Dunblane bunkers to help the troops

A proposal to allow recuperating soldiers to use the golf course in Dunblane was under consideration.

Dunblane Hydro had been bought by the War Office in March and would no longer be open to the public.

Instead the 200bedroom hotel, built 43 years earlier at a cost of £50,000, was to be converted to a hospital for a “certain class of military patient”.

Since the announcement the golf course committee had received a letter from the Scottish Command Law Agent in Edinburgh, stating the department did not propose to take over the golf course.

They recognised, however, the benefit of the course in the restoration of the health of the soldiers

Officials wanted know how much the town council would charge to allow the military to use the course and the club committee felt £75 a year was a fair price.

Bailie Ball said they were handicapped by the town council having not yet decided whether it should continue to be responsible for the maintenance of the golf course.

The present greenkeeper was due to leave that week and if there was no one appointed in his place the course would speedily deteriorate, the councillor said.

Bailie Ball moved that the town council be responsible for the golf course but other councillors felt that such an important decision should be deferred for further consideration.

It was agreed that the question of continuing to look after the course be considered at the next meeting.