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Portree Golf Club, Isle of Skye. (1899 - 1950s)

The following report is from the Northern Chronicle dated July 19th 1899 and confirms the existence of an earlier club at Portree; “The energy and perseverance of those interested in golf in Portree have at last been rewarded with success, a highly satisfactory arrangement as to rent and compensation for damage having been come to with those who possess the right of grazing sheep and cattle on the land coveted by golfing enthusiasts. Since the golf club was started the “Fever” has spread rapidly. The course was opened for the first time last week, by Lady Macdonald. The weather was gloriously fine, and all Portree turned out to witness the opening ceremony. Mr Dugald Machlachlan, in a spirited address, spoke of the pleasures which are to be found in the game of golf, and said although it was Scotland’s national game it was now becoming popular in all parts of the world. In his opinion, it ranked far before cricket and football, for it could be played by persons of all ages and sexes, and yielded enjoyment without undue exertion. He thanked Lady Macdonald, on behalf of the club, for the great assistance she had given them in procuring a course, and invited her Ladyship to open the ground. Lady Macdonald, after performing the opening ceremony by driving the first ball, was heartily cheered. Mr John Macdonald thanked her Ladyship in appropriate terms on behalf of those present. The ceremony over, the players took a turn round the course, and made fair scoring”

It is obvious from the following report in September 1900 that the initial enthusiasm was waning; “The Portree Golf Course, which was opened last year, and which created such temporary enthusiasm is not being much utilised. The greens are in a rather neglected condition, and the marshy places, which should have been drained, have suffered and become much worse. It is hoped, however, that, if the weather during the autumn keeps dry, there will again be a return to the National Scottish Pastime”

The following is from the Ross-Shire Journal June 9th 1905 and this refers to the formation of a later club and course; “A suitable course has been formed at Portree. Suitable ground was kindly given by Mr Macdonald, Home Farm, about a mile to the west of the village, and a nine-hole course was opened on Saturday. The course is laid out, says a correspondent, in such a way to as to test the skill and prowess of the most expert, while the difficulties of the natural hazards, when successfully negotiated, are compensated for, by the excellence of the turf generally, and the daily improving condition of the greens. The competition was for a challenge medal, and a very interesting afternoon was spent”

The club founded in 1905 at Portree had a nine-hole, hilly course of 1,938 yards (SSS of 33), with lovely views over Portree Bay and the surrounding area. Membership was between 50 and 70. The first clubhouse (opened in October 1907) was unlicensed and there was no catering. Sunday play was not allowed. The port at Portree Pier was 1mile away. Kyle of Lochalsh was 2 ½ hours and Mallaig 4 hours away. Local hotels were the Royal and the Caledonian.

Result of the January 1906 monthly medal competition; Kenneth Macrae, 88; A Gillanders (vice-captain), 98; A Campbell, 104.

Following are the leading scores for the March 1906 monthly medal; Kenneth Macrae, 90; R Macdonald, 93; A Gillanders, 94; Mr J A H Mackenzie, 97; Mr D Boyd, 100.

In May 1907 the competition was held for Sheriff Campbell’s monthly gold medal was won by 15 year old Master Kenneth Gillanders, 94-10-84. The club silver medal was won by Mr A Gillanders with a score of 92.

The first round handicap competition for the Dewar Challenge Cup was also played for, result; Kenneth Gillanders, 94-10-84; John Orm, 98-8-90.

The winner of the competition for Sheriff Campbell’s monthly Gold Medal for January 1908 was Mr A Gillanders, Headmaster Higher Grade School, with a score of 86-8-78

In May 1908 the competition for Sir John Dewars Challenge Cup was concluded. William Kemp and the Hon. Clifford Kitson met in the final. In qualifying for the final Mr Kemp beat the following; Mr Murchison, A Gillanders, J A Cameron and Archibald Cameron. Mr Kitson beat; Mr Miller, K Macrae, Angus Ross;G Hoole. In the final Mr Kitson held his opponent by a narrow margin, until the 16^th hole, where Mr Kemp squared the game, and winning the last two holes, secured the trophy.

Below is the result of a match played against the Shinty Players in May 1908.

The annual general meeting was held in the reading room in January 1909. Mr Andrew Gillanders, vice-president, in the chair. The report showed that the club membership had increased during the year and the club in general was progressing well. The good results were mainly due to the efforts of the secretary, Mr J J Maclean who was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for his services during the past year.

The chairman made a fitting and sympathetic reference to the recent death of Dr John Dewar, who has been a member of the club since its formation.  

The following officers bearers were elected; President, Sheriff Campbell; vice-presidents, Mr Andrew Gillanders and Hon. Clifford Kitson; secretary and treasurer, Mr J J Maclean; captain, Mr Archibald Campbell; vice-captain, Mr A N Murchison; committee - John A Cameron, G Mackay Fraser, Kenneth Macrae, Donald Robertson, Angus Ross, James A H Mackenzie, A D Mackie, Alex Macmillan and Rev R Davidson; greens commitee, Messrs Gillanders, Maclean, Campbell and Murchison”

The tie for the President’s gold medal between Mr Murchison and Mr Mudie was played in February and resulted in a win for the former.

The July and August 1909 monthly medals were won by Rev Robert Davidson.

