The Internet's Most Comprehensive Guide

Lothianburn Golf Club, Edinburgh. (1893 - 2013)

The club was founded in 1893.

Sadly, after 120 years, with dwindling membership and financial difficulties the club closed at the end of 2013. Golfers were still able to play on the Lothianburn course for about a month by courtesy of Swanston Golf Club (their course is adjacent to Lothianburn). The Lothianburn clubhouse belongs to the club but the course was leased from Swanston. In October 2013 there was a sale of the clubs memorabilia; trophies, furnishings, equipment etc.

Originally a nine-hole course at Pentland Hills it was extended to eighteen-holes in 1899.

In 1928 a little more land became available and the club called in James Braid to advise on changes to the layout. The hilly parkland/moorland course was some 900 feet above sea level at the highest point. Braid reshaped the dog-legs, the fourth and fifth holes were classic examples, the seventh, eighth and ninth also had dogleg features. The ninth was a steep climb with the green set on a plateau near the summit of the course. The tenth to the thirteenth holes featured the “T” wood, a famous feature of the former course. A few tweaks were made following the changes in 1929 but it remained pretty well as Braid planned it.

Report on the proposed club and course in May 1893.

Edinburgh Evening Dispatch Wednesday 31 May 1893. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From "Golf" Friday 10 November 1893.

Results from the summer meting in June 1894.

"Golf" Friday 8 June 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

There was a large attendance at the annual general meeting held on Thursday 1 October 1896 the captain, Mr J T Cunningham, Hillside, Roslin, presided. The captain, the secretary Mr James Wylie, Royal Bank, Leven Street, and the treasurer, Mr John Dunbar, solicitor, 117 George Street, were all re-elected. The following members were elected to the council in place of those who retired by rotation; Robert Mark, J Horsburgh junior, William Gavine, Alexander Wilson, D Kerr and Rev J Campbell.  The balance sheet was produced and showed a healthy balance in hand. It was decided to admit 50 new members. The new clubhouse was to be opened following the autumn meeting on Friday 2^nd October.

The new clubhouse was opened in October 1896 by John T Cunningham, captain of the club. 

The sketch below shows the nine-hole course in 1896, the clubs third year. The course with its undulating greens and natural hazards was constantly improving. With the co-operation of the tenant the club had managed to obtain an adjoining field allowing the club to lengthen four of the holes. With the opening of the clubhouse (top right on the plan) there was an alteration in the layout; The old second hole was now the first, with the tee in front of the pavilion, while the old first hole was now the ninth. 

Above is the layout of the nine-hole course. Image from the Edinburgh Evening News Tuesday 6th October 1896.

Following is the result of the monthly medal played on Saturday 9 October 1897; James Addison, 91-5-86, and John Dunbar, 96-10-86, tied for first place; G A Ross, 85+3-88; Geo Aitken jun, 97-9-88; A Steele, 89 scratch; D Lowe, 90-1-89.

The winner of the April 1898 monthly medal was Gavin Jack, 109-12-97.

On Saturday 6 May 1899 the extended eighteen-hole course was opened by the captain, Mr Cunningham. Following the opening of the course a match was played between teams selected by the treasurer and secretary.

Above is the layout of the extended eighteen-hole course. Image from the Edinburgh Evening News Saturday 6 May 1899.

The above holes measured as follows; Hole one – 270 yards; two - 270 yards; three - 166 yards; fourth - 185 yards; five – 208 yards; six – 223 yards; seven – 256 yards; eight – 147 yards; nine – 216 yards; ten – 235 yards; eleven – 150 yards- twelve – 173 yards; thirteen – 90 yards; fourteen 233 yards; fifteen – 202 yards; sixteen – 263 yards; seventeen – 333 yards; eighteen – 223 yards. 

Below is the result of a match played against Portobello in July 1900.

Group photograph taken at the first competition for the Coronation Cup 20 September 1902.

The winner of the Coronation Cup competition played in September 1902 was J T Kirkwood, 96-18-78.

In the clubs tenth year the course was to undergo another suggested change. A meeting was held in the Oddfellows Hall, Forrest Road in December 1903 when Mr William Binns produced a plan of his proposed layout. Mr G M Crawford, club captain, presided at the meeting. Mr Binns said the new course would be longer, safer, it would also lessen congestion and could be done at small expense. He moved the adoption and it was seconded by James Addison. Long and animated discussion took place with several suggestions for minor alterations. Mr Porteous, the green-ranger, in supporting the proposal, stated that he could have the course ready for play in the New Year. Mr Binn’s schem was carried unanimously. 

Above is the revised layout. Image from the Edinburgh Evening News Thursday 3 December 1903.

The formal opening of the reconstructed course took place on Saturday 21 May 1904 in front of a large crowd. G N Crawford, captain of the club, made a statement expressing the gratitude of the members to Mr Gavin Jack of Swanston, hon. president of the club. In addition to Mr Jack, thanks were also passed on to the green ranger Mr Porteous. On behalf of the members Mr Crawford presented Mr Jack with a club, and the hon. president drove the first ball, amid loud cheers, his drive from the tee being a fine shot.

