By Kintyre Forum News
The Kintyre Club was formally opened on Saturday 25th February 2012, as Southworth Europe Ltd celebrated the grand opening of the equally beautifully restored and lavish Ugadale Hotel at Machrihanish
Over 175 years since the Club originally began back in 1825, and 31 years after the club was wound up, the Kintyre Club also celebrated the opening of the stunning new bar and restaurant, in the same name, at the Ugadale Hotel. Their Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, along with David Southworth, President and CEO of Southworth Development LLC, had the great honour of opening both the hotel and The Kintyre Club before a delighted audience.
Before the official ribbon-cutting ceremony guests enjoyed welcoming speeches from various bodies including David Southworth, Marc Wexler, David De Smith, The Duke of Argyll and Brian Keating. But it was the Development Manager of Aichindrain Trust and Curator of Campbeltown Museum, Bob Clark, who stole the show as he told the story of the history of the Kintyre Club which was held at a meeting, by special invitation, at the house of John Campbell Esq, in Glasgow, on Friday 1s July 1925. That day, a motion was made that a Club, consisting of the twelve gentlemen present and such other gentlemen as may be deemed eligible members, should be formed under the title and designation of “The Kintyre Club”. The Club would be dedicated to the “social and rational enjoyment of the Members, in union with the relief and support of decayed and indigent individuals or families resident in this neighbourhood who have been born either or are the descendants of parents born in the district from which the club takes its title”.
In addition to delivering a fine, detailed and enthusiastic speech Bob unveiled and presented The Kintyre Club with the historic “Herd’s Horn” that originally came into the club’s possession through the late Peter Reid. The Herdsman’s Horn was the original insignia of the Club before the President’s Chain made up of gold links and centre piece medal. This part of the story is a truly interesting and historic part of our history here in Kintyre as the Herdsman’s Horn was sounded throughout the 18th century and earlier by the Town Herd "to rouse the slumbering natives that they might turn out their cows to be driven to the Whinny Hill (now known as Whinhill) - till lately the Town Common at Witchburn.” In 1934, the then President of the Club, Peter Reid, “recovered” it when he purchased it from “Auld McGregor” of the Town Herd. This caused much disgruntlement as the townsfolk of Campbeltown objected to the purchase of the Horn claiming “Auld McGregor” had no right to sell something which was part of the Campbeltown heritage as far back as anyone could remember. However, it was too late and the Herd’s Horn became the iconic symbol of the Club after it was transformed and silver mounted and used as Snuff Mull where, at Club dinners, it was passed round the guests. Guests on Saturday were truly honoured to see such a piece of history and look and touch the horn that was last publicly shown at the Club’s Centenary Dinner in Campbeltown Town Hall.
Bob Clark with the Herd’s Horn
It was also fitting on Saturday that David Southworth announced the first President of the reformed Kintyre Club as Brian Keating, the Australian imaginative entrepreneur who had the original vision for Machrihanish Dunes and the restoration of the Ugadale Hotel and Royal Hotel. Much has been said about Brian’s vision locally over the years, and in particular the early days, so it must have been a very proud moment for Brian to be at the opening of the Ugadale and no-one should forget that if it wasn’t for Brian’s love and enthusiasm for all things Kintyre this all would never have happened.
Brian Keating who was announced as The Kintyre Club’s President below with David Southworth
Membership of the Club is £10 per annum with all income (100% of all dues received) being donated to local charities in Kintyre adhering to the fundamental values of the original club to benefit Kintyre. In addition this will give you access to the private Kintyre Club which is restricted to Kintyre Club members and their guests along with guest of The Ugadale Hotel & Cottages and Royal Hotel. To find out more and join up see http://machrihanishdunes.com/join/history-of-the-club
According to records for its first hundred years (up to 1928) the Club had accumulated £8,480 in its Capital Fund and spent a total of £13,777 on charity during this period, made up of £7,040 on Relief and £6,737 on Education. These figures, of course, have little meaning by present day values, and would have to be multiplied at least by 50 to put them into modern perspective. Though the direst need for poor relief and educational aid occurred during the Club's first hundred years, many Kintyreans alive today have reason to be grateful for the Club's help in the depression of the 1930's.
So it was a rather fitting gesture of geneoristy that David Southworth presented a cheque for £13,777 to The Kintyre Club on Saturday. By co-incidence this stood to be just more than £10 per head of the 1373 guests who attended the hotel’s open day the following day on Sunday.
His Grace, The Duke of Argyll with David Southworth, CEO Southworth Developments who presented a cheque for £13,777 to the Kintyre Club at it’s opening on Saturday.
Some more photos of the opening appear below. If interested in a more detailed article published on the Kintyre Club on this forum a few years ago please go to viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5125
The newly re-opened Ugadale Hotel – for more information see http://machrihanishdunes.com/stay/the-ugadale-hotel/
