One of Cape Cod’s oldest golf courses, and perhaps its most scenic, Highland Links in North Truro is one of America’s golf treasures, perched high along windswept bluffs overlooking the Atlantic next to the vintage Highland Light. Founded circa 1892-1898, Highland has seen more than a hundred years of golf. More significant than its age is Highland’s heritage; circumstances keep it a genuine links, as close to the Scottish tradition found anywhere in the eastern United States, with deep natural rough, Scotch broom, heath, and spectacular ocean views.

The original “Highland House of Golf Links” was part of an ocean and cottage resort operated for years by the Small family of Truro, who promoted the course as “2000 yards around…in attractiveness not equaled in the New England coast.” Francis Ouimet, the legendary 1913 USGA Open Champion, played an exhibition round here after its original sand greens were converted to grass. First laid out by Isaac Small’s son Willard, a redesign was implemented in 1913 by New Yorker and frequent hotel guest J. Henry McKinley. By 1955 the links had been refurbished again by owner Hal Conklin. When the Cape Cod National Seashore was conceived in the 1960’s, Highland Links became Federal property.

The Truro Highlands Historic District encompasses an area of North Truro, Massachusetts, within the Cape Cod National Seashore, that has served as a recreational destination for more than 175 years. The major features of the district, which is centered on Highland Road east of US Route 6, are the Highland Light station, the Highland House (now a museum), and the Highland Links, one of the oldest golf courses on Cape Cod. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.