FAIRWAY FASHIONS FEATURE IN “FIBRE FEST”

Photo: Tain golfer Ruby Grierson on the fairways at Royal Dornoch

DORNOCH’S wide-ranging “Fibre Fest 2026” includes a golfing theme.

The March 13-15 event being held at the town’s five star rated Historylinks Museum and Heritage Hub includes a “Fashion on the Fairways” exhibition which is sure to attract visitors in a town where golf is part of the DNA.

It looks at golf course fashions through the ages and explores the ever-changing array of fabrics and textiles sported by fashionable golfers taking to the links, from the days of heavy tweed and woolen skirts and jackets to lightweight, waterproof man-made materials.

Lynne Mahoney, curator of the Historylinks Museum, said: “We are delighted to have items on loan from The World Golf Museum in St Andrews, including Roger Wethered’s Captain’s Jacket from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

“Also on display will be an outfit belonging to Mabel Stringer, a golfer, journalist and pioneer of women’s golf.”

Historylinks Museum and Heritage Hub “Fashion on the Fairways” exhibition — Photos Left to right: 1. A dapper Donald Ross (right) pictured with the Rev Mackay in his Dornoch days. Pic: Historylinks Museum 2. Joyce Wethered at Royal Dornoch 3. Roger & Joyce Wethered 4. A dazzling outfit worn by golfing pioneer and journalist Mabel Stringer. Image courtesy of the Women Golfer’s Museum.

Roger, who lost a play-off to Jock Hutchison for the Claret Jug at The Open in 1921, and his sister Joyce – hailed by legendary American golfer Bobby Jones as the finest golfer, man or woman, he had ever played with – were both given Honorary Life Memberships of Royal Dornoch.

They holidayed regularly in the town and were familiar figures around the golf club.

Joyce won the club’s Ladies Silver Medal four times in the Roaring Twenties, adding these honours to the four victories she enjoyed in the British Open Ladies Championship.

Roger, meanwhile, captured the Carnegie Shield in 1921 and the Silver Medal in 1919, 1921 and 1923.

They were made Honorary Life Members in 1927.

And in his club history, Dr John Macleod noted that Joyce – by then Lady Heathcoat Amory – must have been surprised to receive the accolade once again, in 1950! He explained that club records had gone missing over the intervening years.

The exhibition also includes a replica of an Edwardian golfing outfit worn by Ruby Grierson of Tain and a Donald Ross style suit displayed alongside the former Royal Dornoch professional and renowned golf course architect’s clubs which were gifted to the museum last year by his great niece, Jane McElligott from Canada.

The museum will be open from 10.30am to 4pm for the “Fibre Fest.”