The result of a second ballot allowing women members at Muirfield is expected to be announced

Last year, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which owns and runs Muirfield, to the east of Gullane, rejected proposals to change its constitution and allow female members.

The vote fell 14 shy of the two-thirds majority required to enforce change, despite the proposals being backed by the club's committee.

As a result, they were removed as a potential host of the Open Championship by organisers The R&A, while their stance was widely criticised by politicians, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. 

In the autumn, the Honourable Company announced plans for a second vote, and have now confirmed the decision is expected to be announced in "mid-March."

A statement from the club, to the east of Gullane, this morning (Thursday), added: "Voting in favour of the resolution to admit women as Members is recommended, unanimously, by the captain, captain nominate and the club committee of the Honourable Company."