East Lothian is the densest stretch of great links in the world, a coastline east of Edinburgh that locals call Scotland’s Golf Coast, where an Open venue, a tour stop and a string of historic links sit within a few miles of one another. Here are the ten we rate most highly, ranked, with our verdict on each and how to play it.
Photograph: North Berwick Golf Club, Rob R., via Google
Few places on earth pack as much quality links golf into so small an area as the coast between Musselburgh and Dunbar, so a top ten here means leaving out courses that would headline most regions. We weighed architectural merit, the quality of the links land, conditioning and the sheer enjoyment of the round, and we noted how realistically a visitor can get on, which ranges from a once in a lifetime application at Muirfield to easy public access at the town links. The number one is not in doubt: Muirfield, home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and widely held to be the fairest test on the Open rota.
Behind it comes a remarkable field, from the eccentric genius of North Berwick and the breezy heights of Gullane to Tom Doak’s modern Renaissance Club, a regular Scottish Open host. Every fact here was checked at the time of writing, and where a single designer could not be cleanly attributed for an old links that evolved over decades we have said so rather than invent one. The verdicts are ours and the order reflects our editors’ view; locals will happily argue the toss below the top two. If you want these built into a costed trip, that is exactly what our concierge does.
One of the very greatest courses on earth and, for many professionals, the fairest test on the Open rota, a links of two concentric loops so that the wind is never the same for two holes running. Laid out for the Honourable Company in 1891 on the ground it still occupies and refined by Harry Colt, it rewards honest ball striking above all. Visitor play is limited and ballotted, so plan it far ahead.
The most charming and the most copied links in the world, where the original Redan fifteenth has been imitated on great courses everywhere and walls, burns and a shared beach give the round a wild, antique character. It should not work and yet it is pure joy from first tee to last. Genuinely accessible to visitors, which makes it one of the easiest classics to actually book.
Tom Doak’s first Scottish design and the modern face of the coast, opened in 2008 on wooded duneland between Muirfield and Archerfield and a regular host of the Scottish Open. Tournament conditioning, clever angles and a recent run of holes opened up to the sea give it real championship pedigree. A private club, but the most reliable big course to arrange through a stay.
The senior of Gullane’s three courses and a 2015 Scottish Open venue, climbing over Gullane Hill to some of the finest views in golf, out over the Firth of Forth to Fife and the Edinburgh skyline. Springy turf, big elevation and exposed high holes make for a thrilling, breezy round. Welcoming to visitors and a must on any tour of the coast.
One of two modern championship links at the Archerfield estate, designed by the former tour player DJ Russell through mature woodland and dunes behind a luxury lodge. More sheltered and parkland in feel than the open town links, it offers a polished, well conditioned round and a comfortable base. A strong addition to a coast itinerary, especially in a stiff wind.
A connoisseur’s links laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1894 and famed for having some of the purest, fastest greens in Scotland. Compact, beautifully turfed and quietly demanding, it is the sort of understated classic that visiting golfers leave raving about. Traditional and private in feel, but well worth arranging for those who value the finer points of links golf.
A modern links by Donald Steel opened in 2001 on a windswept point at Aberlady Bay, firm and fast with views across the water to Edinburgh. It plays older than its years and gives a true links test with easy access and an attached lodge, which makes it a practical anchor for a golfing stay. A fine warm up or wind down round on a multi course trip.
A narrow, classic links squeezed onto a thin strip of land along the rocky shore at the eastern end of the coast, reshaped by Old Tom Morris in 1894. The middle holes run right beside the sea wall with the waves at your shoulder, exposed to every breath of wind. Honest, characterful and accessible, it is a fitting full stop to a tour of Scotland’s Golf Coast.
The underrated middle child of the Gullane courses, sharing the same glorious hill and turf as its famous sibling but with a little less length and a lot less traffic. The views are nearly as good and the value is better, which makes it a smart second round in a day at Gullane. An easy, enjoyable links that most visitors overlook.
A short, joyful seaside links on the point at Aberlady, one of the friendliest and most playable courses on the coast. There is little length to frighten anyone, but the wind, the firm turf and the views supply all the challenge you need for a thoroughly fun round. The perfect relaxed counterpoint to the heavyweight links nearby.
Designers and dates verified June 2026 against published records, with old links that evolved over decades described by character where a single architect could not be cleanly attributed. Visitor access ranges from a limited ballot at Muirfield to easy public play at the town links. Always confirm tee times, access days and fees directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Tell us whether the dream is Muirfield and the Open links, the Gullane and North Berwick classics or a wider tour from an Edinburgh base, and roughly when. One concierge arranges the tee times and the base and costs the trip to the head, with no obligation.
Muirfield, home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and an Open Championship venue, is the clear number one and is widely regarded as the fairest test on the Open rota. North Berwick and Tom Doak’s Renaissance Club are next, with Gullane No. 1 close behind.
Yes, on limited days and through an advance application or ballot, usually with conditions on handicap and dress and often as part of a foursomes round. Demand is high and tee times are scarce, so it needs to be arranged well in advance, which is exactly the kind of access we organise.
More than twenty courses line the coast between Musselburgh and Dunbar, which is why the area is marketed as Scotland’s Golf Coast. They range from Open and tour venues to friendly town and holiday links, almost all within a short drive of one another.
Gullane and North Berwick are the classic bases, both walkable to several links and around thirty to forty minutes from central Edinburgh. Staying on the coast keeps the driving short and lets you pair championship rounds with the smaller links and the city.
Scottish links news, Muirfield and Open venue access windows and the tee times worth moving on first. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, opening years and settings verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.