Gareth Bale swapped striking a football for a golf ball yesterday as he travelled north to play two of the region’s top golf courses.
The Wales and Real Madrid star teed off early at Castle Stuart before heading for another 18 holes at Royal Dornoch in the afternoon.
The world’s most expensive footballer was in the Highlands with four schoolmates as part of an annual golf trip which they take every summer to a chosen location.
As he walked off the 18th green at Castle Stuart, he said: “I enjoyed the golf course, I found it pretty tough but it was a windy day so that played a part”.
Jeremy Matte, Castle Stuart Links director of golf, said: “It was a pleasure having Gareth and his friends here.
“We were delighted that they chose the Highlands and Castle Stuart golf links for their golf outing.”
No one was available yesterday to comment at Royal Dornoch but, according to local sources, the forward struck a solid tee shot down the first fairway as he began his mid-afternoon round.
The £85million star was in a buoyant mood this week following his engagement to girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones.
The Welshman confirmed the news on social media on Sunday after celebrating his 27th birthday on Saturday.
Bale wrote: “She said yes!! This is a birthday weekend I won’t forget for a long time.”
A picture on the website shows the couple, which his girlfriend holding up her hand to reveal her engagement ring. The footballer has two children with high-school sweetheart Rhys-Jones.
Bale starred for his country at Euro 2016, scoring in all of Wales’ three games in Group B to help them top the table.
He was also influential in the tournament knockout stages, especially in their victory over Northern Ireland when his low, drilled cross was turned into the net by a defender.
He then played a key role in his country’s historic win over Belgium, a team performance branded by many as the best ever by a Wales football team.
But their tournament came to an end with a hard-fought defeat against Portugal, who eventually won a tight final against host nation France.
Castle Stuart recently held the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, which was won by Swede Alex Noren.
Course manager Stuart McColm hailed the organisation of the event and said it would provide a “tourism legacy” for the north, having been watched from around the world.
Royal Dornoch is consistently ranked in the top 10 courses in the world.
