Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to East Lothian next weekend for the Genesis Scottish Open, which returns to the Renaissance Club for the fourth consecutive year, from 7-10 July.

And from August 4-7, Muirfield plays host to the AIG Women’s Open.

It will be the first time since 2019 that both tournaments will be fully open to spectators, following the limited numbers allowed to attend last year.

Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said: “There can be no better venue for these two hugely important tournaments than Scotland’s Golf Coast so I am delighted to be able to welcome them back this year – and at full capacity in terms of visitors as we continue to recover from the pandemic.

“They are an important showcase for all that East Lothian has to offer, bringing our wonderful county to a global TV audience. And, of course, giving us the chance to show off our fantastic offering for visitors first-hand. Having some of the world’s top golfers here, as well as many thousands of spectators, is also an enormous boost to our local economy with the hospitality industry set to receive a welcome increase in trade. Of course, it’s important to manage visitors to our coast responsibly, so we have been working with tournament organisers and our local communities to encourage sustainable transport choices but also to manage the inevitable flow of traffic.”

During both the Genesis Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s Open arrangements are in place to enhance road user safety including a 30mph speed restriction on the A198 and some parking restrictions in Dirleton, Longniddry and Aberlady.

To support the use of sustainable travel and public transport a free shuttle bus service will operate between Longniddry railway station and the venue on each day of the tournaments and scheduled bus services (X5 and 124) will stop near the entrance.

There is no public parking at the venues; spectators traveling by car will find parking at Muirfield Fields on the A198 between Gullane and Dirleton, a short walk from both venues.

In more detail, traffic restrictions are:

  • There will be no parking, loading or unloading on Aberlady High Street, the B1377 at Longniddry (past the train station) and part of the A198 at Dirleton, running past the entrance to Archerfield Estate, and part of Main Road (B1345) and Village Green Road in Dirleton between 6am and 11pm from July 6-10 and August 4-7.
  • There will be no parking, loading or unloading at key times on some other roads in these villages, including Kitchener Crescent and Wemyss Terrace, Longniddry.
  • A temporary 30mph speed limit will be in place on parts of the A198 at Dirleton and the A198 and B1377 at Longniddry between July 6-10 and August 4-7. 
Published: Friday, 1st July 2022