The Kintyre Club

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The Kintyre Club

Postby Kintyre Forum News » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:55 pm

Found this interesting article on The Kintyre Club when I found an item for sale in e-bay (click here )

http://www.kintyremag.co.uk/1998/20/page4.html

Quite amazing club, and all started by people with Campbeltown origins. Does anyone else have anymore information on the club or history of it?

The Kintyre Club is now past history. It was wound up in the year 1981 after over 150 years of association with, and service to, the people of Kintyre. The Club was formed in 1825 with objectives and functions which were appropriate at that period, and well into the present century, but are no longer relevant to present conditions. This seems to be the time to pay tribute to it, and to make a precis of the Club's purpose and history. It is well documented, and with the exception of the first Minute Book (1825-1845), minute books and other records are extant. In addition to its manuscript records, an Annual Statement was published, and occasionally reports and rolls of members. The most widely distributed of these was a hard-backed booklet entitled "Kintyre and the Kintyre Club 1884," and this is available in the Campbeltown Public Library. All these records have been freely consulted in the preparation of this article, and quotations are from "Kintyre and the Kintyre Club 1884" unless otherwise stated.

The official record states that: "At a Meeting held, by special invitation, at the house of John Campbell, Esq., in Glasgow, on Friday 1st July 1825....a motion was made that a Club, consisting of the gentlemen now present (there were twelve) and such other gentlemen as may be deemed eligible members, should be formed under the title and designation of "The Kintyre Club...." The motion was carried and this meeting was considered to be the first meeting of the "Kintyre Club." The "open and avowed objects of the Club was declared to be "social and rational enjoyment of the Members, in union with the relief and support of decayed and indigent individuals or families resident in this neighbourhood (i.e. Glasgow), who have been either born or are the descendants of parents born in the district from which the Club takes its title." From this original resolution the Club was properly constituted with its formal rules and regulations, and these remained substantially the same throughout the life of the Club. In the amended rules of 1879 the object of the Club was "for social and charitable purposes:" in those of 1883 "for social, charitable and educational purposes; in the amendment of 1927 "for charitable and educational purposes."

Originally there was an entry fee and an annual subscription, but this was consolidated to a single life membership fee which remained at £3 3sh. for Ordinary Members for most of the life of the Club. There were also Honorary Members, who paid £2 2sh. for this privilege: These included Lord Provosts of Glasgow, M.P.'s, and distinguished business men and others who had Kintyre contacts, but not family ties. The Club instituted a "Lady Associate Branch" (fee 10sh 6d.) in 1883, and ladies were admitted to full membership in 1927.

From its beginning the Club was under the patronage of the incumbent Duke of Argyll, and throughout her long life H.R.H. Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, was patroness of the "Lady Associate Branch." The Club's Presidents were elected annually from notable members of the Club resident either in Glasgow or Campbeltown. The affairs of the Club were run by a committee of "Directors" with a Secretary and Treasurer. The last two, who did most of the work, were paid a small honorarium. A special feature of the Kintyre Club in its heyday was the "Corresponding Directors" elected from Members resident in local communities outside Glasgow and Campbeltown, and in the main overseas territories. Their function was to keep contact between the Club and its members in the areas concerned. "Corresponding Directors" were discontinued during the First World War, and after the Second WW, certain other rules and usages regarding office bearers were amended.

Being run mainly by business men, the Club's funds were strictly organised and carefully managed. The Club had no premises and no permanent staff, and its social activities were made to pay for themselves, so that its funds were practically all available for its charitable objectives and for investment. The annual "Abstract of the Treasurer's Accounts," which was printed and circulated each year (till six years ago) to all members provides a very lucid statement of the Club's financial operations.

