private driver made it easy to explore everything stress-free.
I’m always amazed by the incredible women who say yes to these trips. This was our 61st adventure, and each one has its own stories. It takes courage to join solo, but the magic is undeniable—new friendships, new golf partners, endless laughter, and memories that last a lifetime.
If you haven’t been away with us yet, I hope you’ll consider joining one of our adventures. There’s nothing quite like it!
