Archerfield House
Dirleton
East Lothian
EH39 5HQ

Located near North Berwick, just west of Dirleton, 18 miles from of Edinburgh, Archerfield House was built in the grounds of Dirleton Castle in the 1660s. It was extensively rebuilt in 1733; in 1790, the interior was remodelled by Robert Adam, with new ceilings and marble chimney-pieces. It is said that the house was the location of a meeting in the 1940s between Winston Churchill and US President Roosevelt to plan the D-Day landings, but this is unlikely. By the 1950s Archerfield had ceased to be a dwelling, and in 1962 its owner stripped out the interior to install a grain dryer. The building then became derelict until the end of the century. In 2001, a £55-million restoration and redevelopment project was begun, and the 500-acre estate now includes golf courses, a luxury hotel and housing.

Both the house and its setting are magnificent. The house sleeps up to 54 and can be booked exclusively per night for weddings, conferences or team-building exercises or just for a break with friends; this will include full Scottish breakfast, a three-course dinner and drinks. The 12 golf pavilions may be hired separately (for up to 24 people). Set within Archerfield Links with two stunning golf courses to play on, it is a golfer’s paradise. All guests staying in either the house or the pavilions can book limited tee times.

Meanwhile, at the house, guests may make of it whatever they wish. Each of the 15 restored and individually-designed bedrooms has a flat screen television and DVDs, internet access and an en-suite bathroom, many of them with roll-top baths. Most rooms have a wonderful view of Fidra Island (Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘ Treasure Island’).

The house is a perfect venue for corporate events, having a lovely meeting room with the latest IT facilities. The staff can also arrange all types of team-building exercises and corporate entertainment such as fishing or off-road driving, as well as golf on the two private members’ courses.

Kilspindie House Hotel ***
Main Street
Aberlady
EH32 0RE

Run by the owners of the well-established Ducks at Le Marché Noir restaurant in Edinburgh, this popular hotel has 26 rooms, all with en-suite facilities, and is renowned for its award-winning food and wine. There are two restaurants, and a function room for up to 90 people. Situated about 20 minutes away from Edinburgh, it is an ideal place for golfers and bird-watchers, being within easy reach of 21 golf courses and the wonderful bird life of Aberlady; in association with the Scottish ornithological society (SOC), Ducks can offer inclusive bird-watching packages which include dinner, bed and breakfast, guided walks and lectures by the SOC.

Greywalls ***
Muirfield
Gullane
EH31 2EG

Designed by Lutyens as a 'dignified holiday home', overlooking the Firth of Forth, Greywalls was built in 1901, near the championship golf course at Muirfield about 40-minutes from Edinburgh. His friend Gertrude Jekyll designed the beautiful walled gardens. Within the grounds, there are grass and hard tennis courts, a croquet lawn, gardens and terraces. Each of the 23 bedrooms is decorated and furnished individually with antiques. Five of the bedrooms are located within the grounds, four as part of the gate house lodges and one forming part of the walled gardens as Lutyens intended. The Colonel’s house, away from the main house, is self-contained for exclusive use, corporate hire or a family group, comprising four en-suite guest bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and small study. Rooms overlook Muirfield on one side and on the other the rolling hills of Lammermuir.

The public rooms of Greywalls are most elegant. The restaurant, overlooking the tenth tee at Muirfield, seats up to 40 guests and the smaller, private dining room will seat 20. The cuisine is prepared from fresh local produce; Scottish cheeses served with oatcakes are just one speciality. The small bar is well-stocked with the finest malt whiskies and cognacs, and a good selection of wines is available.

For the golfer, there are a many courses from which to choose.

Greywalls is available for corporate events, either by room or exclusively: the whole can house can be taken for conferences and special events, as required. The tailored package includes overnight accommodation and full Scottish Breakfast, lunch, dinner together with any conference rooms required. The Colonel’s House may be booked separately or taken as extra accommodation to the whole house reservation.

Macdonald Marine Hotel ***
Cromwell Road
North Berwick
EH39 4LZ

Voted 'Hotel of the Year' by the Golf Tourism Scotland Awards 2006, this castle-like resort hotel is situated in spacious grounds, overlooking the Firth of Forth. It had a multi-million pound refit in 2005. Each of the 83 refurbished bedrooms has an iron and ironing board, complimentary still & sparkling mineral water and deluxe bathrobes. Some are feature rooms, family rooms and four poster suites. Many have a sea view, and the superior bedrooms all have broadband internet access. Car parking is complimentary, and there is 24-hour room service . The Craigleith Restaurant serves good food made from fresh produce.

All public areas have been refurbished. One of the most recent additions is the Vital Leisure Club & Spa, which offers use of the 18-meter swimming pool, rock sauna, steam room & spa, relaxation suite, indoor & outdoor saltwater hydro pool, a 15-piece techno-gym, and a free weights area. Personal assessments are available by appointment and there are seven beauty-therapy suites.

There are six new meeting rooms and a brand new conference & banqueting suite to cater for groups of any size, up to 300 people. Facilities for IT are modern and staff attentive.