With the Championship Course recently ranked No. 2 in the world by Golf Digest, the project has delivered a new clubhouse that not only reflects Royal Dornoch’s global stature but also pays tribute to the timeless heritage and landscape that define Dornoch.

Golf in Dornoch can be traced back over 400 years to 1616, and against this remarkable legacy, the task undertaken by architects Keppie was to design and deliver a clubhouse befitting Royal Dornoch’s stature and the town’s heritage.

Neil Hampton, general manager of Royal Dornoch Golf Club, praised the collaborative design process. He said: “From the outset, the team at Keppie grasped the brief and produced an innovative way to address the question, while taking us along with them. The inclusive attitude to the design helped us understand our building, and when it was opened for business, it felt like an old pair of slippers as we knew it so well.”

Conceived as a ‘Cathedral of Golf’, the new clubhouse draws on a vernacular palette of buff sandstone and slate that complements the Town of Dornoch. The design is inspired by its surroundings with deep picture windows echoing those of Dornoch Castle, while grand stepped arches at the entrance levels take subtle cues from Dornoch Cathedral.

A clock tower provides both a civic gesture and a practical reference point for golfers. The building offers a contextually rooted addition to the Dornoch townscape and skyline which is particularly striking from the 18th approach, where it is framed by sweeping views across the courses, coastline and town beyond.

Fraser Davie, Keppie’s lead architect, said: “The design journey was about honouring Royal Dornoch’s remarkable legacy while creating spaces that feel deeply rooted in place. Every material, detail, and spatial gesture was chosen to reflect the landscape, the Club’s heritage, and the experience that makes Dornoch so special. We are incredibly proud to have shaped a building that feels authentically ‘Of Dornoch’ and worthy of its global reputation.”

The Clubhouse unfolds over three levels, centred around a top-lit exhibition staircase, creating an enjoyable and educational journey through the club’s history from the pro shop and changing facilities up to the top floor, where intimate restaurant and bar spaces reveal sweeping views of the courses, coastline and town.

Sustainability was integral to the design strategy with the south-facing PV array doubling up as the roof covering itself, complemented by ground source heat pumps, substantial battery storage, highly insulated envelope, and exceptional airtightness. Every decision considered longevity, creating a building capable of withstanding the exposed Highland conditions and standing proud for generations to come.

Keppie developed the concept design before leading full technical coordination and interior fit-out. Guided by five key design principles: Arrival and Anticipation; Journey and Movement; Concealing and Revealing Views; Heritage; and Identity.

The vision has already been validated by The R&A’s selection of Royal Dornoch to stage the 45th Curtis Cup match between Great Britain & Ireland and the United States in 2028 — an event that will showcase both the course and the new clubhouse to a worldwide audience.