Gullane No 1
Gullane No 1 is the round that gives you the best view in Scottish golf. From the top of Gullane Hill you can see the Firth of Forth, the Lammermuirs, Edinburgh and a coastline studded with great links. It is a genuine championship course, a recent Scottish Open host, that happens to start a two minute walk from the village high street. Few rounds combine quality, history and scenery so completely.
Photo: Gullane Golf Club via Google, contributor Derek Henry.
The verdict
Gullane Golf Club has three numbered links courses, and No 1 is the senior and the best. Established in 1884 on land where golf has been played for centuries, it is a par 71 of around 6,870 yards that climbs Gullane Hill on the early holes, sits high along the ridge through the middle of the round, then tumbles back down to the village. The turf is classic East Lothian links, firm and fast, and the wind off the Forth shapes every decision.
This is no quiet members' secret. Gullane No 1, used in combination with the wider course, has hosted the Scottish Open and the Women's Scottish Open in recent years, so you play a course set up for the best in the world. Yet it remains welcoming and walkable, the kind of round that sends every visitor home raving. For a golfer building an East Lothian week around Muirfield and North Berwick, Gullane No 1 is a non negotiable.
Gullane No 1 at a glance
- Established
- 1884
- Setting
- Gullane Hill
- Type
- Links
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- 6,870 yds
- Green fee
- Around £175
Founding date, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and course databases. Green fees are indicative, around 175 pounds for a high season weekday round on the No 1 Course in the 2026 season, with lower shoulder season and winter rates. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The climb up Gullane Hill defines the front nine. By the time you reach the high holes you are rewarded with a panorama few courses can match, the Forth glinting below and Edinburgh on the skyline, with the wind now an honest test on exposed, rolling fairways. The downhill run home is exhilarating, the ground falling away toward the village and the sea, where judging the firm, fast bounce becomes the whole game.
It is a course that asks for the full set of links skills rather than raw length. The greens are subtle and the borrows hard to read after the wind has dried them out, the bunkering is clever, and the elevation changes ask you to flight the ball and trust the run. Big numbers come not from a single signature hazard but from a stretch of holes that quietly compound a loose swing.
Above all, Gullane No 1 is a joy to walk. The views never get old, the history is in every fairway, and the rhythm of climbing out and sweeping home gives the round a real shape. You finish back in the village understanding exactly why East Lothian is called Scotland's golf coast.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A members club that welcomes visitors on the No 1 Course at set times, with limited weekend availability |
| Green fee | Around 175 pounds for a high season weekday round, less in spring, autumn and winter (indicative) |
| Booking | Reserve ahead through the club; the No 1 Course books up well in advance in summer |
| On the day | A walking links with a notable climb early; caddies and trolleys can be arranged. Smart traditional dress expected |
| Getting there | In Gullane village, East Lothian, about a 40 minute drive east of Edinburgh and its airport |
| Best months | May to September for the firmest turf and the clearest views |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from the club; they change without notice, so always confirm directly before booking with Gullane Golf Club or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
Gullane and the neighbouring town of North Berwick are the natural bases, with country house hotels, inns and the famous Greywalls beside Muirfield. Staying in the village puts you on foot to the first tee and within a few minutes' drive of a dozen great links.
Many travellers base in Edinburgh, around 40 minutes west, and play out along the East Lothian coast each day. The city adds five star hotels, dining and the airport for those flying in, with Gullane, Muirfield and North Berwick all an easy morning run away.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Gullane.
Build an East Lothian links week
We pair Gullane No 1 with North Berwick, Muirfield and the best of Scotland's golf coast, book the tee times in the right order and handle the village hotel and the transfers. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Gullane No 1 questions
What is the par and length of Gullane No 1?
Gullane No 1 is a par 71 links measuring around 6,870 yards. It is the longest and most celebrated of the three numbered courses at Gullane Golf Club and climbs Gullane Hill before returning to the village.
When was Gullane No 1 built and who designed it?
Golf has been played on Gullane Hill since at least the 17th century, and the No 1 Course in its present form was established in 1884, making it the oldest of the club's three courses. It evolved as a natural links over the village common rather than the work of a single named architect.
Has Gullane No 1 hosted professional events?
Yes. Gullane No 1, often combined with the neighbouring Muirfield setup, has hosted the Scottish Open and the Women's Scottish Open in recent years, along with many amateur championships. It is a genuine championship links a short walk from the village.
How much does it cost to play Gullane No 1?
Indicative green fees for the No 1 Course are around 175 pounds for a high season weekday round in 2026, with lower shoulder season and winter rates. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Founding date, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.