EAST LOTHIAN

Just over half an hour east of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, you’ll find one of the greatest concentrations of quality golf anywhere in the world. The whole coastline is known as ‘Scotland’s Golf Coast’ and treat after treat comes as you make the drive east. You will find some of the best courses in the world in East Lothian as well as some relatively unheralded gems.

There’s not too much driving required between courses and with lovely towns and villages to explore, you can happily spend a whole week in East Lothian. As it’s so close to Edinburgh airport, you can easily combine a trip to East Lothian with another area in Scotland.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Muirfield (ranked 11 in the World) and North Berwick (ranked 39) are probably the most famous courses in the area and both make for truly memorable days. If you make it to Muirfield, make sure you stay for the historic lunch and afternoon foursomes. There are three courses in the lovely village of Gullane as well as Luffness just outside. Further east, Dunbar is another great coastal course that should be on your itinerary.

  • MUIRFIELD

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 11
    OUTPOST CLUB WORLD RANKING - 14
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 4

    Host of fifteen Open Championships, Muirfield has long been a favourite of professionals due to its challenge and perceived fairness. You will find beautiful views of the Firth of Forth and strategic bunkering that demands attention on every shot. It also provides one of the truly great experiences in the world of golf: morning fourball, followed by lunch, and concluding with afternoon foursomes. A day all golfers should experience once in their lives.

  • NORTH BERWICK

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 39
    OUTPOST CLUB WORLD RANKING - 35
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 10

    North Berwick is loaded with quirk and unique character and just might be the most fun golf course in the world – it certainly is among the best places to have a match. You will find shots over beaches, stone walls and burns. North Berwick has one of the most copied holes in golf (the “Redan” 15th) as well as what might be the most unusual hole in golf (the “Pit” 13th). Few places offer such a fun and unique golfing experience as North Berwick.

  • GULLANE 1

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 49
    GOLF WORLD (UK) GB & I RANKING - 65
    GOLF WORLD SCOTLAND RANKING - 22

    Three Gullane courses head from the heart of the village and over the hill to the coast before coming back home. Number 1 has hosted the Scottish Open on multiple occasions and it’s no wonder the players loved this course as an Open warm up. It’s a classic, fast running links with holes that will challenge you without beating you up too much. Adding a round at either Gullane 2 or Gullane 3 would make for a wonderful 36 hole day!

  • THE RENAISSANCE CLUB

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 77
    GOLF WORLD (UK) SCOTLAND RANKING - 29

    Creating a new course sandwiched between the classic links of Muirfield and North Berwick was quite a test, but Tom Doak’s Renaissance Course continues to grow in reputation and standing. The most spectacular holes on this course are along the clifftop, with amazing views over the Firth of Forth. Expect amazing conditioning and tremendous hospitality at this modern creation. The Scottish Open will be held here until at least 2027 so expect to see a lot more of the Renaissance course!

  • DUNBAR

    GOLF WORLD (UK) SCOTLAND RANKING - 36

    Thirty minutes drive to the east of Gullane lies the town of Dunbar - or ‘Sunny Dunny’ as it’s known locally. The golf course has hosted several prestigious events - The Scottish Amateur Open, the British Boys Championship, and final Open Qualifying. The course is played behind an old deer wall for the first three holes and then bursts into an out and back links course. The setting is amazing and you will feel the spray from the sea in your face if the wind blows. It’s a classic links where the conditioning is invariably excellent and the welcome is warm.

  • MUSSELBURGH OLD COURSE

    OPEN HOST - 6 TIMES!

    Some say this is the oldest golf course in the world. Mary Queen of Scots played nearby in the 16th century and the first recorded game over this ground was in 1672. In 1874 The Open came to Musselburgh, and six times in total the Championship was played over the nine holes here. The course remains largely unchanged from those days. It’s only 3,000 yards long and, given the fast running ground and relative lack of rough, it doesn’t play its yardage. But this is a perfect place for a quick nine, to soak up the history and try some hickory golf!

WHERE TO STAY

Some may be tempted to stay in Edinburgh but it makes a lot of sense to base yourself in East Lothian. North Berwick and Gullane are the obvious places to be - seaside locations with plenty of good restaurants and pubs to enjoy. Walking from your hotel to the golf course and back via a refreshing drink is one of the great East Lothian experiences!

