Hunt is on for memories of Gleneagles’ glory days
IT’S just over 10 weeks until golf ’s biggest spectacle comes to Scotland, only the second time the event has been held north of the Border.
The eyes of the world will be on Gleneagles.
And bosses at the famous old hotel are hoping Sunday Post readers can help put the club’s history on show.
When it opened, it was dubbed “the playground of the Gods” and “the eighth wonder of the world”. Its stunning setting saw it hailed as “Riviera in the Highlands” or the “Switzerland of Scotland”.
Changes of ownership, major refurbishments and a wartime spell as a hospital has seen much of the hotel’s rich history lost.
So Gleneagles bosses have appealed to readers to root through drawers and attics for lost treasures and memories or share tales of happy visits or life as an employee.
“We’ve been through our cupboards and found all we possibly can,” says MD Patrick Elmslie. “We’ve contacted former staff to see if they have any old menus, photographs or memorabilia. Recently someone sent me a box of slides he found in a drawer after his uncle passed away. So much history has been lost and it’d be a tragedy if we couldn’t piece at least some of it back together.”
Having been at Gleneagles on and off for almost 30 years, Patrick has had his own search for mementoes. He found a commemorative whisky decanter from when the hotel was in the hands of Bells and an old 78rpm record of Henry Hall’s dance band, who performed at the opening gala.
By the time Gleneagles opened its doors for that ball in 1924 – broadcast to the nation on the BBC – it had been 14 years in the creation.
“Gleneagles sat at the forefront of a social scene no longer here in the UK,” says Patrick.
“In the glory days, butlers and housekeepers of guests had their own suites while their masters and mistresses took entire floors with interconnecting rooms.”
Biplanes could land on the golf courses, with those arriving becoming part of what was known as “the Gleneagles 300” guests.
In the 1970s, pro- celebrity golf saw Hollywood legends like Bing Crosby and Burt Lancaster take to the fairways. And Kojak star Telly Savalas showed his delight by yelling “I love ya baby!” as he hit his drives.
Hundreds of millions will see Gleneagles at its best on September 26 when the Ryder Cup competition gets underway. It has taken 20 years of hard work. “Preparing for it is the absolute pinnacle,” admits Golf Courses and Estate Manager Scott Fenwick. “We’ve re-modelled holes, changed greens, tees and lots more to bring the course up to today’s standard.”
If you have any Gleneagles souvenirs or memorabilia, they can be mailed to: Gleneagles Marketing Department, Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, PH3 1NF, or email gleneagles.marketing@gleneagles. com.