In Clackmannan in the summer of 1895 new courts were opened for the locals.
On Saturday July 20 as the sun shone, the opening of the Clackmannan tennis courts was undertaken by Alexander Bruce, Lord Balfour of Burleigh, the then Secretary of State for Scotland.
He was accompanied by his wife Lady Katherine and their three daughters, the Rev Mr Robertson, the local physician Dr Dunlop, and other dignitaries from the county.
The first game to be played was mixed doubles with members of the Alloa Marshill Tennis Club playing the Clackmannan Club, with Lord Balfour teaming up with Miss Nellie Forsyth for Clackmannan, and Miss Ferguson of Alloa and George Robertson of Clackmannan for Alloa.
In the end the Alloa team won. Several matches followed, with the courts described as being in very good order, although in some places the ball did not bounce well.
Following the matches, a tea was organised on the grounds followed by an afternoon’s entertainment.
Later, the Rev Robertson gave a vote of thanks to Lord Balfour for attending and for performing the opening ceremony. He also thanked him for playing in the first match.
He felt that was a much better way to open the courts than simply pronouncing them open. During his speech, he remembered how the town had no football pitch, bowling club, curling club, or tennis club, but now they had them all.
He said that Clackmannan had a ‘sporting corner,’ and had had the pleasure of seeing almost all of them opened, although stated that none had been ‘started under more favourable auspices,’ referring to Lord Balfour.
From the number of people who had turned up to see the opening, it was clear to him that there was much goodwill in the community for their success.
Before closing his speech, he referred to the ‘handsome way’ all those in attendance had been treated by the young ladies of the club, saying the curling club should take note.
He ended by saying he hoped the tennis courts that had just been opened ‘would prove both a profit and a pleasure’ to the young people of Clackmannan for many years to come.’ Lord Balfour in his reply also hoped the club would be a source of ‘much pleasure.’
The courts were situated at Chapelhill, made over a natural pond which was drained, near the curling pond. It was next to the football field and accessed from it.
The courts no longer exist as houses have been built on the site.