East Lothian coast · Which to play
Archerfield Fidra Links vs Craigielaw Golf Club
Two East Lothian links a stone's throw apart — which makes the better second round on a Gullane trip?
| Archerfield Fidra Links | Craigielaw Golf Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Green fee (2026) | £135–£185 | £60–£160 |
| Location | Dirleton, East Lothian | Aberlady, East Lothian |
| Region | East Lothian | East Lothian |
| Type | Links | Links |
| Holes / par | 18 · par 72 | 18 · par 71 |
| Designer | DJ Russell (Scottish former pro) | Donald Steel & Co., 2001 |
The verdict
Which should you play?
These two sit within a few miles of each other on the Aberlady–Dirleton coast and both trade below the Gullane and Muirfield tier. Craigielaw (Donald Steel, 2001) is the more traditional, wind-exposed, firm-and-fast links — a members' club with a warm welcome and a genuinely good test. Archerfield's Fidra course is the resort option: sheltered among trees and dunes, more manicured, part of a slicker operation with the Renaissance next door.
Craigielaw is the better links-purist's round and often the friendlier bill. Fidra is the more comfortable, more sheltered day if the wind's up or you want the resort polish and a decent lunch afterwards. Neither is a bucket-list course — both are exactly the kind of solid, honest East Lothian round that fills out a coast-hopping golf trip.
Pick this one if…
Archerfield Fidra Links
You want shelter from the wind, resort facilities, and a smoother, more forgiving links.
Pick this one if…
Craigielaw Golf Club
You want the firmer, more exposed, more traditional links test and a members'-club welcome.
Green fees are the clubs' published 2026 visitor rates, shown as a range from the cheapest to the dearest tee time. They change; always confirm on the course profile before you book. We don't take a cut of your green fee — the verdict above is ours, not the pro shop's.
More: which should you play?