Though the Kintyre Club started as a social and charitable club, over the years it became purely a charitable organisation. Early records are not available, but it is certain that the first members were "cronies" who enjoyed the Club's social occasions, and considered them the most important of its activities. According to "The Kintyre Club 1879": "Of the founders of the Club it may with propriety be said that they sought primarily the enjoyment of the Annual Festival when the members and their friends had an opportunity for the inter-change of these courtesies which tend to sweeten the leisure hour from the course of business and professional engagements." Apart from the Centenary Dinner in 1925, organised social activities (the Annual Dinner) lapsed about 1900, and from then till the end, the Club concentrated entirely on its charitable and educational objects. Even from the beginning these were never forgotten. Social events were made to pay for themselves, and funds arising from subscriptions were allowed to accumulate till a significant amount was available for charity (from 1830 onwards). Subscriptions and funds from other sources were well managed, and reserves soundly invested, and there appears never to have been a financial 'crisis' in the Club's affairs.

The Annual Dinner was held, two years in three in Glasgow and one in Campbeltown. In Campbeltown it was usually held in the Town Hall, sometimes in the Argyll Arms Hotel, and in Glasgow in one of the city hotels. Prices were usually 7sh. 6d. or 10sh. 6d., for which a sumptious meal was provided, and which today would represent a £25 or £30 meal. There is a special dinner on record, costing 21sh a head at which the Marquis of Lorne was President and many Glasgow and Kintyre notables were present. The Club appears to have reached the zenith of its social activites in the early 1880's, when it held a "Kintyre Gathering" in Glasgow City Hall in 1881, and in 1882 a "Conversazione" in St. Andrew's Hall, the most prestigous hall in Glasgow. These events were attended by members of the Club and their friends, ladies being included on these occasions. In addition to a certain amount of Club business, they provided refreshments, and entertainment in the form of music and dancing. The highlight of this period was a Public Lecture by His Grace the Duke of Argyll, organised by the Club and held in Glasgow's St. Andrew's Hall in October 1883. Invited guests, who constituted the platform party, included high ranking civic and political figures and an inpressive list of academic and professional men. Members' of the Club and their friends had first call on tickets for the floor and galleries of the hall; thereafter they were available to the public. The Duke gave an address on "Geology and the Deluge," in which he tried to reconcile the Biblical (and other) stories of the Flood with the geological knowledge of the times. The lecture was perhaps a bit long-winded, but showed the Duke to be a well informed and observant amateur geologist. It was fully reported in the "Glasgow Herald." (Of 13th October 1883).

The twelve gentlemen who started the Club were all Glasgow "merchants" with Campbeltown origins, probably all of Lowland stock. The Kintyre Club was thus an inspiration of the Lowland community, and its early activities were probably biased accordingly. Soon membership extended to the lairds and other men of standing in Kintyre (from Tarbert to Southend), and later to Kintyreans overseas. Throughout its history the Club dispensed its welfare and educational aid without discrimination to all who deserved it.

The Roll of Members contains at least 2,000 names, and makes interesting reading. Many of the older generation of Campbeltonians will be able to identify their forebears, or, at least recognise the association of many names on the roll. Unfortunately neither the rolls nor the Club records contain detailed information about the members, and the younger generation will see them only as lists of names. This is particularly so as many of the families represented in the lists have now disappeared from this community. Club membership reflects not only the many business connections between Glasgow and Campbeltown, but also the far flung influence of Kintyre in the 19th Century in the Dominions, America, India and other overseas territories, Again, the Kintyre connection will be recognised by the older generation, but there are mysteries. For example, who on earth was Ernest Dupertre of Aux Cayes, Haiti, who became an honorary member in 1859? There is nothing in the available records to provide a clue.



The Kintyre Club's Coat of Arms is reproduced above. It depicts on one side the Campbeltown and on the other the Glasgow Coats of Arms, both superimposed by Clasped Hands and a Heart, which symbolises the formation and objectives of the Club. The President's Chain of Office, each gold link of which is inscribed with the name of a President, has a centre piece or "medal," which bears the inscription on the reverse side: "The Medal was presented by the Kintyre ladies to the Directors of the Kintyre Club, who entrust it to the care of the President for the tine being, and recognise it as the Insignia of Office - August 30 1878." At the time of the presentation the chain consisted of 43 links; it now contains 75, most, but not all, Presidents having added a link.

