Gullane between golf history and coast

Gullane offers several distinct starting points for a trip: golf history, the coast and walking routes. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether you want your stay to focus on golf or on time at the beach and on walking routes. This makes it easier to choose a destination based on the activities you actually plan to do.

Golf history, museum and golf courses

The Heritage of Golf Museum in Gullane traces the development of the sport of golf and the craft of East Lothian’s early clubmakers. Its scope ranges from the sport itself to the craftsmanship involved in making early clubs. Visits are by prior appointment only; you can book a visit by phone on +44 (0) 1620 842 744. As the appointment arrangements may change, confirm your booking in advance.

Gullane No.2 and Gullane No.3 can be distinguished by their dates: No.2 was designed by Willie Park Jnr in 1898, while No.3 opened in 1910. The years therefore refer to different events—the design of one course and the opening of the other. Gullane Golf Club offers booking options for individual rounds on the respective courses, a day ticket or a combined package. Check the current options before planning, as they may change.

The Gullane Children’s Course has six holes and can be played by any child at any time, free of charge.

Coast and walking routes

Gullane Bents is a wide sandy bay, ideal for walking. A path behind Gullane Bents runs through the sand dunes. A beach walk and a dune path are therefore two distinct options along this stretch of coast.

The Gullane Circular is a signed route that takes in Gullane Hill and the golf course; it follows grassy paths and tracks as well as a sandy beach. Unlike a walk focused on the beach, the circular route covers several types of terrain. When planning an outing, you can choose between a beach walk and a circular route that also passes over the hill and through the golf course.

Getting there and local history

The car park for Gullane Bents is signposted from the A198 coastal road at the western end of the village of Gullane. East Coast Buses runs through the village; Gullane Bents is a ten-minute walk from there. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable in advance, as service information may change.

St Andrew’s Kirk in Gullane is designated a Scheduled Monument. This is a different kind of historical reference from the dates associated with the golf courses: there, the focus is on design and opening dates, while for the Kirk it is the monument designation. This distinction offers another way to understand Gullane not only through its golf history, but also through its heritage designation.

Discover more destinations: Dunbar, Kirknewton, Uphall, Bathgate, Pumpherston, Armadale, Whitburn, Pencaitland

For the broader travel overview: Lothian.