Gullane (possibly from Scottish Gaelic Gualainn, meaning 'ridge') is a town on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth in East Lothian on the east coast of Scotland. There has been a church in the village since the ninth century. The ruins of the Old Church of St. Andrew built in the twelfth century can still be seen at the western entrance to the village; the church was abandoned after a series of sandstorms made it unusable, and Dirleton Parish Church took its place.
Gullane Bents, the village's award-winning beach, is backed by large sand dunes that in recent years have become rather overgrown by invasive shrubs like sea-buckthorn. Gullane is part of the John Muir Way, a long-distance footpath along the coast between Musselburgh and Dunglass.
The local population consists of many elderly people. Urbanisation has led to some recent housing developments, and Gullane is gaining popularity as a commuter village for nearby Edinburgh (twenty two miles away). Amenities include the village hall and a variety of shops including a chip shop, German bakery. There is a primary school, and local children attend secondary school five miles away in North Berwick. The Scottish Fire Service College was located on Gullane's Main Street.
Video Gullane
Buildings of Interest
Greywalls Hotel was built in 1901 to a design by Sir Edwin Lutyens; the gardens were designed by Gertrude Jekyll. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service formerly had? their training school based at Gullane (which was relocated to new buildings in Cambuslang in 2013).
Gullane War Memorial was erected in 1914, reflecting both the immediate loss of life to the community, but also the emotional impact. Although not unique in having such an early memorial it is nonetheless unusual. Names were added as the war continued. The monument was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer.
Maps Gullane
Golf
Gullane is the home of Muirfield which has hosted The Open Championship on numerous occasions, most recently in 2013. In addition to Muirfield, Gullane is the site of several other high-quality golf courses in the village and surrounding area. At the Gullane Golf Club, to which many local residents are members of, three interesting eighteen-hole links courses straddle a large grassed-over volcanic plug.
From the top of the hill on each course there is a fine view over Aberlady and Aberlady Bay towards Edinburgh and the Forth Bridge as well as the coast of Fife and the Lomond Hills. Internationally acclaimed artist Frank W Wood painted a magnificent view of Gullane in 1933.
Abutting Gullane Number 3 course is the Luffness Golf Club course and a Children's Course.
Notable residents
- Ronnie Corbett, comedian and TV personality (died in 2016).
- Andrew Driver, professional footballer Houston Dynamo
- Gavin Hastings, former Scotland Rugby Captain
- Quintin Jardine, celebrated crime novelist
- Sydney Mitchell, architect
- Darren Campbell, Philanthropist
See also
- Gullane railway station
- Scottish Fire Services College
- List of places in East Lothian
References
External links
- Gullane travel guide from Wikivoyage
- East Lothian Council - Walks around Gullane
Source of article : Wikipedia
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