First look at Royal Dornoch's new £13.9m clubhouse

Among those to get a first glimpse of the new facility on Monday morning were long-serving members Christine Murray (89), former professional Willie Skinner (92) and Sander MacDonald (89).

The three-storey clubhouse replaces a building which had been the club’s home for 116 years. It has been completed two years after the project was given the green light and will be used by visitors from all around the world.

Captain Gary Bethune said: “This is our amazing new home, and one to be enjoyed by generations to come. Our Championship Course is among the finest to be found anywhere in the golf world, enticing golfers from far and wide to make the pilgrimage to our historic wee town here in the Scottish Highlands. Now, I truly believe we have a clubhouse to match the reputation of our beloved links.”

‘Delivering on the dream’

Over 700 of the club’s 2000-plus members are based outwith the UK, in 24 countries. “We are delivering on the dream,” declared general manager Neil Hampton. “Everyone involved in this milestone development should be proud of what they have delivered.

“This is a statement of intent. In many ways, it is a new beginning for Royal Dornoch as we look to develop the Struie and create a third course here to enhance the town’s reputation as a golfing destination.”

Royal Dornoch’s Championship Course provided the five-time Open champion and self-confessed links lover, Tom Watson, with the “most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course” and thousands of others share that view.

Hampton added: “I know some members, wherever they call home, were worried that we might lose the intimacy and atmosphere of what is still a proud local golf club, along with being this icon of world golf.

“But everything about the interior design in terms of the colour palette, fabrics, textiles and furnishings has taken this into account. What the club now has to offer members and visitors has surpassed all our expectations.”