Scotland's golf coast, half an hour east of Edinburgh: more than twenty links courses along one stretch of sand, anchored by Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane, with a town to walk back to every evening.
Photo: Muirfield, East Lothian via Google.
East Lothian is the densest run of great links in the world, and it suits the golfer who wants quantity and quality without a single long transfer. From the edge of Edinburgh the courses unspool east along the Firth of Forth, North Berwick, Gullane, Muirfield, Dunbar and a dozen more, so a group can play a different links every day and still be back in a harbour town for dinner. It is ideal for buddies trips and serious golfers who measure a holiday in rounds rather than spa treatments.
The headline is Muirfield, home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and one of the finest courses on the Open rota. Build the week around a Muirfield tee time, fill the rest with North Berwick's eccentric West Links and the three Gullane courses, and add the Renaissance Club or Archerfield if the budget stretches. Edinburgh sits twenty five minutes away for a day off the course.
The home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and a sixteen time Open Championship host. A clever two loop routing means the wind never sits the same way twice. Visitor play is limited, usually to Tuesdays and Thursdays, so plan it first and everything else around it.
One of the oldest courses still played over its original ground, and the most copied. The par three 15th, the Redan, has been borrowed by architects the world over, and stone walls, blind shots and the beach all come into play. Quirky, joyful and a perfect counterpoint to Muirfield.
The pick of Gullane's three courses, climbing Gullane Hill for one of the great views in golf, the whole Firth of Forth laid out below. Firm, fast and walkable, it has hosted the Scottish Open and Open final qualifying. Nos. 2 and 3 fill out an easy day on the same turf.
Designers, dates and tournament history verified June 2026. Green fees are indicative third party figures for the 2026 season and change with demand. Always confirm directly before booking.
Fly into Edinburgh, transfer twenty five minutes to North Berwick or Gullane. An evening stroll on the West Links and dinner overlooking the harbour.
Ease into the trip on the most characterful links of the lot. Walk it, take a caddie, and let the Redan and the stone wall do their work.
The marquee round, usually a Tuesday or Thursday. Lunch in the clubhouse if invited, then an afternoon nine at Gullane to wind down.
Climb Gullane Hill for the view of the Forth, or play the modern Renaissance Club next door, recent home of the Genesis Scottish Open.
A last seaside round at Dunbar or Kilspindie, then a half day in Edinburgh before an evening flight.
Drive times between the East Lothian courses are typically ten to twenty five minutes; Edinburgh is around twenty five to forty minutes by road.
| Style | Per person, 2026 | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Classic links week | From around £1,200 to £1,800 | 4 to 5 nights, 4 rounds at the mid tier links, transfers |
| Muirfield and the marquee courses | From around £2,200 to £3,500 | 5 nights, Muirfield plus North Berwick and Gullane, caddies |
| East Lothian and St Andrews combined | From around £3,000 upward | 7 nights split, links across both coasts |
Indicative third party operator ranges for the 2026 season, shown to set expectations only. We are a guide, not an operator, and never quote our own pricing. Always confirm directly before booking.
The East Lothian season runs May to September, with the firmest, fastest links from June to August and the longest evenings for a late nine. Spring and early autumn are quieter and better value. Muirfield is the constraint: apply one to two years ahead for a visitor tee time, and avoid the week of the Genesis Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club in July unless you intend to spectate.
Tell us the courses you want and roughly when. One concierge costs the whole trip to the head and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
May to September is the season, with the firmest links and longest days from June to August. Spring and early autumn are quieter and better value, though the coast is exposed and the wind can blow in any month.
Muirfield is the marquee course and a regular Open venue. North Berwick's West Links and Gullane No. 1 are the other two essential rounds, with the Renaissance Club, Dunbar and Archerfield rounding out a deep coast.
Well ahead. Muirfield admits visitors on limited days, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays, and applications often need to be made one to two years in advance, with handicap and dress requirements.
Indicative 2026 high season fees run to around 395 pounds at Muirfield and 200 to 250 pounds at North Berwick and Gullane No. 1, with Dunbar, Kilspindie and Musselburgh nearer 60 to 120 pounds. Confirm directly before booking.
Scottish links deals, new openings and the booking windows worth moving on first. Every other week.