Edinburgh & East Lothian Golf Breaks

Why Golfers Travel to Edinburgh & East Lothian

The links golf is world-class. East Lothian calls itself Scotland's Golf Coast, with more than 20 courses along the shore of the Firth of Forth. Gullane, North Berwick and Muirfield are on every golfer's list, and quieter links such as Kilspindie and Craigielaw are just as much fun.

Everything is close together. Most of the East Lothian courses are within 15 minutes of each other and around 30 to 40 minutes from Edinburgh, so you can play two different links in a day and still be back for dinner.

The city is right there. Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the pubs of the Old Town make the evenings as good as the golf, and there is plenty for anyone in the group who would rather not play every day.

The Best Golf Courses in Edinburgh & East Lothian

Gullane Golf Club - Three links courses on the hill above Gullane village. The No.1 Course hosted the Scottish Open in 2018 and is used for Open qualifying, while the No.2 and No.3 courses give you the same views across the Firth of Forth at a gentler price.

North Berwick Golf Club - The West Links is one of the oldest courses in the world and home to the original Redan hole, copied by architects all over the world. Stone walls, the beach and views of the Bass Rock make it a round to remember. Up on the cliffs at the other end of town, the Glen Golf Club has some of the best views on the coast.

Muirfield - Home of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and a regular host of The Open. Visitor tee times are limited, so book as early as you can if Muirfield is on your list.

Dalmahoy East and West Courses - Two parkland courses on the western edge of Edinburgh, close to the airport. The East Course is the championship layout and once hosted the Solheim Cup, and the West Course is shorter and more forgiving.

Craigielaw Golf Club - A modern links at Aberlady with firm, fast fairways and the Lodge right next to the first tee. Nearby Kilspindie Golf Club is a short, traditional links on the edge of the bay, and Longniddry Golf Club mixes links and woodland holes.

When Is the Best Time to Play Golf in Edinburgh?

May to September is the main season. Days are long, with daylight until around 10pm in June, so you can fit in two rounds a day, and the links are at their firmest and fastest.

Spring and autumn bring quieter courses and lower green fees, and links golf drains well, so it is playable all year. Pack waterproofs and layers whatever the month, as the wind off the Firth of Forth can change a round quickly. The Edinburgh Festival in August makes the city lively, but book hotels early.

Planning a Golf Break to Edinburgh & East Lothian

A one or two-night break works well for a first visit. The Macdonald Cardrona one-night package starts from £139pp with two rounds, and the Dalmahoy one-night package from £315pp includes both Dalmahoy courses and return airport transfers.

For a links trip, three nights at the Lodge at Craigielaw is hard to beat. The Craigielaw three-night package from £592pp includes rounds at Craigielaw, Longniddry, Gullane No.3 and Kilspindie. Ask us to add North Berwick, Gullane No.1 or Muirfield for a bucket list round.

Edinburgh also makes a good start or finish to a longer Scottish trip. St Andrews and the rest of Fife are around an hour and a half away, and Glasgow and Ayrshire are an easy drive west.

Travel Tips for Visiting Golfers

Getting there - Edinburgh Airport has flights from across the UK, around an hour from London. The train from London King's Cross takes around four and a half hours, and East Lothian is about 30 minutes from Edinburgh Waverley by car.

Transport - most groups hire a minibus or car, as the East Lothian courses are spread along the coast. The Dalmahoy packages include return airport transfers.

Weather -pack waterproofs, layers and a wind shirt. Links courses can be breezy at any time of year.

Handicaps - the bigger links such as Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane No.1 may ask for a handicap certificate. Check with us when you book.

Dress code - smart golf clothing on the course. Some clubhouses also have a jacket and tie rule in certain rooms.