The annual meeting was held in the reading room in February 1911. The treasurer and secretary submitted his annual report. From the report the club the club seemed to be in a sound way financially. Officers for the year were appointed as follows; Hon. Presidents, Sir John Dewar, Bart and Sheriff Campbell, Portree; president, Mr A Gillanders; vice-president, Hon Clifford Kitson; captain, Mr A M Murchison; vice-captain, Mr J A Cameron; secretary and treasurer, Mr J J Maclean; committee - Rev Robert Davidson, A D Mudie, W J Robertson, R Kemp, A Ross and J Lees.

The final for the Sir John Dewar cup was played on Saturday 17th June 1911 when J A Cameron defeated A D Mudie, M.A. by 5 and 4.

At the annual meeting of the golf club in February 1912 the following office bearers were appointed:- Sir John A Dewar Bart, M.P., Sheriff Campbell and Mr Alexander Norris; president, Mr A Gillanders; vice-presidents, Hon. C Kitson and Rev H Gibson; captain, Mr A M Murchison; vice-captain Mr A D Mudie; greens committee - Messrs Cameron, Lees, Ross and the Secreatry; committee - Messrs A Ross, J A Cameron and W J Robertson.  Mr Alex Norris, Stirling, who was shortly to move back to the Isle presented a trophy for competition among the members.

The monthly competition for the Sheriff Campbell gold medal took place in April 1912. The winner was Mr A M Murchison, Caledonian Hotel, and, having won the medal another two times during the year, he became the permanent owner.

The second round of the tournament for the Campbell prizes was played in July 1912 when Mr Lees, Manager, Portree Woolen Factory, made the best score, 85-10-75.

In September 1912 Captain Moir, Montrose, presented a silver cup for competition amongst the Portree members. Captain Moir had been brought up in Portree and had been for many years a shipmaster in the foreign trade and had now retired.

In 1914 there was no entry fee. Subs for gents were 7/6d and ladies 5/-. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day and 5/- a month.

In 1923 visitors now paid 1/- a day, 3/6d a fortnight and 7/- a month.

From 1924 to 1927 visitors’ fees were now 1/6d a day, 5/- a week and 10/- a month.

The annual general meeting of the Portree Golf Club was held in April 1927 the reading room. Mr Adam, the President of the club, presided. The financial statement for the year showed a balance in hand, was submitted by the Treasurer, and adopted. The following office bearers were elected for the year; Hon. Presidents, Hon J C Kitson, Messrs A Norris and A M Murchison; president, Major D M Fraser; vice-president, Mr Angus Nicholson; captain, Mr K Gillanders; vice-captain, Mr J Mackenzie; secretary, Captain R Chisolm; treasurer, Mr J Gillies; management committee - R Mackenzie, K Gillanders, J A Mackenzie, A Mackinnon, D Macdougall, W Nicholson, A Robertson and the secretary; greens and handicap committee -  A M Murchison, D M Fraser, K Gillanders, W Nicholson, A Nicholson, J A Mackenzie and the Secretary. The secretary reported that several gentlemen had offered to present prizes to the club, and that Hon. J C Kitson had kindly given another gold medal for monthly competition. 

Below is the result of a match played at Dunvegan on Saturday May 28th 1927. 

In a handicap stroke competition on the Portree course played in June 1927 the prize winners were; J A Mackenzie (10); R Chisolm (scratch); W Nicholson (6). In a similar competition during the month, K Gillanders returned the remarkably low score of 69, which broke the record for the course by three strokes, result K Gillanders (scratch) and D M Fraser (6) were first and second respectively. 

The annual meeting was held in May 1928. Miss Mackenzie, secretary, produced the balance sheet which showed a healthy balance in hand. The following office-bearers were appointed for the ensuing year; President, Mr P Ross, Cromarty; vice-presidents; T M Murray, W S Edinburgh and P D Robertson; captain, D Malcolm MA, Cromarty; secretary, Miss Mackenzie; green committee – D Malcolm, D Junor, Chris Mackenzie, A Skinner and G Rose. The summer handicap was played for and was won by C Mackenzie, the well-known local player, with a score of 76-4-72. 

The final match in the Portree Ladies’ Golf Championship was played on Saturday 26th May 1928. The winner was Mrs J Sutherland and the runner-up Miss Ross. 

The first match in the golf competition for the Major Maclean Cup played in May 1929 resulted in a tie between Mr K Gillanders, National Bank, and Mr Ian Mackenzie, Sheriff Clerk Depute. The eventual winner was Mr Gillanders, who became the owner of the cup.

At the AGM in March 1930 the following officers were elected; President, Mr M J Swanney; Vice-President, Mr A MacCallum; Secretary, R Chisholm; Treasurer, I Mackenzie; Captain, Major D M Fraser. 

In 1935 and 1947, visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, 5/- a week and 10/- a month.

The exact closure date is still to be found, the course was still appearing on O.S maps in the 1950s.

A Valentine’s & Sons, Dundee & London “Photo Brown” postcard 200213, sent in 1938.

The mill pond with its sluice gate can be seen in the foreground of the above postacards. It was around this area that the golf course was located. Part of the old course has been replaced by a shinty pitch and club house.

Thanks to Gordon Stalker for the picture below from 1970. It shows James Nicolson formerly head-barman of the Royal Hotel, Portree, on the tee. The course had been closed for many years by 1970 but it seems that locals still enjoyed an "unofficial" game on the links.

Golf was suspended during WW2, the club disappeared following the war.

Grid reference NG46725,43815, co-ordinates 146725,843815.