COMMUNITY GROUPS THRILLED WITH CLUB’S SUPPORT

ROYAL Dornoch is supporting a wide range of Highland groups and good causes with pay-outs from the club’s Community Fund.

This year, the club’s Council of Management has approved grants totalling more than £15,000, nudging the total distributed towards the £100,000 mark since it was set-up in 2014.

Representatives from the 35 successful applicants were invited to the recently unveiled clubhouse to receive cheques of up to £500.

General manager Neil Hampton said: “It was lovely to welcome everyone to the club and hear more about what the grants will do to benefit their work in the wider community.

“Given the volume of applications – perhaps reflecting tightening of the public purse strings – we decided to increase the level of grant support for 2026.

“We have always enjoyed strong ties with the town and beyond, and that certainly won’t be changing now that we are in a position to offer members and visitors a world-class clubhouse to match the quality of our famous Championship Course.”

The Community Fund is backed by a percentage of the income generated by visiting golfers from around the world who want to tick off a bucket list course.

“This year we received nearly 40 applications to sift through and I’m delighted to say that the vast majority have been successful. We have tried to ensure a broad range of the community will benefit, from young children to the elderly,” said Neil.

Among the beneficiaries are the East Sutherland Rescue Association, which recently became the first group in the county to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Others include Maggie’s Highlands, the Dornoch Heritage Society Historylinks Museum, Tain and North Highland YMCA, the Dornoch/Loch Fleet Curling Club, Dornoch Highland Games and the Sutherland Show.

The recipients of this year’s Community Fund grants are: Maggie’s Highlands, Adults Wellness Crafts, Dornoch Heritage Society, Tykes Young Carers, Auld Eagles Dornoch, Dornoch Community Garden, Dornoch Bowling Club, Tain and North Highland YMCA, Friends of TCD, Dornoch Bonfire Night, Dornoch Beach Wheelchairs, Dornoch Seniors’ Indoor Bowling Club, Dornoch Firth Group, Dornoch Cinema Club, Dornoch/Loch Fleet Curling Club, 1st Dornoch Girls’ Brigade, The Gift Project, Dornoch Primary Nursery, Meikle Ferry Music, Dornoch Pipe Band, East Sutherland Rescue Association, Dornoch Library Summer Activities, Sutherland Show, Dornoch in Bloom, Embo Amateur Football Club, Dornoch Cricket Club, Dornoch Festival Week, Dornoch Hogmanay Street Party, Dornoch Academy, Dornoch Brownies, Dornoch Dance Academy, Dornoch Primary Parent Council, Highland Heavy Squad, Dornoch Highland Games and Dornoch Firth Junior Band.