Edinburgh and East Lothian

St. Andrews may hold the designation, but the courses of the Edinburgh area and East Lothian make a strong case as the true birthplace of the game. The two oldest golf clubs in the world reside here, one of which happened to write the original rules of the game. That club now serves as both a member of The Open rota and the cornerstone of a region affectionately known as “Scotland’s Golf Coast.”

There is no better experience for the dedicated golfer than a day at Muirfield, home course for The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. The history at Muirfield includes the original rules of golf and 16 Open Championships, yet it’s the tradition and heritage that almost oozes from the clubhouse walls which makes a day here border on the sublime. The best lunch in all of Scotland (coat & tie required) is bookended by 36-holes, with the second 18 played in alternate shot format. The end result is a one-of-a-kind experience that’s difficult to do capture on paper.

There is much more to golf in East Lothian, however, than just historic Muirfield. Close by you’ll find Gullane Golf Club, two-time host of the Scottish Open. So close, in fact, that the best view of Muirfield is actually found at one of the best tee shots in Scotland: the 7th tee of the #1 course at Gullane.

Nearby, the enigmatic West Links at the North Berwick Golf Club has captured the heart of golfers the world over thanks, in part, to a closing stretch of holes among the best in the game. And then there's Dunbar Golf Club, which offers a classic links golf experience in a sublime setting.

All of which makes the Edinburgh & East Lothian area one of the key destinations for Scotland golf trips.