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Castlecraig Golf Club, Nigg, Cromarty, Highland. (1890 - 1950s)

Founded 1890.

The club switched titles throughout its existence, using the names Castlecraig, Nigg and sometimes Cromarty Golf Club.

Originally a 9-hole course with natural hazards, fine seaside turf and surrounded by beautiful scenery. The course was extended to 18-holes in 1908 with a course laid out by Chief-Constable Alexander  Machardy, a renowned golf course architect.

Thanks to regular visits by the Home Fleet to Invergordon, Sunday play was allowed on the course until 1908 when it was decided to cease play on Sundays. 

Alexander Polson, schoolmaster at Nigg at the time, described the early eighteen-hole course as follows: “There is a convenient little clubhouse fitted with lockers. The course is excellent and is capable of great development and improvement. The soil is sand and inclined to moss, making the surface rather soft. The greens are excellent and have been formed from the natural turf and are good evidence of what can be made of it by care and attention. The holes provide plenty of variety with regard to length and difficulty. There are two splendid short holes, surrounded by natural hazards, a ditch having to be crossed in each case. About eight of the holes may be reached by the long player with two strokes, but for the average player they mean three. Three of the holes are three shot holes, the others drive and an iron or drive and a pitch. The hazards throughout are natural, there being only one or two artificial bunkers. They consist of hillocks, ditches sandy patches with bent and rough ground usually to punish the unwary player who leaves the fairway.

Description of holes – the first is a three shot hole to the ordinary player, but may be reached by two extra good strokes. The fairway lies over undulating country with a wide sandy gully to trap a topped drive. The second or Sea Hole is a plateau, guarded in front by a deep gully, while beyond lies the beach. It can be reached by a drive and a short pitch. The third and fourth are new holes and still rather rough, but promise to become splendid holes. Here straight driving is essential as rough country lies on either side. The third or Quarry Hole usually requires three strokes and the drive must be carefully placed clear of a long ravine extending in the direction of the hole. Going to the fourth, rough ground and a road have to be carried from the tee after which the passage is easy. The green lies on a low plateau. The fifth or Spion Kop, is one of the familiar kind where the green lies on the top of a steep hill or escarpment. This escarpment is the line of the old beach when the sea stood higher than it is at present. On the way to it the player has to carry a fairly high hill with his drive, and at the same time avoid the quarry on the right. The sixth is the Short Hole, a massive shot over a deep hollow and ditch with the green on top of the bank beyond. At the seventh once more a ridge has to be crossed with the second. The eighth is flat, but two ditches have to be crossed on the way. At the ninth a ridge must be carried with the second, after which the green is within easy pitching distance. The outward half extends to 2660 yards and the bogey score is 40.

Coming home, the way to the tenth hole lies over a series of hillocks with a burn on the right all the way. Three shots are usually necessary to reach the green. The eleventh, a short hole, is a tricky iron shot with a ditch in front and on the left, a wall on the right and rough ground beyond. The twelfth is a drive and pitch with a burn to trap a topped drive. At the thirteenth or Long Hole we descend the old coast line and reach the the older part of the course, where the ground is firmer. A big natural bunker has to be carried with the second shot. The fourteenth hole lies in a cup and provides an admirable approach shot. At the fifteenth and sixteenth we again cross the burn. The sixteenth green is an undulating one on the side of a hill and requires a carefully placed approach if the succeeding putt is to stay near the hole. The seventeenth may be reached with a good drive. The last hole lies over undulating ground, the green being in a wide hollow near the clubhouse. The inward half is 2455 yards in length, making the total length 5055 yards. The bogey home is 40, making the bogey for the round 80”

The report below features two competitions played in September 1891.

From the Ross-shire Journal Friday 18 September 1891. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competition result from April 1892.

From "Golf" Friday 8 April 1892.

Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland Wednesday 17 May 1893. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From "Golf" Friday 25 May 1894; Cromarty; Nine-holes (fine sporting course). Castlecraig; Nine-holes (fair).

Competition result from September 1894.

Ross-shire Journal Friday 28 September 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Below is a report on a match played at Castlecraig against Invergordon Golf Club in August 1895.

From the Ross-shire Journal Friday 16 August 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Below is the result of a match between Fortrose Golf Club and Cromarty Golf Club played on the Chanonry course in July 1896.

Below is the result of another match against Fortrose played on the Castlecraig course in August 1898. The home side playing under the name of Cromarty.

From the Inverness Courier Tuesday 16 August 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The half yearly meeting of the Castlecriag Golf Club was held in the Ferry Inn in September 1903, Colonel Maxwell in the chair. It was unanimously agreed that the club return thanks to Colonel Davidson for his excellent plan of the golf course. Play for the handsome cup, presented by Col. Ross of Cromarty, president of the club, afterwards took place. Result; W C Green, 101-25-76; Provost Junor, 93-12-81; John Junor, 92-10-82; Mr Nuttall, 89-5-84; J T Thomson, 95-10-85; George Ross, 92 scratch.

