A FREE park and ride service will ferry visitors to this year’s Scottish Open from a giant public car park on the east of Gullane through the village.

Some of golf’s biggest stars – including Rory McIlroy, defending champion Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson – will be competing at the tournament at Gullane Golf Club, July 9-12.

And the European Tour is holding a Pro-Am competition at the course on Wednesday, July 8.

Now, organisers have unveiled plans to create a 4,000-space car park in two fields to the north of the A198, between Duncur Road and Archerfield Estate.

Buses will transport people from the car park, next to Muirfield Golf Course, less than a mile to the west side of the village, in a bid to keep disruption to local residents and businesses to a minimum during the high-profile tournament.

The buses will collect people from the car park and take them halfway up Sandy Loan, where they will be able to walk a short distance to the Spectators Village.

Visitors to Gullane and the Scottish Open are being encouraged to enter the village from the east, via the A1 and Drem, rather than attempting to approach along the coast road from the west.

And a small short-stay car park is being opened behind the Old Smiddy gift shop, on Gullane Main Street, to allow residents access to local shops and services when the golf tournament is on.

The car park, which will be manned by traffic management staff provided by organisers, will also be free to use.

A one-way system will operate on a number of streets including Sandy Loan, Saltcoats Road and East Links Road, in an effort to keep traffic moving and allow buses to park on Sandy Loan.

During the tournament, there will be a manned crossing at the West Links Road entrance to the site.

Travellers are being encouraged to come off the A1 at Oak Tree Junction, Haddington, then head north on the A6137 – following signs for Aberlady – and take the B1377 towards Drem and then the B1345 before reaching the A198 near Dirleton.

Organisers have stressed there will be no public parking at Gullane Golf Club and a 100-metre long screen will be erected between the course and the main coast road to avoid traffic distracting players.

There will be free shuttle buses running from North Berwick Railway Station to the event Peter Adams, tournament director, said: “Every effort has been made to minimise travel disruption, both for spectators and local residents.

“The event is among the most prestigious in world golf and increasingly popular, attracting some of the biggest names in the sport to Scotland.” Meanwhile, police have warned people to remember the county’s bye laws about drinking in public.

Inspector Alan Hogarth said: “Anyone drinking in the street will be stopped. We are also reminding people the Scottish Open is a glass-free zone and asking them to remember it is a family event and show moderation.” Councillor John McMillan, council spokesperson for economic development and tourism, said organisers had strived to ensure the area was not disrupted excessively.

He said: “The village and surrounding area are very much open for business and I’m sure if everyone follows the traffic advice, spectators will be able to get to the course easily and local businesses can benefit from the influx of visitors.” See East Lothian Council’s website for full details on the travel plan: eastlothian.gov.uk