Greywalls Hotel, Gullane, Edinburgh

Just outside the East Lothian golfing town of Gullane, overlooking the Firth of Forth and as close as you can get to the Muirfield championship course without actually sleeping on the greens. Edinburgh is only 30 minutes’ drive away and East Lothian has plenty to delight; Dirleton village with its castle ruins and distinctive dovecot, the popular seaside town of North Berwick and wild and windy Tantallon Castle are all less than 20 minutes' drive away. There are plenty of long walks and sandy beaches, too, if you like fresh air and exercise but are put off by putting.

Accommodation

The 23 individually decorated bedrooms continue the private house feel, but with classier bathrooms. The ‘King’s Loo’, built into the garden wall, offers more seclusion, as do the garden rooms. ‘Golfers' Rooms’ have terraces overlooking the links and sea while ‘Caddy Closets’ are perfect for lone golfing fanatics. 

Dining

Chez Roux Restaurant in Scotland reliably, extravagantly pleases with updated classics using good Scottish ingredients: roast salmon with fennel ravioli, pickled mooli and lobster sauce or venison with blue cheese gnocchi and almond skirlie. At breakfast time, do the Scottish thing and have whisky, brown sugar and cream porridge followed by venison sausages for breakfast. Food is served in the bar, but you’re unlikely to linger there while there are cosy fires in the panelled library and drawing room and the garden room and terrace to choose from.

Facilities

As well special golf packages (there are no fewer than 22 courses within 10 miles), there are other distractions: tennis courts and croquet, fishing, clay pigeon shooting and bicycles by arrangement (although you might find yourself reluctant to leave the gorgeous garden).