  • The Marine Hotel

    The setting overlooking the 16th hole of North Berwick West links is simply superb. This boutique hotel has elegant rooms and cosy bars. A firm favourite on Scotland’s Golf Coast.

  • The Bonnie Badger

    The Bonnie Badger is situated in the heart of Gullane. You can dine in the restaurant, gather in the garden, relax in the bar or games room, or stay in one of the individually designed bedrooms.

  • The WATCHMAN

    THE MALLARD

    The Mallard (formerly The Watchman) is a new addition to Gullane. Looking out over the children’s golf course this hotel is right in the middle of things! A nice bar and restaurant with a golf focus makes this a popular choice.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 1

Meet your driver for the week at Edinburgh airport.

On the way to your accommodation you’ll stop at Kilspindie for the first round. Kilspindie is a great warm up course. It’s positioned right on the coast so will give you a good taste of some of the wonderful views you’ll be experiencing all week. The par 69, 5,200 yard course opens and closes with a par 3. There’s plenty of fun to be had and it will be a good way to blow away the cobwebs before getting to your accommodation.

Home for the week is The Bonnie Badger in Gullane. This boutique hotel has a stunning restaurant managed by Scottish celebrity chef Tom Kitchin. There are several other restaurants and pubs within just a short walk from the hotel.

DAY 2

After breakfast it’s literally a two minute stroll from the front door of the Bonnie Badger to Gullane 1. This course has played host to many Championships throughout the years, including the Men’s and Women’s Scottish Open, and the spectacular view from the 7th tee has been described as the best in the whole of golf!

After the round at Gullane we can organise a tour of the private museum attached to the club where you can see some artefacts from bygone eras. Also consider a trip to Jack White’s shop opposite the hotel to see his treasure trove of hickory clubs.

DAY 3

Today you will play one of the world’s most fun courses - The West Links at North Berwick is pure enjoyment from beginning to end. The course has some of the most iconic holes in Scotland, if not the world. Playing the original Redan and over an old stone wall on The Pit are amazing experiences.

After your round you may choose to have a second round at ‘the other’ course in North Berwick. The Glen lies to the east of the town and has some spectacular clifftop holes and more gorgeous views. Or, if you fancy a more leisurely afternoon, take some time to stroll around the seaside town of North Berwick, maybe stopping in for a bite to eat at the harbour Lobster Shack.

DAY 4

After breakfast you head for the town of Dunbar today, about half an hour along the coast to the east. Dunbar has hosted many prestigious British and Scottish Amateur events and is a local favourite. The course is laid out on a strip of land between a wall and the sea and you will enjoy breathtaking views along with some really wonderful links golf.

In the afternoon we can organise a trip into nearby Edinburgh. Known as ‘The Athens of the North’ it’s a city packed with history and wonderful architecture. If you time it right then a trip to the Edinburgh Tattoo can be arranged too.

DAY 5

Today head to the nearby Renaissance Club - the only course in Scotland to host a PGA Tour event. As a result, the course has gained worldwide exposure in recent years and continuous work from Tom Doak means the reputation of this course is increasing every year.

DAY 6

Today you will enjoy one of the most special days in the whole of golf. Many consider Muirfield to be the finest test of golf on the Open rota. It has certainly produced some great champions with Trevino, Faldo, Watson, Nicklaus, Els, Player and Mickelson all winning there. In the morning you will play 18 holes before donning a jacket and tie to enjoy the famous Muirfield lunch. After this sumptuous feast you will go out in the afternoon for a round of alternate shot foursomes. You’ll be telling the stories about this day for years to come!

DAY 7

As you head for the airport there’s time for one last round at what is possibly the oldest course in the world - Musselburgh Old, host to 6 Open Championships. It’s time to don the plus fours as we go back to a really authentic ‘early golf’ experience. You can hire some hickory clubs to enjoy this nine hole course to the max.

Many people combine a few days here with a trip to the West Coast or Fife. Contact us now to organise your perfect East Lothian golf trip!

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