3 GREAT LINKS GOLF COURSES TO TRY NEAR EDINBURGH
If you’re looking to play on a classic Scottish links golf course near Edinburgh, you’re in luck – here are 3 of the 21 beautiful golf courses in nearby East Lothian, aka Scotland’s Golf Coast. With plenty of accommodation options near all the courses, this is a golfer’s paradise.
1 Dunbar Golf Club
The must-have things on your wish-list for a great Scottish golf trip will include a challenging links course, stunning scenery and a friendly clubhouse, Dunbar Golf Club has them all and needs to be on your radar.
Established in 1856, this classic Scottish links golf course just 30 miles outside Edinburgh, is an absolute gem among the many links courses on Scotland’s Golf Coast and is held in high regard both locally and around the golfing world.
That’s why this East Lothian links course has played host to countless national and international championships, and the likes of Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie, Paul McGinley, Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia.
The course, which is a little over 6,500 yards, runs along a narrow strip of links land which hugs East Lothian’s North Sea coastline, presenting players with stunning views and a true test for every golfer.
The cherry on top is that Dunbar is known as ‘sunny Dunny’ for its famously good climate – meaning more time spent out playing golf!
Find out more about Dunbar Golf Club
Stay & Play
Dunmuir Hotel
This multi-award winning family hotel with 20 rooms is just 5 minutes from Dunbar Golf Club and the train station, which connects to Edinburgh.
The hotel, voted No 2 in East Lothian by guests on TripAdvisor, has built up a great reputation for looking after golf groups and can offer Bed and Breakfast rates or Dinner Bed and Breakfast packages.
2 Craigielaw Golf Club
Challenging greens, cavernous bunkers and spectacular views welcome you at Craigielaw Golf Club – a must-play for lovers of links golf in Scotland.
Boasting a challenging 18-hole championship golf course, which was designed by Donald Steel & Co., it opened in 2001.
While relatively new, it oozes character and its mix of gently undulating greens and panoramic views across the water to the coast of Fife will put a smile on the face of fans of links golf.
Since opening, it has hosted many national events; it was a qualifying course for the 2007 British Seniors Open at Muirfield and hosted The Staysure Tour Scottish Senior Open in 2018 and 2019.
The bar and restaurant offers the finest locally and seasonally produced food alongside an extensive range or whiskies, wine and beer. The club also has excellent accommodation on site in the form of The Lodge at Craigielaw which offers 25 bedrooms, although at the time of writing it is currently closed due to Covid-19 with a planned re-opening date of March 2021.
When it comes to playing links golf near Edinburgh, what more do you need?
Find out more about Craigielaw Golf Club
Stay & Play
Duck’s Inn
If not staying at Craigielaw, why not try this charming inn, built in 1638, situated just a short walk away.
With 23 rooms, fantastic food, and a famously cosy and friendly bar offering an incredible range of whiskies, gins, wine and real ales, it’s the perfect spot to unwind after a day on the course.
Have a look at the special Stay & Play packages available at Duck’s here
3 Gullane Golf Club
How does not one, not two, but three classic links golf courses near Edinburgh sound?
Gullane, host venue for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and Ladies Scottish Open competitions in 2018, offers an unrivalled range of golfing experiences including the championship test of No. 1, the strategic challenge of No. 2 and the scenic beauty of No. 3.
All three courses are maintained to the same high standards meaning each showcases the undulations and smooth-running greens for which Scotland’s links courses are renowned.
Find out more about Gullane Golf Club
Stay & Play
Garleton Lodge
Situated on the hill overlooking Gullane, with spectacular views across Edinburgh, the Forth and surrounding East Lothian countryside, Garleton Lodge provides a great base from which to play not only Gullane’s courses but all courses along Scotland’s Golf Coast – all 21 courses are within 20 minutes.
Garleton Lodge, which holds Visit Scotland 5-Star accreditation, offers guests a choice of eight rooms all en-suite with full facilities. There is also a residents’ lounge with fully stocked bar, award-winning restaurant, spa/treatment room, hot tub, relaxation room, BBQ hut and golf facilities including club storage, drying room, practice bunker and putting green.
Voted by guests as the No.1 place to stay in East Lothian on TripAdvisor, Garleton Lodge offers some great Stay & Play packages here
