The Carrick at Loch Lomond, Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Situated along the western shoreline of the world-famous Loch Lomond, The Carrick on Loch Lomond straddles both the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. The golf course, spa and lodges were developed by the renowned De Vere Resort Group as part of a strategy to promote the 5 Star Cameron House Hotel as a premier golf destination in Scotland. 

In July 2002 the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park was established as Scotland’s first National Park and coincided with the early design and planning phases of the golf course. In fact, The Carrick on Loch Lomond is the first golf course to be built in a National Park in Scotland and along with the new designation came a unique set of rules and regulations to work through with the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority. The Carrick on Loch Lomond has since gained world-wide recognition for its environmentally sensitive design.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the project involved working with a team of archaeologists from the University of Glasgow who continually monitored construction. Numerous artefacts dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages (with some dating back more than 4,000 years) were carefully uncovered during the construction process leading to the most significant archaeological findings in Western Scotland to date. All artefacts were carefully mapped and catalogued for further study at the University of Glasgow and many others were preserved on site.
 
The visual character of the site was also of great importance. The design guidelines required keeping buildings and sand traps out of view from the adjacent highway and Loch Lomond to maintain the natural landscape feel within the National Park setting.

Another interesting aspect of the course is that the ninth tee starts in the Lowlands and finishes with the green in the Highlands. The course is designed in the spirit of traditional Scottish Heathland courses with revetted pot bunkers, closely mown chipping hollows and plantings of gorse and heather.