Aberlady

Golf has long been associated with East Lothian; the earliest course being at Musselburgh, where Mary Queen of Scots is reputed to have played in 1567. King James V was a frequent visitor to Aberlady, ostensibly for "the archery and golfing," although his attendance on the Ladies of Gosford was also reputed to be a factor. The course at Aberlady was then known as the Wanster Course, and occupied some of the land now forming part of the Kilspindie Course (holes 7 - 11.)

In 1896 the Rev. John Kerr (the minister at nearby Dirleton) wrote a "Golf Book of East Lothian" which tells of some Aberlady natives walking from Glasgow by night to enjoy a game on Hansel Monday (the first Monday of the New Year, then a general holiday) with their friends still in Aberlady, and then returning also by foot! The Hansel Monday competition was a major event until its discontinuance in 1894. The event was resurrected in 1994 by Aberlady Golf Club.

In 1912 Aberlady Golf Club was formed as an "artisans" club linked to Kilspindie Golf Club, but with membership restricted to men living in Aberlady. The Club has playing rights at Kilspindie and is open to 30 villagers, plus full members of Kilspindie who also live in Aberlady. The Club still flourishes and is one of the focal points of Aberlady social life.

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