Golf has been played on Gullane links for over 350 years. As far back as 1650, the weavers of Dirleton played the weavers of Aberlady annually on Old Handsel Monday. However, there was no organized club until early last century , when some local farmers banded together to play golf. This club became defunct about the end of the feather ball period (1848) but it was resuscitated in 1859 and, as the East Lothian Golf Club, still holds meetings today at Gullane. The oldest club in continuous existence at Gullane is Dirleton Castle, founded in 1854 by “shopkeepers, working me and artisans.” Weavers, farmers; artisans; their appreciation of Nature’s golfing bounty at Gullane has spread worldwide. Golf on Gullane Hill was a lucky combination of wind, sand, rock, rabbits, wool, feathers and gum. ARCHIE BAIRD