I can report on a discovery made by Alan Jackson of the British Golf Collectors Society that he has kindly relayed to me. It is of a Mackenzie course at Strichen House in Strichen, Aberdeenshire. Strichen is around 15km south of Fraserburgh. Alan is researching lost courses in the UK.
Mention was made to Alan by an old member of Fraserburgh GC that one of the Fraserburgh professionals had laid out a 6-hole course at nearby Strichen in 1914. The course and club did not last long, most likely due to the effect of the Great War. However, the club was resuscitated after the war and Dr MacKenzie laid out a new course, of which 8 holes were open by July 1926, with plans to extend the course to 18 holes. In the end, this club was no more successful than the first and did not last long.
The local newspaper in nearby Fraserburgh, the Fraserburgh Herald of 13th July 1926 reported:
STRICHEN HOUSE GOLF CLUB
"A commencement with play on the new golf course at Strichen House was made, when in spite of the unfavourable weather conditions, there was a large company of those interested in the game. Mr W C Sleigh, in the absence of the President, read a telegram from Colonel Adamson, wishing the members of the Golf Club every possible success and a happy commencement. Mr R Alexander, the secretary, was instructed to convey the thanks of the company to Colonel Adamson, and to wish him a speedy recovery to complete health. Mr David Ewing, who has been the forester on the Strichen estate for the past 50 years, was called upon by Mr Sleigh to pay the first ball, and the members thereafter had a round. At present the course, which is being laid out to plans by Dr Mackenzie, Leeds, extends to eight holes, but when completed, it will run to a full 18. The work has been proceeding for some weeks past, and it is said that when finished the course will be one of the finest inland courses in the North of Scotland. Some would even leave out from the description the words “inland” and “North”."
I would assume that the Colonel Adamson referred to was the then owner of Strichen House.
This is all Alan has been able to find out about the course, although Strichen House, which was built in 1821, was left to ruin in the 1950's. It was designed in 1821 by the architect John Smith for Thomas Fraser of Strichen who later became Lord Lovat. It was sold to the Bairds of Gartsherrie in 1855 and was later used as a shooting lodge, a hotel, spa with 9 hole golf course and an army billet before being gutted in 1954.
Closeby to Strichen House is a megalithic stone circle. Here's a 1920's Ordnance map of Strichen, presumably prior to the golf course, plus some photos of Strichen House, one as it was and one as today's ruin.
