Gleneagles
"Why do I have such great affection for Scotland? The people are so warm ... and you've got Gleneagles. If only you had the Californian weather, I'd move there." Bob Hope "I have always thought that Gleneagles is one of the greatest places in the world to play golf." Jack Nicklaus, Golfer of the Century "If Heaven is as good as this, I sure hope they have some tee times left." Lee Trevino at the 1st tee on the King's Course "It is always a great pleasure to bring people to Gleneagles." Jackie Stewart "It is a really wonderful golf course" Sean Connery on the PGA Centenary Course "Gleneagles is truly a world class resort ... " Cheryl Ladd, voted Woman of the World for her charitable work "The PGA Centenary Course is completely different to the other courses, it is fabulous" Stephen Hendry "All round a rare treat ... " Ronnie Corbett "Gleneagles ... has become virtually a monument as well as a hotel, revered by many and definitely a Scottish landmark" Roy Ackerman, Ackerman Charles Heidsieck Guide 1994 " ... efficiency and cheerfulness ... evidence of a well trained and motivated staff" Malcolm Rifkind, UK Defence Secretary on the 1993 Nato ConferenceThe hotel provides the public with little information about its history. Our team researches the hotel's past, from the very beginning, verifying its exact opening date and providing an overview of its history up to the present day.?If you have any useful information and would like to share it, please send it to archives@famoushotels.org.?Thank you
This is what we know so far (attention: unverified history!):
1924: When Gleneagles opened in 1924 it was described as 'a Riviera in the Highlands' and 'the eighth wonder of the world'.
Today, the hotel remains dedicated to excellence, just as it was in its earliest days when 'the avowed intention of the management is to create happiness'.
The hotel was built by the former Caledonian Railway Company, with its own railway station. Gleneagles is now owned by Diageo plc.
By the 1930s, golf and hotel were the height of fashion. Then as now, Gleneagles was the glorious playground for people dedicated to leisure and pleasure in the most luxurious surroundings.
In the 1950s, Gleneagles was a fixed part of high society's calendar - after the London season it was yachting at Cowes, polo at Deauville and golf and grouse shooting at Gleneagles.
Until 1982, the hotel only opened during the summer months.
Between 1982-86 more than 11 million was spent on a total renovation and restoration and the elegance and traditions of Gleneagles can now be enjoyed all year round. Total capital investment since 1982 is more than 46 million.
In 1986, Gleneagles was awarded the Automobile Association's supreme accolade of Five Red Stars, which it has retained every year. Since 1982, it has won more than 30 awards from the travel, catering and associated industries.
In 1993, the 5.9 million PGA Centenary Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, opened to complement the renowned King's and Queen's courses and form one of the world's finest golfing venues.
The Golf Academy, opened in 1994, enshrines the philosophy that improving a player's performance improves their enjoyment of the game.
Rooms