PLEASE HELP US WITH OUR COASTAL EROSION ISSUES

THE LINKS AT FORTROSE & ROSEMARKIE GOLF CLUB – THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND

COASTAL EROSION, URGENT REPAIR WORKS & ROCK ARMOUR PLACEMENT

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At Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club located in the Highlands of Scotland, we unfortunately experienced some of the worst storms at the end of October 2023 (Storm Ciaran) where there are now major issues with erosion and damage to the Links.

Prior to these events, we had set up a coastal erosion sub-committee at the Club at the end of 2022, due to continued erosion issues and where our concerns were evident. The sub-committee have worked tirelessly to get us to a stage whereby we can now look start to look to protect the 1st and 2nd teeing ground areas as our main priority right now.

Over the last 12+ months, we have met with various representatives from the Highland Council and Scottish Water to highlight the coastal erosion issues which unfortunately were realised with the storms at the end of October last year washing away around 5-6 metres in places. This whole process has been slow (not on our part) with so much time being spent by the sub-committee to try to get some help/assistance in the main from Scottish Water and the Highland Council (our local authority).

We have also made continuous efforts over the last year to try get some form of funding/grants from various national bodies including Nature Scotland. As a Club, we are continuing to work away on this project for the protection of our Links for future generations to come given that we are one of the Oldest Golf Courses in the World (1793). Everything we have tried to do, has in the main been backed up by our local MSP (Kate Forbes) so we need to continue to keep trying to raise money.

This initial project cost to protect the 1st tee area and the 2nd tee area alone with rock armour (around 110 metres to cover both tees and the areas around the tees) will be £140,000 + VAT.

At Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club we need to think of our members, the many visitors who travel to play here from around the world and for future generations to come. We also have to think about members of the public to being able to gain access to the left side of the 1st and 2nd holes as they walk towards Chanonry Lighthouse to either watch the Dolphins, to walk their dogs or just to enjoy the stunning scenery this area offers. From a golfing perspective, the areas BETWEEN the 1st and 2nd tees will also a priority going forward but with no real support, this is proving to be really difficult.

The foreshore is owned by the Highland Council yet they are unwilling to do anything of any note and where the path way for members of the public to use was evident before, the storms have taken this away and the Highland Council have stated that they do not see the protection of the path as being a priority!

The associated costs to restore and protect this unique area of land will run into the tens of thousands so we hope that you will support us in this project. All monies/donations received will be ring-fenced for carrying out the necessary works to restore these areas to how they once were.

Our historic Scottish Links Championship golf course brings in thousands of visitors from around the World on an annual basis where many local businesses benefit as a result so we will make every effort possible to ensure this continues for the future.

Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Links has hosted 10 National Championships since 2010 and this year we are hosting the World Hickory Open Championship which takes place in October. The Links has also been short-listed for the 'Best Golf Course' under £100.00 as part of the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards which will take place during the 3rd week of March 2024.

We really hope that as a golfer and/or member of the public that you will be able to support us! Thank you so much for your consideration and donation if you are able to do so!

The link to our WEBSITE to view images of the damage and erosion we suffered can be viewed from the HOME PAGE.

The areas you see in the course flyover to the left side the first and second holes in the main (this can be viewed around 12 seconds into the video) have since been washed away by up to 6 metres in some parts!

www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk