Join Cullerton’s local expert, Nicky Meikle, as she reveals why North Berwick offers the ultimate blend of luxury living and championship golf.
July comes with golfing fever, as the Genesis Scottish Open kicks off on the 9th of July at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, followed by the 153rd Open taking place at Royal Portrush from the 13th to the 20th of July.
In this month’s event blog, we are exploring the North Berwick golfing legend, Catriona Matthew’s home town and our very own local property consultant, Nicky Meikle, who talks all things golf and property in North Berwick.
Catriona Matthew is Scotland’s most accomplished female golfer. She won the 2009 Women’s British Open and was the first Scottish woman to win a major. A longtime LPGA Tour player, she has also captained Europe to consecutive Solheim Cup victories.
She was raised in the coastal town of North Berwick and still calls it home today.
Her golfing journey began on the town’s beloved nine-hole children’s course, the “wee course”. She started playing seriously around the age of seven or eight. That junior course, paired with summer competitions, gave her the perfect introduction to the game and sparked a lifelong passion. Though golf would eventually become her career, Matthew’s early years were filled with a range of sports, especially badminton, where she even represented Scotland at under-16 level before realising her real strength lay on the fairways.
Eventually, however, golf won out as her primary passion once she started excelling in it. Matthew commented in an interview in ladygolfer.com that she noticed in golf she “started winning those [East Lothian and Scottish Girls] competitions and realised that [she] was probably going to be better at golf than… at badminton.”
Growing up playing links golf in North Berwick helped shape her creative, adaptive style. The town’s challenging courses and windswept coastline became her classroom. Today, she still lives beside the course that started it all. In an article in Scottish Field magazine, she commented: “It’s [North Berwick] where I started, so it will always mean a lot to me.” A touching tribute to the place that helped forge a major champion.
A proud advocate for East Lothian, Nicky lives in North Berwick with her family and their two Goldendoodles, Murphy and Gus. Nicky has a distinguished background in real estate private equity, sales, and property consultancy after graduating with a Law degree from Aberdeen University.
We have asked her to tell us more about why North Berwick consistently ranks as one of the top property spots in the country:
“North Berwick offers a compelling mix of lifestyle, location, excellent schooling, diverse properties, a sprinkle of prestige, and of course world-class golf courses. Living here, I can be on the beach, playing a round of golf with spectacular views, enjoy some fine dining, and be in the heart of Edinburgh city centre in just half an hour. It is the ultimate location to enjoy the best of city and coastal living.”
Tell us a little more about the housing stock in North Berwick:
“Over 40% of North Berwick’s housing stock are detached properties, which is an unusually high figure. Many of these properties are either Victorian, Edwardian or Arts and Crafts – often with good garden space and sea/Law or golf course views. Period homes in North Berwick’s prime areas fall within the top-end market range, starting at over a million pounds. Modern extensions as well as new-build properties provide up-to-date accommodation that suits the way we prefer to live, work and socialise. The town has grown and adapted for residents and visitors alike.
The area also offers a wide selection of semi-detached and terraced period homes, usually offering 3 or 4 bedrooms. A range of quaint cottages, flats, and new build developments means that North Berwick’s housing stock caters to a large and varied demographic.”
You are a keen golfer and a member at The Glen Golf Club. Why is golf such a big attraction in North Berwick?
The iconic West Links is ranked in the top 30 golf courses in the World (which is a big deal!) and attracts visitors from far and wide as well as players much closer to home. The course offers stunning views and many of its famous holes have been replicated in some of the World’s greatest golf courses; hole 15 Redan being the most copied hole of all time. And it’s just not the West Links that shines. East Lothian has many other acclaimed historic golf courses to choose from; Muirfield, Dunbar, Gullane to name a few as well as the more recent additions of Renaissance, Archerfield and Craigielaw. Arguably, my own home club, The Glen or East Links as it’s known, has the best views and if you’re lucky you’ll spot dolphins swimming off the coast, and more recently Orcas!
The town of North Berwick is welcoming, hospitable and thrives under the attention golf brings to the region. And it’s not just a one trick pony. Sailing regattas, tennis tournaments, Fringe by the Sea and many smaller events all bring the community together with visitors in equal measure.
“For me there is only one standout property that encompasses beauty, history and prime location. I remember when I first visited the house, I had to stop the car as I drove through the gates as the view was so arresting. I looked out over the West Links and down the vast expanse of Broadsands beach towards Yellowcraig and the curve of the sea was just wow!
That property is Bunkershill, designed by Sir Robert Lorimer and built in 1906 using stone quarried from Dirleton. It’s been a privilege to be part of the passing of this great house from one custodian to the next. Bunkershill is beautiful inside as well as outside, but it is its connection to its setting that really makes it remarkable. The views are to die for.”
