Golf on Arran
Early in 1889 a group of Lamlash businessmen who were attracted by the sport of golf decided to establish a golf course in the village. They included James Allan of Clauchlands, James Montgomery (joiner), J.B.Sweet (banker) and John Bannatyne, owner of the Pier Head Tavern. The first Treasurer was J.R.Thomson of Monawillne and A. Davids was the first Secretary. T. Robertson became the first Captain.
James Allan and his son, who had formerly farmed Balnacoole in the Shiskine valley, leased the Clauchlands Farm from Arran Estate, and negotiated recognition of Blairmore and the lands of Margnaheglish also as a farm, which enabled him to allow Blairmore to be developed into a golf course. The Arran Estate Trustees, with support from the 12th Duke of Hamilton, agreed to this and adjusted the ground-rent of Blairmore, with the committee paying £2.00 per year. Funding to construct the proposed course was essential, so in the early summer Captain Buchanan of the P.S. Scotia organised a cruise on the Clyde between the steamer’s scheduled sailings. The sum of £40.00 was realised, which was the equivalent of an average year’s wage in the late 1800’s.
