Even today golf is central to the advertising of the hotel. The present hotel website contains a detailed and interesting history of the building. See this at:
http://lundinlinkshotel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=62
It would appear that the Lundin Links Hotel and golf have always been closely linked. From the golf club captain architect of the building at the turn of the century, to the early 20th century adverts like the one above, to the late 20th century advert to the left, golf is always to the fore (pardon the pun). Even today golf is central to the advertising of the hotel. The present hotel website contains a detailed and interesting history of the building. See this at: http://lundinlinkshotel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=62
0 Comments
The Lundin Links hotel was formally opened on 24 May 1900 by Sir John Gilmour. The building, designed by P.L Henderson, replaced the old inn which had stood on the site. An indication of why the time was right for a new hotel is given in an article from the Courier which stated that: "Lundin Links within comparatively few years has come to be one of the most popular summer resorts, and is frequented by visitors from both east and west. The growth of the Lundin Links Golf Club is but one evidence of the popularity of the locality....To meet the requirements of the great influx of visitors, the Lundin Links hotel has been built..." The exterior appearance of the building had some similarities to the Lundin Golf Club house - red bricks, half-timbered work, red roof tiles. Certain external features were echoed inside, such as the windowed arches (see left image). No doubt such features could be found in other examples of Henderson's work in Edinburgh or elsewhere. The Courier describes the interior: "Entrance is effected through a spacious hall with tiled floor and a handsome well-lighted staircase leads to the different flats. On the first flat is a large and beautifully-decorated dining room, and beside it, but divided by a sliding panelled partition, is the drawing room. These together will form a large and commodious hall for gatherings" Also mentioned are a billiard room, 20 bedrooms of all sizes, kitchen and servants' accommodation (on the top floor), a smoking room, a bar and buffet, and an extensive laundry at the back. P.L. Henderson (see yesterday's post) was one of the members of the committee elected in August 1889 to reconstitute the Lundin Golf Club (which although founded in 1868 had faded away within a decade). The committee was a mix of residents and visitors. Henderson was successful in a competition with several other architects to create a new club house for the reinvigorated club. Opened on 4 April 1896, the Dundee Courier of 6 April described an "elegant building of red brick and half-timbered, with red tile roofs. It is built on the site of the old house, a portion of which was worked into the new design...In the front of the house is an octagonal tower, in the upper part of which is the smoking-room, and from the window of this apartment an extensive view of the links and Largo Bay is obtained. A fine prospect can also be enjoyed from the veranda underneath, which shelters the front door from the west winds. The main door gives entrance to a spacious and well-lighted hall, with the dining room on the left, the clubroom on the right and the bar in front. Large bay windows project towards the front from the dining room and clubroom. In the upper portion of the building there is accommodation for the caretaker." The actual opening event comprised:
During the speeches, P.L. Henderson had commented that there were now 230 members on the roll and growing, and that he had left room for extensions. The club house was indeed extended in 1912, and further over the years. Below is a recent image of the club house and starter's hut. I would have loved to have seen the original interior. I wonder if any old images exist? P.L. Henderson, as he was usually referred to, was a long-time visitor to Lundin Links, captain of Lundin Golf Club 1899-1900 and architect of both the Lundin Golf Club House and the Lundin Links hotel. Born in Edinburgh in 1848, Henderson designed many buildings from his Edinburgh base (often public houses and breweries) many of which are listed in the Dictionary of Scottish Architects at: http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk Described as a "versatile and deservedly popular captain" by the Evening Post in 1900, P.L. Henderson oversaw such events as the fireworks at Homelands Park described in yesterday's blog post. He was also involved in other social and fund-raising activities in the village as one of the regular summer visitors (including a concert in aid of the local brass band). More tomorrow on the opening of the above club house and more to come on the opening of the Lundin Links Hotel...
Around the turn of the century, the end of the summer season in Lundin Links was marked with elaborate fireworks displays. The "Amusements Committee" of Lundin Golf Club organised these occasions. An Evening Post account from 29 August 1900 captures the extravagance of the event... "Last night nearly 2000 people assembled to witness the display...started with the liberation of a huge balloon, about 9 feet high, which rose without a hitch to an altitude of several thousand feet....Rockets of every available description and falling stars were poured forth for nearly two hours. The exhibition was diversified by several torch dances by two dozen of the most enthusiastic golfers in improvised costumes, the local band supplying the "piping". Very fine interludes were enjoyed by lighting up the adjoining woods of Homelands in sylvan style and despatching fixed repeating shots from the ground." Homelands was a mid-19th century villa in substantial wooded grounds which ran from Leven Road down to the Lundin Golf Course (near the junction of Golf Road and Links Road). The recent pictures left and below of the site help to give an impression of the venue where the above occasion took place. Back in 1863, the marriage of the Prince of Wales was celebrated in Largo "in such a manner as the oldest never saw, and the youngest will not soon forget." As well as a procession, dinner, decorations, a band, cake and wine there was a "brilliant display of fireworks" and a bonfire on Largo Law which blazed all night. The Fife Herald of 19 March went on to describe that
"...the greatest novelty in connection with the fireworks was the iron ring of a cart wheel, dressed up with canvas, well saturated with highly flammable matter, which, on a signal being given, was ignited and sent down the Law with amazing velocity, presenting one of the most brilliant spectacles ever witnessed in the shape of fireworks. As it dashed down it left behind it a train of fire several hundred yards in length, completely illuminating the west side of the hill." It sounds brilliant and I'd have loved to have seen it, but there may be a few health and safety issues to overcome before this type of celebration is re-enacted! During the 19th century and into the 20th century, 'Beaconmania' hit the UK, with the slightest excuse being used to light fires on top of hills. Royal birthdays, Jubilees, anniversaries or military victories all triggered beacon lighting celebrations. Examples of such occasions, where a bonfire was lit at Largo Law include:
|
AboutThis blog is about the history of the villages of Lundin Links, Lower Largo and Upper Largo in Fife, Scotland. Comments and contributions from readers are very welcome!
SearchThere is no in-built search facility on this site. To search for content, go to Google and type your search words followed by "lundin weebly". Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
|