Assist the Archives and Treasures Committee with Locating a Lost Piece of History

A Shared History...

Each year on the last Friday in August, the Merchant Company Golf Club plays a team from Bathgate Golf Club, competing for the Bathgate trophy. Sadly, the 2026 match resulted in a comprehensive defeat of the Company team by Bathgate, who will hold the trophy, at least, until the return match next year.

The annual match celebrates the Company’s gift of land to Bathgate Golf Club, from the Bathgate and Balbardie Estate acquired by the Company in 1861. It was bought at a cost of £48,000 as part of the Daniel Stewart’s Hospital property portfolio. Comprising 854 acres, the estate included the whole town of Linlithgow, a mansion house built by Robert Adam in 1793, several farms and various other industrial assets. 

Bathgate and Balbardie Estate was just one part of an extensive land and property portfolio held by the Company at the turn of the twentieth century. It stretched from as far as Kelso in the Borders to Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. The land was acquired for feuing, a system which allowed the Company as Feudal Superior to impose annual feu duties, which in turn were used to fund both the school estates and the Company’s charitable trusts.

Change was brought about by government reform in the late twentieth century, when the feudal system was abolished. This resulted in Company’s feudal superiorities becoming practically worthless which, in turn, were gifted to Bathgate Golf Club.

Following discussions over dinner at the recent golf match, the Archive and Treasures Committee has been charged with finding the actual anniversary of the transfer. This would involve the arduous task of trawling though Education Board minutes. However, if any member has anecdotal information that might help to narrow the timeframe for the committee’s research, please contact Ian Watson on ianmlwatson@hotmail.co.uk.