Mᴏʀᴀʏ Oʟᴅ & Nᴇᴡ

Next door to RAF Lossiemouth is Moray Golf Club. 36 holes of classic links cut through the gorse bushes that cover the gently rolling sand dunes beside the Moray Firth - known as Moray Old and New.

The Old was designed by Old Tom Morris, opening in 1889 as a club generally serving the gentlemen of nearby Elgin - the county’s capital. The start of the Second World War brought a great change to the region, and the demographics of Lossiemouth substantially altered.

Lossie is one of the largest bases in the UK - bringing thousands of people to the area and adding billions to the local economy. The growth of the area no doubt contributed to the opening of a second course in the late 1970s. Sir Henry Cotton was the architect this time, absorbing a 9 hole course originally laid out for the Ladies into his design for the New course.

The Old is a classic test. Gently undulating fairways wind through gorse. The greens are subtle and the bunkers typical revetted pots. The undoubted highlight is the marvellous Eighteenth. There is a feel of North Berwick or St Andrew with large stone houses flanking a fairway full of life, and the clubhouse standing proudly behind the elevated green. The New is similar in character to the Old, but tighter still - the gorse being the main defence.

I can’t imagine ever tiring of watching the Typhoon fighter jets train. As they come in to land, you feel as if they’re in range of a pitching wedge.

It’s an incredible experience.