Report on the course in October 1903.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 10 October 1903 Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Ordnance Survey Map below shows the location of the golf course in the 1900s.

O.S. Map Revised 1904; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1907}.

The following is taken from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Secretary, D Junor, Cromarty; Captain, Col. Maxwell; Entry fee 10/- and subs 5/-; 9-holes; Membership of 40; Visitors' fees 2/- a week. A very sporting course, with natural hazards and fine seaside turf, and surrounded by beautiful scenery. 

It was reported in march 1905 that a new course was being made. The holes would be longer and more difficult than formerly making a splendid course.

The annual meeting of the Castlecraig Golf Club was held at the Nigg Hotel on Saturday 20 April 1907. The annual report showed that the club was in a very flourishing condition. The following office-bearers were appointed; President - Colonel Ross, Cromarty; Vice-president - G E Romanes, Pitcalzean; Captain - Colonel Maxwell, Castlecraig Lodge; Secretary and treasurer - D Junor, Cromarty.

The annual meeting was held at the Ferry Inn in April 1908, T M Murray took the chair. The following officers were elected; President, Col. Ross; Vice-presidents; G E Romanes and T M Murray; Captain, Colonel Maxwell; Secretary and treasurer, Provost Junor; Greens committee; Col. Maxwell and Mr Rose.

It was reported in June 1908 that Sunday play was to cease in the Highlands. Since the fleets began to visit the Cromarty Firth officers regularly played over the Nigg course on Sundays.

It was reported in October 1908 that the course had been extended to eighteen-holes. The course was laid out by Chief Constable Machardy, Inverness.

In May 1910 the Challenge Cup presented by Colonel Ross of Cromarty was won by Mr J A Ross with a score of 80, runner-up was Mr Rose. In the ladies' competition Miss Wilson was the winner, Miss Lizzie Middleton was second.  

In 1914 club membership was 80. Entry fees were 10/- and subs £1. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 2/6d a week and 10/- a month. Sunday play was not allowed.

In 1922 club membership had reduced to 36. Visitors’ fees were now 2/- a day, 5/- a week, 7/6d a fortnight and 10/6d a month. There were special terms for naval or military officers and wives who paid 10/6 a season.

Annual competition played in September 1922.

Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland Wednesday 27 September 1922. Image © Highland News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In August 1936 a successful sale and fete was held at Nigg to raise funds for the golf club. The sale was opened by Lady Gascoigne, Dunskaith, who was thanked by Lady Ross of Cromarty. Nearly £80 was raised. The Cromarty Pipe and Drum Band provided the music. 

Below Mr Duff Cooper, First Lord of the Admiralty, paid a visit to the Fleet in the Cromarty Firth in September 1937. The picture shows him driving off during a round of golf on the Castlecraig, Nigg, golf course.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Tuesday 14 September 1937. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Seven players competed for the Ross Cup (Old) in October 1937. Dr Gillanders, Cromarty, was the winner with a score of 83-10-73. Three players tied for second place; George Rose, postmaster, Nigg, 87-10-77; A Skinner, Balnabruaich, 90-13-77; Christopher MacKenzie, Nigg Ferry, 77 scratch.

Below officers of the Home Fleet playing on the Castlecraig course in September 1938

From the Sketch Wednesday 28 September 1938. Images © Illustrated London News Group.

In 1940 there was an increase in visitors’ fees to 7/6d a week, 10/-a fortnight and 15/- a month.

In May 1941 a competition took place for a medal presented Mr G St Quentin, Cromarty, result; J M Couper, 88-8-80; J A Ross, 90-8-82; J Dempster, 101-18-83; Dr Crerar, 101-16-85; J Middleton, 105-25-90; Captain Lucas, 92 scratch.

During the 1940s the 18-holes had a SSS of 70 and measured 5,116yds. The clubhouse was not licensed but drinks and meals were available at the Inn 50 yards from the clubhouse.  The station at Nigg was 6 miles away and there was a ferry to Cromarty, by motor launch 10 minutes. Local hotels were the Nigg and Royal.

The course was reduced to 9-holes following WWII.

North Star and Farmers' Chronicle Saturday 29 June 1946 - "Lying dormant and completely unattended throughout the late war, great endeavours have recently been made to recondition the Castlecriag Golf Course, with the result that an excellent nine-hole course is again in being. The course has now been officially opened for the season. There was a good number of old and new members in attendance. A brief speech was made by the club captain, Lieutenant W A Parsons, R.N., who reviewed the club affairs from 1938 onwards, and thanked all who had done so much to resurrect the course. He also expressed the hope that enthusiasm would be maintained and that many new members would be enrolled. The Spring Medal competition was held, fourteen members taking part. J G Ross was the winner returning a 74net."

