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“What a Treat,
in Great Scotland.”
- Gary Player, 2007
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The Archefield House
Just a few miles east of Edinburgh, on the tranquil East Lothian coast, there’s a grand 16th Century mansion. It’s a wonderfully distinctive property, decorated to the highest order with a very personal approach to hospitality. This is no stuffy country house hotel or flashy resort. Quite simply, Archerfield House is what you want to make of it.
Adjacent to the main house, but no less special, are the Pavilions, a series of self-contained suites for those who prefer a more private space. Sumptuously appointed, the Pavilions are perfect for smaller parties or couples on a golfing getaway.
Archerfield is a magnificent estate situated between Gullane and North Berwick in picturesque East Lothian, Scotland. the land affords magnificent views of Fidra Island and the Fife coastline beyond. With its distinctive lighthouse and whitewashed stonework, it comes a little surprise that Fidra was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous book, “Treasure Island”.
Named after the archers of King Edward I who pitched their tents here during the English invasion of 1298, Archerfield estate has a fascinating story to tell. With names like the Earl of Ruthven, Mary, Queen Of Scots and Winston Churchill littering the pages of its history, its ancient past can still be seen in the form of a Scottish burial cairn now carefully preserved on the second hole of the Fidra course.
The Experience
Not that its golfing past is any less historic; Situated between the 8th hole at Muirfield and the 9th at North Berwick, it is believed that golf has been played over this land for five centuries or more. What is certain, is that inhabitants of Archerfield House and their hardworking staff enjoyed a game of golf here throughout the second half of the 19th century on the original 13-hole course. Indeed, it was such a desirable place to play that local reverend, John Kerr, wrote in 1896 that:
“no snugger, cosier, more delightful links can be found anywhere.. For pure, unalloyed enjoyment of a summers day play give us Archerfield..”
With help from North Berwick professional, Ben Sayers, the course was extended to eighteen holes around 1910 and was later described by noted Times golf correspondent Bernard Darwin, “as the most enchanting short course in the world.”
Hidden away like a precious jewel it was brought back to life in relatively recent times. Today, the newly restored Archerfield House looks out on not one, but two superb David J. Russell designed golf courses – the Fidra and the Dirleton. In keeping with the abundance of majestic flora and fauna the course designer has worked diligently to achieve a seamless alliance with nature. The result is a golfing experience with timeless appeal. A superb mixture of sandy links and pine forest, historic Archerfield has truly been reborn.
*An affiliate property is made available to Markers’ members through a formal agreement with another organization of similar standards, allowing members the opportunity to enjoy new destinations at a significantly reduced cost and give input to Club management as to whether they would like to see these destinations permanently added to The Markers portfolio.
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