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1893; Membership, 184; Hon. secretary - F Walkingshaw, 16 Young Street, Edinburgh; Captain, George W Bonar; Entrance fee £2/2s and subs, £1/10s; 18-holes; Terms for visitors 1s a day, except Saturdays. The course lies at the foot of the Pentland Hills, and is beautifully situated near the village of Swanston.

Result of a bogey competition played in May 1906; W Finlay, jun., (+2), R Mortimer (2), N H Lees (4) all 2up; Mr Richardson (5), W Smith (3), W J Lawson (8), John Charleson (8), all 1up; E Moyes (4), all square; F Walkingshaw (4), Geoffrey Cowan (2), W Cunningham (1), D Lowe (2) all 1down; J C Kirkaldie (+2), W S Baird (9), 2down.

Below is the result of a match played at Broomieknowe in June 1912.

Below is the result of a match played at Lothianburn against Cramond Brig in June 1923.

Result of a match against Cramond Brig Golf Club (now defunct) played in June 1929.

The Scotsman Monday 10 June 1929. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Below is the result of the annual home-and-home match against Duddingston played in June 1932.

From The Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News 24 April 1936. Images © Illustrated London News Group. Images created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the 1937 Golfer's Handbook; Membership, Gents, 450, Ladies, 65; Secretary - R F Calder, 12 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh; Green-keeper, L McDairmid; 18-holes, SSS 73; Visitors by permit, 2s/6d a day, Sundays 3s (if introduced by members 1s/6d). 

Exhibition match played in September 1947. 

From The Scotsman Thursday 11 September 1947. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Following WW2 the secretary was K L McAinsh and the green-keeper L McDiarmid. The eighteen hole course had a Par of 72 and SSS of 73. There was a Membership of; gents 450, ladies 65. Visitors, 2/6 a day, 5/- on Sunday. 

In the mid 1950s membership of  gents, 450, ladies, 65; secretary, K L McAinch; green-keeper, L McDiarmid; amateur course record - Ian Watt, 69; 18-holes, SSS, 70; visitors, 3s/6d weekdays, 7s/6d weekends.

In the early 1960s the secretary was K L McAinsh; professional, W Clark; green-keeper, A Stenhouse; 18-holes, 5,777 yards, SSS, 70; amateur course record - W F Hunter, 68; visitors, 3s/6d weekdays, 7s/6d weekends.

In the mid 1960 the secretary was S D Mackie; green-keeper, J Jamieson.

In the 1970s membership was 400; secretary, I Mathie; no professional listed at this time.

In the early 1980s the secretary was W P Findlay; professional, B Mason; 18-holes, 5,619 yards, SSS 68; amateur course record - B Nicholson and H H Brown, 63; visitors; £2.50 a day, £4 at weekend.

In the late 1980s the secretary was A R Poxton; professional, B Mason.

In the early 1990s the membership was 430 (75 ladies, 75 juniors, 50 seniors); secretary, E W Horbery; professional, P Morton; 18-holes, 5,750 yards, SSS 69; amateur course record - P W Lamb, 63.

In 2005 and 2009 the secretary was W F A Jardine (2005) and D P MacLaren (2009); professional, Kurt Mungall; membership of 600; 18-holes measured 5,662 yards, SSS of 69, par 71. 

The former course can be seen on the Britain From Above link below.

http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/saw039282?search=lothianburn&ref=0

Above the 558 yard par 5 fourteenth. Image courtesy of Alan Mcpherson who is playing all of Scotland's golf courses to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. For more course information; http://scottishgolfcourses-allofthem.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/lothianburn-golf-club-closed-after-120.html

Above the 281 yard par four eighteenth. Image courtesy of Alan Mcpherson.

Thanks to Dr. Douglas Lockhart who took the pictures below on Wednesday 22 January 2020. "Horses now graze much of the former course and there are many electric wire fences. Having photographed the first and the very difficult par 3 second, I continued walking from the back of the second green and noticed a tee with a yellow tee marker ahead - I had arrived at the third still beautifully maintained and to the left was another hole also cut and in perfect condition (fourth) - these are the only surviving holes of the Lothianburn course and in 2016 they were incorporated into the Swanston layout as holes ten and eleven. So there are “only” 16 lost Lothianburn holes.”

Former clubhouse taken from the pavement of the A702 (Edinburgh-Biggar-Carlisle road).

Sign on tree adjacent former clubhouse.

Clubhouse/putting green/flagstaff.

First fairway.

First fairway looking back to clubhouse.

First green looking back towards tee.

Second tees.

Second green looking back to tee.

Site of the old second green in the foreground. Swanston golf course is in the middle distance.

Images above show the former third hole of the Lothianburn course now part of the Swanston course.

The former fourth hole shows the James Braid dog leg to lessen the effects of the slope.

Horses grazing on the seventh fairway to the left – on the right the former fourth hole of the Lothianburn course.

Approach to the eighth green.

Ninth tees - a stiff climb from there up the valley to the green.

Fraser Paterson, a former member, with the Wyper Trophy Hole in Hole, and the B Championship Shield in 1993. Image Courtesy of Fraser Paterson.