My son in law Nic joined Duddingston and invited me to play in June 2022. Naturally, being June in Scotland we got washed out after 7… .
Fortunately, we managed to re-arrange in September - and of course we got absolutely soaked again after 7 holes, but this time we soldiered on and the weather righted itself and we had a great time. As you can see from the map below, the location is fantastic for folks based in the City.
Duddingston area
This a link to the Club’s website: https://www.duddingstongolfclub.co.uk
The Club has been around for quite some time and is located in a spectacular setting in Edinburgh. This is from the Club’s website:
In the late 1800’s golf courses were being established all over Scotland and in 1895 the financial community set up the Insurance & Banking Golf Club at the Duddingston estate.
The land, part of a former deer estate, has many links with Scotland’s history including in 1745, prior to the Battle of Prestonpans, the encampment of the cavalry of Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie, in an area adjoining the course and known today as Cavalry Park.
Owned by the Duke of Abercorn the estate was set on the east flank of Edinburgh, beneath the spectacular backdrop of the 823 feet high extinct volcano Arthur’s Seat. The area was considered by the club’s founding architect Willie Park to be of a size that would make a “first class course”. Well over 100 years later those that have been fortunate enough to play it would surely agree. The course was extended in the 1960’s and 1970’s by John Shade and Bill Biggar and, with the addition of the new tee at the 12th hole, now measures 6525 yards – a true test of golf.
The gently undulating parkland course (in Gaelic Duddingston means ‘sunny side of the hill’) is maintained to a high standard throughout the year and is considered one of the most outstanding parkland courses in the Lothians.
Ronnie Shade is forever associated with the Club. His full name was: Ronnie David Bell Mitchell Shade which led to him being nicknamed “Right Down the Bloody Middle”. He was an amateur until in his 30’s, winning 5 Scottish Amateur events in succession. Poor guy had a fantastic game but sadly also died of stomach cancer at the age of 47.
This a link to a short video by Alastair McLean, the head pro, who talks about the course: https://www.duddingstongolfclub.co.uk/the_course_overview.
This is the Clubhouse, with its friendly Proshop and excellent bar staff. I can recommend the fruit scones.
Off the White tees the course is 6450m yards and rates 71.3/131 so it’s challenging. There has been some work done to improve drainage, but there’s a lot more required to get the course into really good shape. I guess the land gets a lot of water off Arthur’s seat. Duddingston is notable for its proximity to the now extinct volcano which offers excellent views of the City of Edinburgh, and a nice walk to get to the top. There needs to be a lot more drainage and tree removals to allow light. The Club just doesn’t have the cash to undertake the major restoration work required which is a pity as it lies on a really great piece of property. The back nine in particular is really excellent with some wonderful views of Arthur’s seat.
Here’s a couple of pics of the course form September 2022:
You can see how soaked we got but also just what marvelous views there are on the back 9 especially.
We managed to play again in July 2023, right before the Scottish Open and after a long spell of intensely dry and hot weather. Very unusual for Scotland. Here’s the views on this kind of day:
Pretty neat!
Aside from Prestonfield golf course, the area is also graced by The Royal Commonwealth pool, the Palace of Holyrood, The Scottish Government buildings, and some other famous sites, but none more so than The Sheep Heid Inn which is a favourite. It’s right at the red marker above. I spent many happy hours in there when I was supposed to be studying. Here’s a link to the place: https://www.thesheepheidedinburgh.co.uk/#/. It has so much to offer other than the brews, including dining and accommodation. And don’t forget to use the bowling alley.