Bernard Gallacher

The Course

Muirfield in East Lothian is the home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the oldest club in golf who are the source for the earliest written rules of golf.

Renowned as host to major championships, including the 2013 Open Championship, Muirfield is considered to be the fairest test of championship golf with all its hazards laid out in open view with no hidden bunkers or blind shots.

The club however has not always been based at Muirfield.  In the beginnings back in 1744, the first 13-rules of golf were drafted by a committee of the Gentlemen Golfers of Edinburgh, over Leith Links.  This is noted as the first known organised golfing activity of any golf club in the world.  In 1836, the company moved to Musselburgh Links due to overcrowding, and subsequently because of the growing popularity and further overcrowding, again moved in 1891 to the present site at Muirfield.

The Hole

The 18th hole at Muirfield is said to be one of the greatest finishing holes in golf.  Stretching to 473 yards in length, it is a par-4 that is known to challenge.  At the fairways narrowest point, two bunkers have been cut into the left side, while the right side is lined with more sand.  Couple this with the prevailing cross wind from the right and you can see where the difficulty lies!

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Golf in East Lothian

East Lothian is one of Scotland’s finest golfing regions and home to some of the world's oldest and most cherished golf courses. One of which is, Musselburgh Old Course where it is believed that golf was regularly played as far back as 1672.  Today you can hire hickory clubs for a truly authentic experience.  On the contrary, Craigielaw is one of East Lothian’s newest courses but with its testing greens it definitely meets the challenging standards of its historic neighbours.

Some of the other 22 courses on offer on East Lothian’s Golf Coast include; Kilspindie, Longniddry, Winterfield and The Glen.  Discover how you can play more of these, while making great savings with the East Lothian Golf Pass.

 The 19th hole and beyond

Golf isn’t the only attraction the region has to offer.  East Lothian is guaranteed to impress lovers of the great outdoors, with miles of stunning coastline and beautiful rolling countryside.  The coast boasts golden beaches that provide the perfect setting for water sports; from sailing in North Berwick to surfing in Dunbar.  Not to mention it also forms part of the route for the John Muir Way, a long distance walk across Scotland’s heartland, from Dunbar in the East to Helensburgh in the West. 

North Berwick

East Lothian is also considered to be one of Scotland’s richest wildlife areas and home to North Berwick’s award winning Scottish Seabird Centre.  Every year, thousands of seabirds make their way from the North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and beyond to the islands of the Firth of Forth for the breeding season. The stunning Bass Rock is the world’s largest gannet colony for much of the year, while puffins, cormorants, kittiwakes and other seabirds head for neighbouring islands. Other species which can sometimes be spotted in the area off the East Lothian coast include grey seals, dolphins and even minke whales.

Within just 30 minutes from East Lothian, you can be in the heart of Edinburgh relishing in the history of the city.   From the old town to the new, there are endless things to see and do in Scotland’s capital. Take a visit to the Scott Monument or Edinburgh Castle, walk along the famous Royal Mile or admire the panoramic views from Arthur’s Seat - to name but a few.