Bruntsfield Links

Did someone say golf? Then you’ve come to the right place! Right here, spread out before you, are the Bruntsfield Links. These sprawling 35 acres are far more than just a pretty park. They are a living, breathing tapestry of Edinburgh’s history, a place where echoes of the past mingle with the laughter of children playing. The name ‘Links’ itself is a bit of a giveaway. It’s a Scots word for open ground, especially near the sea, where golf was played. While Bruntsfield Links isn’t by the sea, it holds claim to being one of the earliest known places where golf was played in Scotland. Imagine, if you will, King James IV himself reviewing his troops on this very ground back in 1513. Before the fateful Battle of Flodden, this was part of the Borough Muir, a vast woodland teeming with deer and, rumour has it, a few outlaws! Over the centuries, Bruntsfield Links has seen it all. From quarrymen extracting sandstone to build Edinburgh’s iconic tenements to the elegant swings of golfers from the Royal Burgess Golfing Society, founded in 1735. This wasn’t just a pastime, mind you. The Bruntsfield Links’ golfing heritage is so ingrained that even Sir Walter Scott himself was forbidden from drilling his troops here! Today, you can still hear the tap, tap, tap of golf balls as enthusiasts play on the 36-hole Short Hole Golf Course. Bruntsfield Links is a testament to the enduring spirit of Edinburgh. A place where history, recreation, and a love for the game of golf all come together.