\n Built in stone and lime, with timber features and Staffordshire roof tiles, it was an elegant replacement for the tiny building Old Tom Morris used as he extended the links in 1886.\n<\/p>\n
\n Soon it would host royals, Hollywood stars including Bing Crosby and US Presidents eager to play what some say is one of the best links courses to have never staged the Open.\n<\/p>\n
\n Opened in 1909, the clubhouse at Royal Dornoch is now set to be demolished (Image: Craig Wilson\/Creative Commons\/Geograph)\n<\/p>\n
\n Now, though, the old clubhouse with its 116 years of golfing heritage and distinctive clock tower is weeks away from being demolished, with a towering new sandstone clubhouse set to take its place.\n<\/p>\n
\n Soon locals will venture inside for the last time to salvage what souvenirs they can before the building \u2013 a feature in countless golfers\u2019 photographs down the years – is lost forever.\n<\/p>\n
\n But if the demise of the distinctive old Royal Dornoch clubhouse is tinged with a little sadness, its gleaming \u00a314 million modern replacement has ignited some very different emotions.\n<\/p>\n
\n The new clubhouse at Royal Dornoch overshadows its 1909 predecessor (Image: Robert M. Wilson)\n<\/p>\n
\n With its construction scaffolding now gone to reveal its three storeys of pale sandstone blockwork and tall chimney stack with retro-style square clock, lively debate has ensued over whether it\u2019s a bold step into the future or a brutal mistake.\n<\/p>\n
\n Stinging criticism across social media sites has likened to everything from a Victorian mill to a municipal crematorium, a caravan site toilet block, to nuclear bunker, prison and even a slaughterhouse.\n<\/p>\n
\n Some armchair critics have compared its stonework’s ‘pixelated’ effect to a Minecraft building. Others query why some windows strangely appear to have been blocked off.\n<\/p>\n
\n Also raising eyebrows has been the cost: at \u00a314 million for the 2,100 sqm building, it is in a different league to the humble property it replaces.\n<\/p>\n
\n Royal Dornoch Golf Club’s new \u00a314 million clubhouse has divided opinion (Image: Robert M. Wilson)\n<\/p>\n
\n The dramatic change prompted debate over whether it is an example of Scotland\u2019s golfing heritage being sacrificed to meet rising demand from wealthy international golfers for more luxurious facilities.\n<\/p>\n
\n On the other hand, others have praised the club\u2019s committee for its bold vision and, echoing the excitement that rippled through the town when the Carnegies unveiled the last clubhouse, hail it as symbolising a new era for golf tourism in the area.\n<\/p>\n
\n And having missed out on a bigger slice of Scotland\u2019s \u00a3300 million a year golf tourism sector due to a lack of infrastructure and the hard to reach location, they hope it might lead a Highland charge to lure golfers away from the likes of St Andrews, Gleneagles and Muirfield.\n<\/p>\n
\n David Purves of DP Private Hire, who regularly transports American and other international golfers to the course, is among the new building\u2019s fans.\n<\/p>\n
\n The 3 storey new clubhouse at Royal Dornoch (Image: Robert M Wilson)\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI love it,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s the best thing that has happened to Dornoch in a long time. It\u2019s the way forward.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThe people of Dornoch are very lucky to get a building of this stature.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Royal Dornoch has nailed it, they’ve come up with a building that will not only cater for people now but will still be doing it in 100 years\u2019 time.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI have a big American clientele,\u201d he continues, \u201cand they think that it\u2019s great.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Glasgow-based architects Keppie designed the new clubhouse at Dornoch and its interior (Image: Keppie Design)\n<\/p>\n
\n He\u2019s aware of the criticism: \u201cThere\u2019s been mixed feelings about it. A lot of people like it and there are a lot that don\u2019t – we Highlanders are very opinionated people.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Some don\u2019t like change but they\u2019re living in the Dark Ages. It\u2019s time to move on – there’s no point looking backwards.”\n<\/p>\n
\n A member of nearby Tain Golf<\/a> Club, he hopes the clubhouse will bring benefits across the area.\n<\/p>\n \n “This is a big chance to get people here.\n<\/p>\n \n “The Highlands have got to get out of the 1920s,” he adds. “Buildings are just bricks and mortar, the history has been made in Dornoch and the memories are still there.”\n<\/p>\n \n Royal Dornoch’s new clubhouse (Image: Robert M. Wilson)\n<\/p>\n