Prior to the presentation of the President's chain the main "insignia" of the Club was the Campbeltown Herdsman's Horn. In the 18th century and earlier, this horn had been sounded by the Town Herd "to rouse the slumbering natives that they might turn out their cows to be driven to the Whinny Hill - till lately the Town Common at Witchburn. The Horn was "recovered" by Mr. Peter Reid, who became President of the Club in 1834. He bought it from "Auld McGregor," the Town Herd, who may or may not have had the right to sell it. After it was "transformed and silver mounted" it was presented by Mr. Reid in 1837 to the Club to be used as a Snuff Mull. The Horn undoubtedly had a place of honour at the Club dinners, where it was ceremoniously passed round the guests.

Another interesting Club relic is an exact copy of the original Lowland Church bell. The original bell had been cast in Holland in 1638 for Neil Campbell, Bishop of the Isles, whose arms it bore. The Marquis of Argyll, having become a strict Presbyterian, confiscated the bell and presented it to the first Lowland settlers in Kintyre (his proteges), and it was installed in their first church, "The Thatched House," in 1656. When "The Thatched House" was abandoned when it fell into ruins, the bell reverted to the Argyll family, and was transferred to Inveraray. In 1889 the Marquis of Lorne, who was then President of the Club, presented a duplicate of the original bell to the Club. For a time this bell was lost. It had been borrowed by the Duke of Argyll to get another duplicate made, but disappeared. It was later found at Roseneath, and returned to the Club in 1915.

The last time that the Herdsman's Horn and the Bell were publically used by the Club was at the Centenary Dinner in Campbeltown Town Hall on June 19th, 1925. A silver miniature of the Bell was made for this occasion, and presented to the President Col. Charles Mactaggart, to control the proceedings, and later given to him as a memento of the occasion. The chief guest was Sir John McLeod, LLD, son of the famous Rev. Dr. Norman McLeod. In all 104 ladies and gentlemen sat down. The dinner was a great success - an excellent meal was served, appropriate vocal and instrumental music was performed, and a series of cordial and complimentary toasts and speeches were delivered. The President wore his Chain of Office, and the Snuff Mull (the Horn) was passed round. Apart from the Centenary Dinner, organised social activities (the Annual Dinner) lapsed about 1900, and from then till the end, the Club concentrated entirely on its charitable and educational objects.

Today "Social Welfare" and "Public Assistance" are never out of the news, and the problems involved are considered the responsibility of the Govermment. This was not always so and certainly not when the Kintyre Club first functioned. In the 19th century there was certainly much wealth (by the standards of the time) and much real poverty in Campbeltown, and the same was the case of Campbeltonians living in Glasgow. In these circumstances the Kintyre Club was conceived as a charitable institution. Right from the beginning all the income of the Club, except the small amount taken for administration, was used for "charitable purposes" - originally taken to include education as well as poor relief, though later a clear distinction was maintained between relief and education. The Club was adamant in rejecting appeals from organisations and individuals which did not conform to its charitable objectives. It once (1925) turned down an appeal from the Kintyre Antiquarian Society to assist, because of their educational value, excavations at St. Kiaran's Cave!!!

According to records for its first hundred years (up to 1928) the Club had accumulated £8,480 in its Capital Fund and spent a total of £13,777 on charity during this period, made up of £7,040 on Relief and £6,737 on Education. These figures, of course, have little meaning by present day values, and would have to be multiplied at least by 50 to put them into modern perspective. Though the direst need for poor relief and educational aid occurred during the Club's first hundred years, many Kintyreans alive today have reason to be grateful for the Club's help in the depression of the 1930's.

Relief to the needy was the most unobtrusive and the least spectacular of the Club's activities, but in human terms possibly the most important. All cases for assistance were considered and approved by the Directors, usually quietly and expeditiously. They were assisted by a "Relief Committee" and a "Lady Associates Committee ," and by the "Charities Organisation Society (C.O.S.) to which the Club subscribed. Friendly contact and a check on the beneficiary's condition were maintained. A single example from the 1851 Minute Book: Mr. McN.... died in October 1851 leaving a helpless widow without being able to do anything for herself. The person with whom she is lodged has no means to support her beyond what he can spare from any trifling returns by hawking trinkets among the residents of the district." She is allowed five or six shilling a month from the Parish.?? Your Committee, on careful consideration of the case recommend that the allowance formerly given to the husband he continued for his widow." The Directors agreed, and the sum of £2 per year was duly paid.

