Our History

Gleneagles throughout the years

When Gleneagles first opened its doors in 1924, this magnificent countryside estate in the heart of Scotland was described as a “Riviera in the Highlands”.

It goes back to
1910

The Gleneagles Vision

A sketch of a man

Donald Matheson, General Manager of the Caledonian Railway Company, was inspired to create Gleneagles while on holiday in Strathearn. He was so impressed by the local countryside that he conjured up the vision of a palatial country house hotel with a golf course.

A sketch of a man
watercolour of a gleneagles estate map

1913

Gleneagles Ltd was formed to construct and operate the proposed hotel and golf courses.

1914

After the outbreak of the First World War in August, the project was halted – and it was not resumed until 1922.

1919

Matheson had engaged James Braid, a five-time winner of The Open, to design and create The King’s and The Queen’s courses in the hotel grounds. Forged out of the rugged terrain using manual labour, horse and cart, The King’s and Queen’s were opened on 1 May 1919, five years before the hotel.

People at Glenegales in 1921

1921

Gleneagles made sporting history when it hosted the first international match between American and British professional golfers, in what is regarded as the precursor to The Ryder Cup.
A train at Gleneagles station in 1923

1923

The Caledonian Railway Company became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). Prior to opening in 1924, Gleneagles Ltd was taken over fully by LMS, an action ratified by Act of Parliament.
A Riviera in the Highlands
1924

When the hotel opened on Saturday 7th June 1924, the media hailed it “the eighth wonder of the world”. The great band leader, Henry Hall, and his band performed at the opening Gala Ball – which made history when it was broadcast across the land on BBC Radio.

1930

A historical photo of Gleneagles

Golf and hotels were the height of fashion. Then, as now, the Gleneagles Hotel was a glorious playground for people dedicated to leisure and pleasure in the most luxurious surroundings.

A historical photo of Gleneagles

1939

When the Second World War broke out, the hotel closed and became a military hospital and later a miners’ rehabilitation centre.

Gleneagles in 1939
A group of people at Gleneagles in 1939

1947

A menu from 1947

Gleneagles reopened as a hotel. Its restaurants had to comply with the Ministry of Food rationing order.

A menu from 1947

1950

A coronation invitation from 1950

Gleneagles was a regular fixture on the high society calendar: the London “season” was followed by yachting at Cowes, polo at Deauville and golf and grouse shooting at Gleneagles.

A coronation invitation from 1950

1977

Men outside Gleneagles in 1977

Commonwealth leaders gathered at Gleneagles to agree a boycott of sporting contact with South Africa, signing the Gleneagles Agreement in an effort to step up pressure on the country’s apartheid regime.

Men outside Gleneagles in 1977

1982

The hotel opened year-round for the first time. In December, the Country Club (now The Health Club), was created out of the hotel’s garage.

Gleneagles staff in 1982
The gym at Gleneagles in 1982

1985

The Jackie Stewart Shooting School opened, followed by the Mark Phillips Equestrian Centre in 1988 (now The Gleneagles Shooting School and The Gleneagles Equestrian School).

A shooting party at Gleneagles in 1985
Jackie Stewart with a horse at Gleneagles in 1985

1986

Gleneagles received 5 red AA stars

Gleneagles was awarded the Automobile Association’s supreme accolade of Five Red Stars, which it has retained every year.

Gleneagles received 5 red AA stars
The British School of Falconry opened its doors
1992

1993

Guests at Gleneagles in 1993

Jack Nicklaus designed and opened The Monarch’s Course, later renamed The PGA Centenary Course.

Guests at Gleneagles in 1993
Andrew Fairlie in 2001
Two Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie was opened
2001

The late Andrew Fairlie opened his eponymous restaurant at Gleneagles. It gained its first Michelin star in 2002, followed by a second in 2006. Andrew Fairlie remains Scotland’s only two Michelin-starred restaurant.

A new hotel wing, Braid House, was opened
2002

2005

Global heads of government gathered at Gleneagles for the G8 Summit. The hotel’s Glendevon Room was transformed into a high security meeting room. Her Majesty the Queen hosted a state dinner prepared by Andrew Fairlie.

The Spa
2008

Gleneagles created The Spa by ESPA, an award-winning 18-treatment-room spa (now The Spa at Gleneagles).

2011

A major renovation of The Clubhouse saw the creation of a new Bar & Grill (now The Dormy) and The Blue Bar – an outdoor space for enjoying the finest whisky and cigars.

Colin Montgomery in 2011
Plaque commenmorating the opening of the Dormy Clubhouse in 2011

2014

The sun shines towards the camera over the first tee of thr PGA Centeneary course during the Ryder Cup 2014

Gleneagles became only the second venue in Scotland to host a Ryder Cup match when Team USA came to Perthshire in September 2014. The first time was in 1973 at Muirfield in East Lothian. It was European Captain Paul McGinley who came out smiling as his team defeated the US team led by Tom Watson by 16.5 points to 12.5 points to win the cup. Jamie Donaldson sealed the victory with a perfect pitching wedge to two feet on the 15h hole which was conceded by Keegan Bradley.

The sun shines towards the camera over the first tee of thr PGA Centeneary course during the Ryder Cup 2014
Watercolour image of a tennis racquet and ball

2015

Gleneagles was purchased from Diageo. The purchase was led by Sharan Pasricha, Founder of Ennismore, a London-based owner and developer of unique hospitality properties and experiences. The Gleneagles Arena, a new 2,500 sq m events space and tennis centre, was officially opened.
watercolour image of a bed

2016

Under the leadership of Sharan Pasricha, a six-year renovation programme at Gleneagles was launched, the biggest investment in the hotel’s history, marking the start of an exciting new chapter. The transformation has seen the creation of three new bars, three restaurants, an afternoon tea lounge, children’s adventure spaces, a beauty lodge, and the redesign of all bedrooms and suites.

2017

A Gleneagles and Co handbag

Plans to create a Gleneagles outpost at 38 St Andrew Square in Edinburgh were announced. The former Bank of Scotland building is being transformed into a small hotel, along with private membership, to bring Gleneagles’ magic to Scotland’s capital. Gleneagles also launched an artisan range in collaboration with Scottish and British Makers, Gleneagles & Co, encompassing fine foods, homeware and a beautiful leather collection.

A Gleneagles and Co handbag
Hello, Ochil House
2018

A brand new private events wing, Ochil House, was launched. Gleneagles also made sporting history again when it hosted the Glasgow 2018 European Golf Team Championships, with Europe’s elite male and female golfers competing side-by-side for equal prize money for the first time in history.

Catriona Mathew and the 2019 Solheim Cup
Solheim Cup
2019

2019

The European Solheim Cup team with trophy

Record crowds of more than 90,000 spectators attended The 2019 Solheim Cup – the highest attended women’s golf event in British history. Gleneagles is now the only golfing destination in Europe to have hosted both The Ryder Cup and The Solheim Cup. The hotel’s iconic fine dining restaurant, The Strathearn, was relaunched following a beautiful makeover, while The Gleneagles Retail Arcade was also redesigned to showcase a new range of luxury boutiques and brands.

The European Solheim Cup team with trophy