Club History

The building contract was awarded to McLaughlan and Harvey for £4,100 and the present Clubhouse was created for a final sum of £5,789 plus furnishings.

After 16 months the building was finished - quite an achievement even by today's standards. The grand total including furnishings and land was £8,157. The area of the tennis court, garage and car park was bought in 1905.

Much of this capital was raised through debentures from members, and several large donations were made, particularly from the brothers John and Charles Lepper.

The Clubhouse had an informal opening on Wednesday 12th April 1899 when the press and Officers of other clubs were invited. Three days later, on Saturday 15th April 1899, there was a reception for all members and guests, with bands on the lawns, teas and dinner that evening. the press at that time reported 'a reception for 300 ladies and gentlemen, followed by an inaugural dinner for 60 members and guests.’A special train was run to Belfast.

The dining room was originally downstairs, but before the First World War it moved to the drawing room upstairs. Meals were prepared downstairs in the kitchen and then brought up in a hoist. The hatch can still be seen in the east end of the Gloucester Room, and the hoist casing is still in place in the staff kitchen.

There were no Steward's quarters in the original design, and these were added later. The Club Steward from 1923 to 1966 was William (Willie) Moran, and he lived in the clubhouse with his wife. He first started work as a "junior boy" in the Club in 1912. He is still fondly remembered by senior members as a paragon of industry, discretion and diplomacy. His service to the Club was exceptional, even on Christmas Day.

Since 1973 catering has been in a franchise arrangement. Dining was transferred downstairs to be nearer the kitchens. The Club layout has obviously been a problem since it opened. The upstairs drawing room was renamed the Gloucester Room in the 1970's.

The Billiards Room was without a table from 1924 to 1948, and at that time was called the Large Card Room. The Small Card Room was later the committee Room, and more recently renamed the Lipton Room. The Strangers Room, a rather unfriendly title, was as far as visitors to the Club were permitted without a member accompanying them. It now has a series of photographs of anchorages on the West Coast of Scotland, presented by the Clyde Cruising Club in 1987. A selection of half models are on display here also. The Gentlemen's Locker Room and Changing Room was converted to the "Back Bar" in 1956, and is still a snug spot on a stormy night.

Originally there were ten bedrooms for member's use. Many have been converted to offices and a training room on the second floor. Only four external additions have been made: a some-what stark front bar in 1962, the gentlemen's changing rooms and showers in 1978 and the front porch extension was added in 1990 during renovation. In 2002 a new dining room replaced the front bar which had been added in 1962.

The Club building is listed by the Department of Environment as a building of historic interest. The exterior and main rooms cannot be altered without consent.

The use of the Club has changed since Vincent Craig's bold design but there is no questioning the magnificence of the site and the quality of materials in the Clubhouse. There are few yacht clubs in the world with such a commanding view of their sailing waters."