In July 1946 the Chater Medal and Salversen Cup were played. The former was won by J G Ross, and the latter by R Mackenzie.

The annual meeting was held in the clubhouse on Thursday 10 May 1947. The following officers were elected; President, Sir J Dick Lauder, Bart.; Vice-president, Brigadier General A A Middleton; Captain, Lieut. W A Parsons, R.N.; Secretary, J W Castle; Treasurer, M Heddie; Committee - Mrs C Mackenzie, Dr Gillanders and J S Reay. 

The first competition of the season in May 1947, the Spring Cup, was won by Dr Gillanders, 72; Runner-up, R Mackenzie, 75.

Result of the "Fleet Cup" played in August 1947; Dr K Gillanders, 74; Runner-up, C Mackenzie, 76.

From the North Star and Farmers' Chronicle Saturday 27 September 1947 - "At a special general meeting of the Castlecraig Golf Club, under the chairmanship of Brigadier-General A A Middleton, it was decided that, in view of the weak finacial position, the club would be closed until the spring. A vote of thanks to the club professional and green-keeper, A Ross of Nigg, was recorded in the minutes for his splendid work in restoring the links to their present first-class condition after six years of occupation by the Services."

From the North Star and Farmers' Chronicle Saturday 18 October 1947 - "Castlecraig golf course will close for the season on 25 October, but it will still be possible in need of practice to play round the links, although the services of the professional and the green-keeper will not be available. Regarding the links, it is extremely disheartening to witness the way in which the hard work put in by the green-keeper is being ruined by cattle which stray from a neighbouring farm, aided by a band of semi-wild horses which seem to roam the country at will. It has been suggested that the local butchers might take the ponies as a source of supply to augment our present meagre rations!"

The club officially opened for the season in June 1948 with the competition for the Spring Medal won by C Mackenzie. A Ross was the runner-up.

Result of the Layter Medal played in July 1948; Winner, A Ross,76; Runner-up, A Skinner, 78.  

From the North Star and Farmers' Chronicle Saturday 14 May 1949 - "The annual general meeting of the Castlecraig Golf Club was held in the Clubhouse on Saturday 7 May, under the chairmanship of Colonel J D N Ross. The following office-bearers were elected; President; Lieut. Col. G D N Ross; Vice-president; Commander Westmacott; Club captain; Mrs E Linklater; Playing captain, A Ross; Secretary, W Clark; Treasurer; D A Cameron, Commercial Bank, Cromarty; Committee - Mrs C Mackenzie, Messrs., A Skinner, A R Burgess, G Montgomery and R Mackenzie. In view of the very high prices of golf equipment, which was doubtless acting as a deterrant to young folk desiring to play, it was decided to appeal for any old or surplus clubs for the use of juniors. Such clubs would be available at the clubhouse as and when required."

It was announced at the annual meeting in April 1951 that play would shortly resume on completion of work now being carried out on the course. Former members and prospective members were invited to apply for membership to the secretary, Ferry Hotel, Nigg. 

From the North Star and Farmers' Chronicle Saturday 22 August 1953 - "Golf Club Revival - Plans for the revival of the Castlecraig Golf Club were made at a meeting in Castlecraig Golf Clubhouse, Nigg, last Friday. The following office bearers were elected; Captain, Mrs E Linklater; Secretary, Mrs A Nicolson; Treasurer, D Fraser, "Avondale"; Committee - Miss F Skinner, A Ross, A Fraser and A Skinner. Social functions will be held throughout the winter to raise funds for the club."

It was reported in May 1954 that the course was now open for play and intending members subscriptions to; Hon. Treasurer, D A Fraser, "Avondale," Nigg; Rates; Adults, 30 shillings; 16 to 20 years of age, 10s; Under 16, 5s; Family tickets; 60s.

From the North Star and Farmers' Chronicle Saturday 18 December 1954 - "Castlecraig Golf Course -  Castle Craig Golf Course, formed 80 years ago, will, after all, be kept open for another year. Recently the golf club committee decided, after a meeting, to close the club, because of the small membership, which made it impossible to carry on financially. But, at a meeting in NIgg Church Hall last Wednesday, it was felt that the course should be kept open for a further trial period of one year in the hope that membership would increase. The meeting also agreed that every effort should be made during that time to increase the club's funds. At a committee meeting after the public meeting, Mrs C Mackenzie, Pitcalnie, and Mr J Elliot, Nigg Ferry Hotel, were co-opted as members." 

Early post card of Castlecraig Golf Club. Author's collection

O.S. Map Revised 1938; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1949}.

Castlecraig Golf Club disappeared in the 1950s.

Thanks to Margaret Sykes of Gawsworth, Cheshire for this contribution in 2004 “ Late in 1990 I was given a small diamond shaped cut glass trinket box with an engraved silver top. It had been won by my friend’s grandmother. The inscription read – Ladies Golf Competition Castle Craig, First Prize won by Miss Gordon 1909”