Long niddry

The verdict

Longniddry is the connoisseur's choice on the East Lothian coast, a stretch that holds more great golf per mile than almost anywhere on earth. Laid out by the master architect Harry Colt in 1921, it sits on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, 18 miles east of Edinburgh, and refuses to be neatly labelled. The opening holes are open and links in character, hard by the sea, before the routing turns inland and threads through mature Scots pine and dense gorse, half links and half heathland woodland.

Do not be fooled by the scorecard. At 6,260 yards and a par of 68 it looks short, but there are no par 5s to relax into and eight of the par 4s stretch beyond 400 yards, several of them into a prevailing wind that funnels along the firth. Colt's bunkering and the firm, tilting greens demand position and a controlled flight rather than length. For golfers building an East Lothian itinerary around Muirfield, Gullane and North Berwick, Longniddry is the smart, less crowded round that locals quietly rate as one of the best in the county.

The holes worth the trip

Longniddry plays in two distinct moods. The early holes run out along the Firth of Forth, exposed to the sea breeze and links in feel, where keeping the ball flighted low and finding the firm fairways sets up the round. It is open, honest golf with the water glinting to your right and Edinburgh's skyline on the horizon.

The character changes as the course turns inland and Colt's routing tightens through avenues of Scots pine and banks of gorse. Here the premium is on accuracy, with several of the long par 4s doglegging between the trees to greens that are smaller and better defended than they first appear. The lack of a single par 5 means there is no breather; every hole is a question.

The closing holes return you toward the firth and the clubhouse, and a strong finish requires two well struck shots into wind on more than one occasion. It is a layout that rewards the thinking golfer and the straight hitter over the bomber, which is exactly the Colt signature, and it leaves most visitors planning a return before they have reached the car park.

Where to stay nearby

Longniddry sits in the heart of Scotland's Golf Coast, so the natural base is the string of East Lothian towns along the firth. Gullane and North Berwick both offer characterful inns and small hotels within a short drive, putting you within reach of a dozen first class courses from one bed.

For a grander stay, the country house hotels of the county and the wider Edinburgh hotel scene are both within easy range, the city itself only half an hour away. Build a few nights here and you can pair Longniddry with Muirfield, Gullane and North Berwick for one of the great concentrated golf weeks in Britain.

Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Longniddry.