UK’s most western golf club goes crowdfunding to raise money for much-needed clubhouse
By Emma Williams
The UK’s most westerly golf course, Barra Golf Club, on the west coast of the Isle of Barra, in the western isles of Scotland, has turned to the internet in an attempt to raise about £30,000 for a much-needed clubhouse.
‘The unpredictable weather in this highly exposed area [the nine-hole course overlooks the Atlantic Ocean] provides no shelter for players,’ states the call to action on www.crowdfunder.co.uk/isle-of-barra-golf-course, which has so far received more than £1,000 from 29 backers.
‘Formed in 1992, this club runs with little financial support, other than membership fees and an honesty box. A few months ago, the second green collapsed due to erosion.
‘The volunteers need help to fund a small clubhouse in this unique but wild area. This will provide warmth and shelter, a kitchen, WC facilities and storage. It is a necessity to ensure the future of the club. It is the main issue raised through feedback from users and tourists. The only facility on the course are dilapidated containers – used for storage … and shelter! An eyesore in such a beautiful location. Help us remove them!’
“The visitors thoroughly enjoy it and if they don’t enjoy the golf they enjoy the views,” said captain Murdoch MacKinnon. “We had around 300 visitors last year and at one event we got the shock of our lives when 66 entrants turned up. We had Americans, a Canadian, a couple of Swedes. One guy flew in from Finland on a helicopter. He heard it was the most westerly course in Scotland so he hopped over.
“There’s quite a big appetite for golf among the young ones on the island and we had a tie in with the school which led to 30 juniors coming up on a Tuesday and a Thursday. But folk would be more content to send their kids up there if there was a base for them and a shelter. These youngsters are the future of the club. If we don’t get some kind of clubhouse built, I fear it will close and that would be a huge shame and a big loss to the island.”
By Emma Williams
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If there’s a course in Enniskillen or further west of that town towards the Republic’s border then Barra isn’t the most westerly.
A moot point, perhaps, but isn’t Lough Erne, in Fermanagh, further West?
on maps it does look like Northern Ireland is more westerly than the Scottish islands but websites do say the Highlands are the most western. Maybe they’re optical illusions or folk are confusing the UK with GB?