Bruntsfield Links

Bruntsfield Links is 35 acres (14 ha) of open parkland in the Bruntsfield district of Edinburgh, immediately south-west of The Meadows. It is a green space in the middle of the city and one of the places most closely tied to the early history of golf.

Where is Bruntsfield Links and how do you get there?

The park lies south of the city centre, next to The Meadows. Together the two areas form a broad band of greenery that is easy to cross on foot from the Old Town towards Bruntsfield. Entry is free and unrestricted: it is a public open space, so no ticket or booking is needed.

Where does this green space come from?

Today's park is the last remnant of the old Burgh Muir, a large wooded area. In 1508 King James IV issued a decree to clear the woodland. Much of the timber went into timber-fronted houses and external stairs around the Lawnmarket and West Bow in the Old Town. Once the trees were gone, open common land remained, and it survives today.

Why does Bruntsfield Links matter to golfers?

Golf has been played on this common for centuries. The site is regarded as one of the oldest golfing grounds in the world, with play going back to the 15th century and possibly earlier. Records of golfers on the common date from 1695. Two well-known societies were associated with it: the Royal Burgess Golfing Society, founded in 1735, and the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society, founded in 1761. When the common became too crowded, the clubs moved first to Musselburgh (in 1874 and 1876) and later to Barnton (in 1895 and 1898).

Can you play golf here today?

Yes. The Links hosts a 36-hole Short Hole Golf Course, established in 1890. Bruntsfield Short Hole Golf Club is the last club still playing over this distinctive layout. It is one of the few free courses in Scotland, but you need to bring your own clubs.

What else is there to do?

The park is popular with dog walkers and with locals looking for a break on the grass. Historical re-enactment societies also use it as a practice ground. For visitors it makes an easy stop for a walk, a picnic or a short rest between sightseeing in the Old Town and the neighbourhoods to the south.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bruntsfield Links free to enter? Yes, it is a public park open to everyone.

Can I play golf here? Yes, on the 36-hole Short Hole Golf Course. It is free, but bring your own clubs.

How big is the park? It covers 35 acres, around 14 hectares.

Where exactly is it? In Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, south-west of The Meadows.

Is it really one of the oldest golfing sites? Golf has been played here for centuries, and the earliest records of golfers on the common date from 1695.