Welcome to Swanston Golf
(Home of the 2007 Scottish Amateur Champion - John
Gallagher)
[Latest start sheet
for 5th July Open]
Information pdf downloads:
The current course at Swanston is an 18 hole 5004 yard par 66 course located
at the foothills of the Pentlands entirely within the
Edinburgh City boundary, but 5 miles due south of the city
centre. It commands spectacular views to the north
across Edinburgh and is a great place for golf, but also
somewhere to relax in the countryside and enjoy the
views. Current course card
Swanston's signature 211 yard, par 3, 8th hole
Swanston is also the home of Swanston New Golf Club; both
members and visitors are welcome on the course and in
clubhouse.
In October 2007 the new clubhouse opened for use with a
full bar and catering service. A fitness suite and
function room will be available from early December. Please contact us
for more details. All the facilities are open to
members and non-members.
Swanston's new clubhouse (new short-course holes in
the background)
In 2008 six new holes will open for play on the
lower ground (previously farmland) ultimately replacing
six of the steeper holes in the original layout. Combined
with a few modifications to the remaining 12 holes the
new course will be 5,557 yards, par 68. New course card
All the existing holes will be in
play while the 6 new holes are maturing.
Also due to open in 2008 is a new 9 hole 'short-course'
and practice facilities. The 9 hole course is made
up of holes between 75 and 150 yards which is targeted at
junior golfers and new golfers of all ages. (See Short
Course for further information).
Existing Swanston 18 holes in foreground (5th green
visible), new Clubhouse and new holes behind (north-east).
With its undulating fairways and small plateau greens you
will soon discover that Swanston does not need length to
provide the difficulty factor.
Not one of the holes is lacking in character and the Hare
Burn, which traverses the course through a beautiful little
glade, provides a perfect natural hazard. By the card the
course looks simple but once underway you will find that
a misplaced shot will not be forgiven especially at the
seventh, a long par four, where the approach shot is not
for the faint-hearted. The par threes can be treacherous
- par all six and your on your way to a winning score. Although
the course is set in the Pentland Hills it is strategically
laid out so that comparatively little climbing is necessary
and when you reach the par three fifteenth you will be rewarded
with one of the most impressive views across the city of
Edinburgh.
The course, set in the heart of Robert Louis Stevenson country,
has a unique history dating back to 1927. At the first hole
a sliced approach will end up in the garden of the house where
the famous author lived and the tree, under which he used
to sit, grows closed to the tenth tee. In these inspiring
surroundings the adventures of Long John Silver and other
famous literary characters were conceived.
The original course's formation is attributable entirely to the enterprise
and foresight of Miss Margaret Carswell. Walking in the
Pentland Hills one day in 1927 she saw the possibilities
of the land. Having acquired a lease she began laying out
nine holes, which she extended to eighteen the following
year. Although she made all the major decisions herself
she was fortunate in having a first rate greenkeeper in
Herbert More to advise her. His wife Christina took care
of the catering and their son, John turned professional.
The current course record of 58 was set on Wednesday 14th
June 2006 by John Gallagher [Evening
News story].
