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Rothiemurchus Golf Club, Aviemore, Highland. (1906 - WW2)

The club was founded in 1906.

The nine-hole course opened on Saturday 30 June 1906. It was laid out by Alex Machardy of  Inverness and measured as follows; Hole One – 212 yards; Two – 233 yards; Three – 204 yards; Four – 367 yards; Five – 191 yards; Six – 260 – yards; Seven – 265 yards; Eight – 232 yards; Nine – 231 yards.

Inverness Courier Tuesday 3 July 1906.Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The following is an extract from a report that appeared in the Aberdeen Journal on the 19 August 1909. “The Doune House, Rothiemurchus, was the scene yesterday of the opening of a two days’ bazaar, which had for its object the clearing of a £200 debt of the Rothiemurchus golf course. The situation of the nine-hole course is very picturesque and is two miles from Aviemore. It was opened in 1906 and was originally rough grass fields. The club have spent some £200 in the erection of a clubhouse and it is hoped by the end of the two days an equivalent sum will be raised. There was a large and distinguished gathering at the opening ceremony which included The Macintosh of Macintosh, Moy Hall, convenor of the County of Inverness; the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of London; Mr Grant and the Lady Mary Grant of Rothiemurchus, and many other visitors of distinction.”   

In December 1910 John Junor, who had been stationmaster at Aviemore for four years, was leaving for Inverness to go into business with his brothers. Mr Junor had associated himself  with the affairs of the community, especially the golf club, being its first secretary, and at this time assistant secretary. Mr Junor, along with one or two others, took the initiative in starting the golf club at Rothiemurchus.

Above images are from The Tatler 27 April 1910. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1914 the secretary was Walter Dempster, Schoolhouse, Aviemore, and the professional Thomas Sharp. A 9-hole course with a season from 1 April to 1 November. The course was mainly for visitors during the summer months. Visitors’ fees were 3/6d a week and 12/6d a season. Sunday play was not allowed. The station at Aviemore was 1 mile away. 

From 1922 to the club’s last year in 1949, the secretary was A Paterson, Strathavon, Aviemore. The green-keeper was R McIntosh. The course record was 35, and visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 5/- a week, 8/6d a fortnight, 12/6d a month and 21/- a season. Family tickets were also available.

Thanks to Gary Dempster of the Scottish Golf Museum for providing, and allowing me to use, the following images of the Rothiemurchus Club and Course -

Pictures of the former clubhouse.

Plan of the original clubhouse, drawn up by Gary’s great-grandfather Walter Dempster.

First course layout.

Second course layout.

Walter Dempster produced the card of the course.

Views across the course.

The younger man in the photograph above is Walter Dempster. All the pictures were taken by Walter senior, including the postcards.

Competition medal won by Walter Dempster.

The golf course at Aviemore, many features of the old course can still be made out. Grid reference NH89700 10790, co-ordinates 289700 810790.