There is elasticity and spring about the Gullane turf that you seldom find anywhere else; and as for the putting greens, even with all the wear and tear of a season's play, where will you find their marrow? Then, have you anywhere in all the world such delightful 'heichs and howes' giving relief to the muscles, variety to the battle, and sustaining the interest, as you have at Gullane? There is no unpardonable monotony here. You never tire. As our lamented friend John Thomson sang:-
It's up the hill, it's down the hil,
And roun' the hill, an a' man;
To Gullane Hill, wi' richt guide will,
If yes can gowff ava, man.
The turf is soft as maiden's cheek,
Wi' youth and beauty bloomin';
And bonnie thyme, wi' odour sweet,
The caller air's perfumin'.
There's heights and howes, there's bosky knowes,
As far as the eye can cover;
By sea and land, a picture grand
Dame Nature shows her lover.
From "The Golf-Book Of East Lothian" - John Kerr, 1896