HIGHLAND HEARTLAND

Popular with tourists for well over 150 years, sleepy northern Perthshire gem Pitlochry has long burst into life come summer

Generations of visitors have been dazzled by Pitlochry’s hills, culture, and sport. Today’s main picture is from April 1936 and shows Pitlochryborn golf legend John Panton, then aged 19, during

his early days as a pro at his home town course, alongside an unidentified companion.

“Gentleman John” dominated the sport domestically for nigh on two decades, earning eight victories in the Scottish Professionals Championship and seven in the Northern Open from 1948 to 1966.

The champion also represented Great Britain three times in the Ryder Cup, and later clinched major international seniors titles. He died in 2009 aged 92.

Above left is a photo taken to mark Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s 20th anniversary in May 1971. It shows the entrance to the tent-style “Theatre in the Hills” as it was before the venue’s present-day building was opened exactly 10 years later.

Above right captures a scene from a busy Pitlochry main street in June 1976.

GENT: Young golf star John Panton, left, at Pitlochry in 1936. if you know who he’s with, please email craigie@thecourier.co.uk

A lively Atholl Street in Pitlochry as summer takes off in 1976.

How Pitlochry’s theatre looked in ‘71 while still under canvas.