Campbeltown Bowling Club 3.02

The origins of Campbeltown Bowling Club are shrouded in the mists of history but it is safe to assume that the club was born out of the town’s senior bowling club, the Argyll.

The first recorded meeting was held in the town hall committee room on 10th August 1905 when it was reported that some members of the Argyll club had canvassed the opinions of 100 local gentlemen for their opinions on forming a new club in the town. 72 had replied with 62 in favour, 5 against and 5 undecided. The chairman, Provost Mitchell, heard Ross Wallace explain that he, along with Sam Armour, Neil Watson, James Carson and Robert Smith had met with Alfred Lewis, chamberlain to the Duke of Argyll to try to identify suitable sites for the new green. His Grace, the Duke, was prepared to lease the ground and the lodge house at Stronvaar to the new club for nineteen years at an annual rental of £10. Wallace had concluded that an initial membership of 100 would be easily attainable and sustainable and recommended the formation of the club. He had gone so far as to contact the Scottish Bowling Association for their recommendation of a person to lay a new green and had been advised that Daniel Leslie of Bishopbriggs was the best available. Leslie visited the site and found it to be favourable and he quoted a price of around £380 with another £120 required to convert the outhouses into a bowls house, making a grand total of £500, eat your heart out Holyrood!