IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
GALASHIELS, TD1 2NJ

All the golf courses in Scotland are temporarily closed due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The ivy covered masonry indicates the much reduced original remains of Appletreeleaves Tower. Dating back to the late 16th century, it used to belong to Melrose Abbey, and at one time formed part of a farm steading. Only the lowest storey in this small oblong tower has survived and part of the building has been adapted and roofed to form an implement store for Galashiels Golf Club. Taken from the golf club car park.

The clubhouse enjoys a prominent position overlooking the town from the west slopes of Blaikie's Hill. The land that the golf course and clubhouse occupy, known as Ladhope Recreation Ground, was donated to the people of Galashiels in 1912 by Mr Hugh Roberts. The first golf club was founded in 1884, disbanded in 1897 and reformed in 1912. The 18 hole course was designed by James Braid. The present clubhouse was upgraded and extended in the late 1960's and within recent years, has been extended to the rear to upgrade the changing room facilities. (Source: "Galashiels - A Modern History").

A signboard outside the clubhouse displaying the new green fees, including rates for 9, 18, 27 and 36 holes. This has been introduced since the old 18 hole layout was reduced to 9 holes in March 2008.

This urinal is by the road to the golf club and has been out of use for many years. The clubhouse is in the background. The 1st tee used to be close by, but the old 1st hole has been made redundant in the move to a 9 hole layout (March 2008). Out of bounds on the old course layout was over the wall and inside the urinal, so any miscued tee shots that ended up in here did not have to be played out 'gadget golf style' to the course. A cast iron vent pipe and water supply pipe are still in situ.

A view inside the old stone built urinal next to the clubhouse, Image A cement plaster finish is halfway up the stone walls and a collection of twigs and rubbish cover the floor.

The ivy covered masonry on the right indicates the much reduced original remains of Appletreeleaves Tower. Dating back to the late 16th century, it used to belong to Melrose Abbey, and at one time formed part of a farm steading. Only the lowest storey in this small oblong tower has survived and part of the building has been adapted and roofed to form an implement store for Galashiels Golf Club.

The clock is on a storage building forming part of the original 16th century Appletreeleaves Tower. For a wider view, see Image

The house on the right is named after Appletreeleaves Tower at Galashiels Golf Course Image The greenkeeper used to live in this house when the course was municipal, but when the club took over the running of the course in 1992 from the former Ettrick & Lauderdale District Council, the property was sold and it is now a private dwelling house.

The 9th fairway (a long uphill par 3) is beyond the fir tree, with the 17th fairway (a downhill par 4) on the far right. The 9th, 17th and 18th holes are known as "the triangle" and when locals talk about playing the bottom eight and the triangle, this means playing holes 1 to 9 plus 17 and 18. Update on Galashiels Golf Course:- As from Sunday 2nd March 2008, the course ceased to be an 18 hole layout and has been reduced to 9 holes. As a result this green will be used for the 9th and 18th holes. The 9th fairway is now on the 7th and 16th holes and the 17th fairway is on the 8th and 17th holes. For a full explanation of the move to 9 holes, see Image Further update on Galashiels Golf Course:- The course was rearranged again on 4/4/09 so that this is now the green for the 3rd and 12th holes. The old 9th fairway now doubles up as the 1st and 10th holes, while the old 17th fairway now doubles up as the 2nd and 11th holes.