Latest news with #ArchibaldSimpson
Daily Record
19-07-2025
- Daily Record
Golf course dubbed 'Scotland's Augusta' lays abandoned with iconic building overcome by nature
Letham Grange in Angus, once regarded as one of the most picturesque golf courses in Scotland, continues to lie in ruins after plans to revive the site were dropped With the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in full swing, another legendary UK course sadly lies derelict. Letham Grange in Angus, north of Arbroath, was once dubbed 'Scotland's Augusta' for its picturesque beauty and likeness to the legendary Masters venue. Designed by Archibald Simpson, the mansion on the site was first built in the 1820s. It was converted into a hotel late in the 20th century. The legendary Henry Cotton attended its opening as a golf club in 1987. It featured two courses, the Old Course and the Glens Course, and quickly gained a lofty reputation for its beauty. However, the club folded in 2019. Since then, plans have been submitted to build 250 new homes, which would have funded the reopening of the course. However, those plans were dropped after opposition from locals, reported The Courier in August 2024. The Taiwanese Liu family, which owns the site, said ploughing a million pounds into a planning application was an 'unsustainable risk' they could not take. The site, which has also hosted curling, remains largely untouched, with windows boarded up and large parts overgrown with weeds. In 2023, a former club member took some pictures of what was left of the site while out cycling. Sharing the images in the Scotland from the Roadside Facebook group, Bob Durnan wrote: "While out cycling today I stopped at my old golf club. It's very sad to see this stunning building falling into disrepair. "I was a member of the golf club for 10 years back in the late 90s, the building was stunning and the course got the nickname 'Scotland's Augusta'. "The curling rink (complete with chandeliers) was used for international events and was the home ground of one of Scotland's curling champions Kelly Wood (Schafer), and in the summer the ice was melted and the room was used as a wedding venue (hence the chandeliers). "We had Christmas parties in the hotel and a friend was married there, oh and the bedrooms were enormous. The victim of an ownership dispute for the past 15 years the building has been left empty and is literally falling to bits. So sad." Fellow group members were also sad to see the site in such a state. One wrote: "Fond memories of this fantastic course. Just waiting for someone to bring it to life again." A second added: "Sad, it was an impressive place to visit and a great golf course." Another said: "Played golf there many a time in the 1980's. So sad to see the state of it now." A fourth added: "Just devastating to look at these pictures! You can tell it must have been beautiful at one time!" Listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Press and Journal
22-04-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Spoons bosses vow to spruce up grubby goddess statue as they ramp up Aberdeen hotel rooms plan
Wetherspoon bosses have pledged to clean up the grubby goddess statue atop the Archibald Simpson pub as they vow to see through some major expansion plans. It has gazed down from the roof of the A-listed former bank for more than 180 years, but is in a sorry state having been left exposed to the elements. The grimy sculpture depicts the Roman deity Ceres, who is the goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships. Pub bosses have now promised to bring it back to its glory days. These clean-up commitments come alongside massive plans to add a beer garden to the venue and convert the upper floors into a hotel. The statue atop the Castle Street pub has fallen victim to the weather thanks to its exposed position overlooking the Castlegate. Bar bosses had previously promised to clean up the goddess five years ago – but were waylaid by the pandemic. At the time, George Street and Harbour councillor Michael Hutchison said the sculpture of Ceres looked like 'she's just been dug up in a tattie field'. But the pub chain are still committed to fixing up the sculpture. Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: 'Restoring the statue was intended as part of wider works at the pub planned for 2020, which were postponed due to the pandemic. 'Wetherspoon plan to carry out a substantial refurbishment of the pub and building in the near future, which will include restoration to the statue.' The figure was designed by local artist James Giles and was chosen to represent the prosperity of Aberdeen in the 1840s, as famed architect Simpson designed the building. Labour councillor Sandra Macdonald is another who is calling on the pub chain to scrub up the statue left in their care. The George Street and Harbour councillor told The Press and Journal: 'I would be delighted if Wetherspoons were to spruce up the statue of Ceres. 'There are not enough statues of women in Aberdeen so we should look after the ones we have. 'Ceres represents bountiful harvests and motherhood, what's not to like about that?'
