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Kinloch Rannoch Golf Club, Perth & Kinross. (1900s - WW2)

Below a golf  course advertised by Loch Rannoch Hotel in May 1909.

From the Dundee Courier Tuesday 11tMay 1909 Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The secretary during the 1920s was Frank Emslie, The Schoolhouse, Kinloch Rannock. A nine-hole course, visitors’ fees were 1/- a day and 17/6d a month. The nearest Station was at Struan 13 miles away. Local hotel was the Bunrannoch which was the nearest to the golf course.

The following is an extract from a report that appeared in the Dundee Courier Thursday 10 August 1922.

“New Golf Course For Kinloch Rannoch – Opened by Sir Robert Maule - The beautiful district of Kinloch Rannoch yesterday afternoon had a long-felt want met when a new golf course was formally opened by Sir Robert Maule, Dalreoch House, who generously donated 100 guineas towards the cost.

The project was only taken up in earnest in the spring, and with Mr Frank Emslie, the enthusiastic secretary, at the head of affairs, ably assisted by the president, Dr Mossman, and Mr A Cameron. A suitable piece of ground was secured on favourable terms, on the Innerhadden Estate, to the south of the village, on which a sporting course of nine excellent holes has been laid out, which, it is hoped, may ultimately be extended to form a full eighteen-hole course.

Lying under the shadow of lofty Schiehallion, in the midst of purple moorland, and surrounded by the rugged Grampian hills, with the peaks of far-off Glencoe shining blue in the distance, there can be few links more picturesquely situated in Scotland than those of Kinloch Rannoch. Credit is due to Mr G Templeton, Annat, for the expeditious manner in which the ground was prepared, as the actual work was only started at the beginning of July.

The opening ceremony yesterday afternoon attracted a large and fashionable gathering, presided over by Dr Mossman. Sir Robert Maule was accompanied by Lady Maule, said that in his view the provision of a golf course was one of the best things that had been done in Kinloch Rannoch. He issued a challenge to any members of the club to come down to play on his own private course at Dalreoch. He thanked the subscribers for their support, and expressed gratitude of the community to Mr Emslie and Mr Cameron for their work in establishing the course, which he had pleasure in declaring open. Mr Emslie, on behalf of the members, presented Sir Robert with a silver mounted putter as a souvenir of the occasion. Sir Robert drove off a fine ball from the first tee amidst cheers. A competition followed, taken part in by members from local clubs, result; A D Cameron, Blair Atholl (10) 74; A Dunsire, Balwearie (4) 76; J Reid, Muir of Ord (14) 85.”

Following are the office bearers; President, Dr Mossman; vice-president, A Cameron; secretary and treasurer, Frank Emslie; committee – Rev W J Nicol, A McIntosh, C McGregor, D McDonald and J Trail.

Below is the result of a match played at Dalreoch (Dalriach) House private golf course in October 1924. The Dalreoch team was captained by Sir Robert Maule.

The Innerhaden Gold Medal was won in June 1926 by J W Scott, 80; runner-up was F Emslie, 81. Result of the monthly medal; P Traill, 78 net; C McGregor, 80; J W Scott, 80; F Emslie, 81.  

Below a concert and dance was held in the Jubilee Hall in July 1927 in aid of Kinloch Rannoch Golf Club funds. The club held many similar fund raising events.

The Dundee Courier Tuesday 26 July 1927. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created

Below is the result of another match played at the private course at Tummel Bridge, Dalriach, in September 1928. (Note the spelling of Dalriach - both versions of the spelling are used throughout)

Result of a mixed foursome played in July 1934. Winners were William Sneddon and Mrs Dawson, runners-up Jack Bell and Miss Austin.

The final of the Thomson Craig Cup was played in July 1936, D Milne (7) beat J D Scott (5) by 3 and 2. Result of a foursome competition; winners, D Kellock and J D Scott; runners-up, P Trail and J Bell; third, William Sneddon and Douglas MacDonald.  

Result of a mixed foursome played in September 1936. The prize was given by Mrs Wright of Grossmount, the winners were, J Murray and J D Scott, runners-up Mrs P Trail and A Wright.

The annual whist drive and prize presentation was held at the Jubilee Hall in November 1936, Mr J D Scott, secretary, presided. Major F B Mackinlay, Auchtibert, presented the trophies; Thomson Craik Cup – Mr D Milne; Greig Cup – William Sneddon; Major Mackinlay’s clock – Charles Macgregor.

Result of a foursome competition played in July 1937; winners, Jack Bell & Charles Robertson; second equal, William Sneddon & Miss K Stewart and Jas D Scott & Tom White; third, J F McGregor & D McPherson.

In May 1939 with a score of 67 J Hughes was the winner of the prize presented by the captain, J Bell. J D Scott beat Mrs Forbes Cameron in the final for the Mackinlay Trophy, presented by Major F B Mackinlay, J .P., Auchtibert. Scores in the Captain versus Secretary match; J Bell, 1 - J D Scott, 0; D Milne, 0 - J Hughes, 1; N Cameron, 1 - J Davidson, 0. 

Below competition results from August 1939.

From the Perthshire Advertiser Saturday 5 August 1939. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The following information on the course is provided by a former resident “I was brought up on the Innerhadden Estate and remember the remains of the greens and tees. The course covered the moor in front of Bunrannoch House as shown on the map but also stretched over the area to the west of Bunrannoch House with a tee on the edge of the hillside, which I remember as my brother and I used to walk to our Grandparent's cottage (Cuilmore) on a path which went behind Bunrannoch House. There were efforts to re-instate the course many years ago but they never materialised”

Kinloch Rannoch Golf Club was listed in the Golfer's Handbook until the late 1950s.

Location of the Kinlock Rannoch Golf Course. Ordance Survey © Crown Copyright {1927}