⚓ Scottish AnchoragesCharles Warlow
Even I might take up golf with views like this
Even I might take up golf with views like this

Not my game. I hate ball games. Apart from walking cautiously around the edges of golf courses on the way to somewhere else I have never been on one with a club in my hand. Only once did I follow one of my sons with his clubs when I was very struck (no pun intended) by the dangers of stray balls, and the peculiar etiquette. But if you want to ruin a good walk as they say, and clutter up your quarter berth with clubs, there are some courses which are close enough to some of the anchorages for a bit of a bash around (I suspect that is not golfspeak), and many courses I must confess are very pretty. What is more it is a very Scottish game played by anyone, and remarkably inexpensive, compared with say England where it can often be a game for toffs. You may need the OS map to find the courses. 

Airds Bay, Loch Etive: 9 holes, and not too far to walk.

Balvicar, Seil Island: Loch Shuna: 9 holes, convenient for the anchorage.

Coll: 9 holes but a couple of miles from any anchorage.

Colonsay: 18 holes, on the west side about two miles from the pier, too far to walk carrying clubs, so maybe get a lift somehow.  But much nearer the Port Mòr anchorage.

Fort William, Upper Loch Linnhe: 18 holes but too far except for the desperate, 3 miles north.

Gigha: 9 holes, not too far from Ardminish Bay, about a mile.

Iona: free 18 hole course, on the machair, looks amazing.

Isle of Eriska, Loch Creran: 6 holes in posh surroundings but sinking into dereliction I think.

Oban: Firth of Lorne: 18 holes, but again a bit far away, about a mile to the east of the town.

Port Ellen, Islay: Machrie Golf Club, 18 holes, but too far along a rather dull road, get a taxi or the bus to Bowmore.

Scallastle, Sound of Mull: 9 holes, quite close to the otherwise dull anchorage, so dull I have not included it. Possibly walk from Craignure.

South Ballachulish, Loch Leven: 9 holes, but yet again a bit of a step from the anchorage.

Tiree: 9 holes, and not too far from the Gott Bay anchorage.

Tobermory, Sound of Mull: 9 holes, this surely must be the best one, fabulous views and not far to get to up from the town.

On reflection although I have seen boats piled high with binoculars, bird books and fishing rods, I have never seen any golf clubs.