Musselburgh Links

Last round of the trip and it’s a good one!

The Musselburgh course is the oldest still played on. The earliest recording of golf being played at this location is of Sir John Foulis of Ravelston a match in 1672. There are suggestions that Mary Queen of Scots played here even earlier in 1567. The course has hosted five Opens with the local ‘Park’ family winning three.

The courses’ nine holes are played inside a racetrack. We had an early tee time as there was an afternoon horse race. We rented hickory clubs for the round – an unusual experience! I missed what would have been an award-winning video – a lady in the group in front of us lost control of her motorized cart. The chase was on for a good 100 yards.

The historic clubhouse is a living museum and was open for beverages and touring. After a few pints at the club we took a walk through Musselburgh to the famous Stagg pub. Stagg is a CAMRA favorite and perennial ‘best pub’ of East Lothian. Great interior & a fine selection of cask ales.

Dinner was back in North Berwick at the Ship Inn afterwards we headed back to the Lodge. Emma had stocked a small fridge for us with Belhaven which we needed to tidy up. There may have been a wee bit of whisky involved too. After a while, Tom & Emma joined us. Nice.