East Lothian 's return to the world stage as the host of two prestigious golf tournaments has been welcomed by councillors.
The county, which is known as Scotland's Golf Coast, will welcome the Scottish Open to the Renaissance Club, Dirleton, next month and the Women's Open to Muirfield, Gullane, in August.
And at a meeting of the council's minority Labour administration's cabinet, the sporting events were welcomed.
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Councillors agreed to approve temporary exemption orders for the clubs which will remove the public's right of access during the tournaments.
The local authority's sport, countryside and leisure services manager Eamon John, said the order was to protect the safety of players and the public during the event as well as allowing entry to be controlled.
And he welcomed the summer golfing tournaments which will be broadcast across the world saying: "It is encouraging we are able to return to this level of event post pandemic."
It will be the fourth time the Scottish Open has been held at the club in as many years.
The AIG Women's Open comes to Muirfield for the first time in a historic first for the club which only voted to allow female members in 2017 - previously they had only been allowed to play the course as guests or visitors.
Councillor Colin McGinn, cabinet member, said he was delighted the prestigious golfing competitions would be in the county this summer.
He said: "There are world events and to be able to show East Lothian on a world stage is a fantastic opportunity."
Councillors were told the order removing the public right of access to the course during the tournaments fitted Scottish Government guidance and consultations had been carried out with East Lothian Local Access Forum. Gullane Area Community Council, NatureScot, North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership, Dirleton Village Association and The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers with no concern raised.
They voted unanimously to allow the exemption order during the contests.
