The north economy is set to enjoy a multi-million pound boost this weekend as the Scottish Open tees off today.
The scene is set for a spectacular weekend of golf at Castle Stuart – with record crowds expected as it returns to its Highland home.
The first star players tee off in pursuit of glory at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open this morning.
And business leaders are already reporting that Inverness feels “noticeably” busier as people begin to travel to the Highlands from all over the world to watch the competition.
It is the first time that the European Tour event has returned to Castle Stuart since 2013 – when Phil Mickleson’s victory was watched by a worldwide television audience of 500million people and more than 70,000 people on the course.
The multiple-major winner flew into Inverness yesterday and is one of several star names taking part, including Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer, Colin Montgomerie and local hero Russell Knox.
Stuart McColm, general manager at Castle Stuart Golf Links, said: “The stage is set for a fantastic event.
“We have arguably the strongest field assembled on a European Tour event this year and the buzz about the place is incredible.
“We can’t wait to get started and see these world class players compete in this wonderful setting. With millions of people watching across the world it is a chance to showcase Scotland, and the Highlands in particular.
“It will be a spectacular advert for this area and I hope as many people as possible will also come here to experience this exciting occasion for themselves.”
A detailed assessment of the first Scottish Open at Castle Stuart found that it brought £3.7million into the Inverness and Nairn areas alone, with £370,000 spent further afield in the Highlands.
The figures are expected to be considerably higher this year with a larger crowd expected to gather.
Peter Adams, championship director of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, said: “We have assembled one of the strongest fields in the history of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, with seven major champions, two world number ones, 97 European Tour winners and 24 Ryder Cup players here in the Highlands this week.
“With Russell Knox, who was born and raised in Inverness, also making his competitive debut at Castle Stuart, the locals will have a hero to cheer so we’re all set for four days of great golf and look forward to welcoming fans through the gates for the 34th edition of Scotland’s national Open.”
Live music and entertainment has been rolled out in the centre of Inverness to welcome visitors to the Highland capital during the golfing tournament.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s a really significant event for the Highlands. I was just in the city centre at lunchtime and it is noticeably busier with people in restaurants and the shops and kids taking part in what Bid have laid on in Falcon Square.
“It’s a fantastic chance to showcase Inverness and the Highlands as well as the fantastic golf course at Castle Stuart.
“It’s testament to the hard work of those guys that we have the Scottish Open back in the again after it was away and now it’s on show again to a worldwide audience.
“It really is a hugely important commercial and business event as well as a sporting one.”
Scott Armstrong, VisitScotland regional partnerships director added:
“Sporting events like the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart have an immense impact on tourism in the Highlands and surrounding areas, attracting golf fans from across Scotland and beyond.
“Events are a vitally important part of the local visitor economy with the ripple effect of event tourism felt in shops, hotels, restaurants and a wide variety of other businesses in the region.
“Golf tourism is worth £220m to the country annually and hosting high profile events like the Scottish Open here in the north of Scotland only enhance further our country’s reputation as the home of golf.”
A number of traffic restrictions are in place around Castle Stuart until after the compeition
They include on the B9039 Newton – Ardersier road, C1017 Kerrowgair – Croy road, U1283 Castle Stuart – Easter Dalziel road, U1008 Morayston – Castle Stuart and the U2113 Easterton Road, Dalcross, vehicles prohibited except for local access
A free shuttle bus system is in operation from the course to Inverness Airport and Inverness bus station.
