Historic Donald Ross Golf Clubs to be Donated to Dornoch Museum

A significant piece of golfing heritage is returning to Dornoch as a set of original golf clubs owned by the renowned course designer Donald Ross is being donated to the Historylinks Museum. Canadian resident Jane MacElligott will officially present these clubs to Lynne Mahoney, the museum’s curator, on October 21, 2023.

The clubs have been preserved within Ross’s extended family for decades, and their transfer to Historylinks marks an important moment in the community’s efforts to maintain its rich history. The story behind these artifacts is woven deeply into family ties and the shared commitment to honour local heritage.

Jane MacElligott is the daughter of Donnie Calder, who is connected to Donald Ross as his nephew through Ross’s sister, Jane Calder (née Ross). Donnie Calder spent his formative years in Dornoch before moving to Edinburgh and eventually emigrating to Canada, where he settled in Vancouver. He passed down the original set of clubs to Jane, who has kept them in her possession ever since.

The connection between the Calder family and Dornoch was revitalised in 2023 through Brian Munro, a relative of Donnie Calder. Brian’s late uncle, George Calder, was a notable golfer and held the Silver Medal at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club in the 1950s. After George’s passing in 1971 and the subsequent death of his wife in 1991, Brian inherited their home in Inverness. In the process of clearing out the house, he found a box of family memorabilia that included items linked to Donald Ross and Dornoch.

Brian decided to donate this collection to Historylinks Museum in early 2023, ensuring these pieces of history would remain in the town where they originated. “I was anxious that the Donald Ross items remain in Dornoch,” Brian stated. “They could be quite valuable at auction, but the idea of them disappearing into a private collection didn’t sit well with me. They belong here.”

After cataloguing the items and updating the museum’s website, Lynne Mahoney received an unexpected inquiry from Jane MacElligott in Canada, who was surprised to see her family name featured. Following discussions with Brian, it was agreed that some personal family memorabilia would be returned to the Calder family in Canada. However, the historically significant items, including the golf clubs, will remain on display in Dornoch.

Jane had initially planned to visit Scotland in 2024, but due to health issues, her trip was postponed. She has since confirmed her travel plans and will be in Scotland from October 15 to November 4, 2023, visiting family in Edinburgh before heading north to Dornoch.

The donation of the clubs has garnered enthusiasm from the local community, including Neil Hampton, General Manager at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, who expressed interest in welcoming Jane during her visit. The Historylinks Museum has confirmed that the clubs will be prominently displayed, serving as a lasting tribute to the legacy of Donald Ross and the town that played a crucial role in shaping one of golf’s most influential course designers.