Relief took several forms. Single payments were made for specific purposes - a steamer fare home, funeral expenses, a wooden leg. Other payments (Bounties" or "Grants") were paid regularly (usually once a quarter) to the recipients. By 1922 this was standard practice and the usual "grant" at that time was £2 per quarter. Such payments made over a number of years became "Pensions." It is evident from the records that the beneficiaries were mostly widows.and old people of both sexes. The majority were resident in or around Glasgow. This is understandable as such exiles were isolated from friends or relatives who might be expected to help them.

Though the amount spent on relief was at least as great as that spent on all aspects of education, it was in this connection that the Club occasionally felt the pinch. In 1877 a special appeal (the £2000 scheme) was launched with the object of increasing the amount of grants. In 1886 it is recorded that "Applications for Relief" were more numerous and pressing than heretofore," and that Club funds had diminished due to a reduction in the number of members. This was a time of trade depression, but the Club launched another appeal for special donations from members, and for new members. As a result funds improved significantly over the following years, and in 1897 Mr. David McDonald endowed the McDonald Annuity Fund, from which "Annuities" (usually 3 concurrently) were paid. Thereafter, the Club was able to meet its welfare commitments to its own satisfaction. With the arrival of old age pensions, unemployment insurance and national assistance, their importance dwindled, though the Club was still paying annuities till very recently, at the rate of £80 per year.

It is because of its educational activities that the Kintyre Club is best known. Prizes, medals and bursaries are things to tell the world about; the giving of charity is just the reverse. The Club's interest in Education started in 1830, at the same time as its charitable activities. That year £5 was spent on school prizes. Since then the presentation of prizes and medals has continued. In 1832 the Club started "school bursaries" and the payment of school fees for needy children. In 1846 it started awarding University Bursaries, and these have continued to the present time.

Although it was the Scottish tradition to provide education for all, this was not always free, and, at the time the Club started fees were charged by most schools. It was to assist with these that "school bursaries" were initiated, and, over many years the Club paid the school fees of 40 to 50 poor children attending schools throughout Kintyre as well as in Campbeltown and Tarbert. This continued till 1881, being no longer required after the Education Act of 1872. In these early days grants were also made to parents to help with their children's education, and to schools and school-masters to improve school facilities. For instance help was given to the "Ragged School," which presumably was itself a charitable institution. The Kintyre Club donated medals and book prizes to all Kintyre schools (including Tarbert) since 1830. Gold medals were presented annually, one each to the dux boy and girl at Campbeltown Grammar School, and one to the dux of Tarbert School. Silver medals were presented to the best pupils at the "qualifying" stage, one each to the Campbeltown schools (including until recently Millknowe and Dalintober) and Tarbert, and one each to groups of country schools. The medals have the insignia of the Club and were inscribed with the name of the winner and the date. Many Kintyreans still treasure their Kintyre Club medal. Because of increased costs and slow delivery in 1948 the donation of medals was discontinued, and special book prizes were given in lieu of the medals. There were also book prizes for the top pupils in particular subjects in all Kintyre schools. They were well bound in leather and cloth and were embossed with the Club's insignia. They covered a wide range of serious subjects - exploration, biography, adventure, good works etc. At one country school, each prize winner got a Bible, presumably at the instigation of the schoolmaster.

There are detailed, though incomplete, records of medal and prize winners. The earlier of these records (mid 1800's) make an interesting comparison with present times. At that time country schools which are now closed or have a dozen or so pupils had 50 or 60 pupils each. At that time also Campbeltown had a multiplicity of schools - many private or Church establishments. There was obviously a degree of segregation as to who attended which school, but there was none in the awarding of prizes. Children of "paupers," "inspectors of poor," fishermen, distillers, labourers, farmers and so on, all appeared on the prize lists.

As the Club matured, higher education became its main interest and the main preoccupation of the Directors. The Club started providing University bursaries in 1847, and, thereafter, several members donated or bequeathed specific sums for this purpose. Thus there arose: the "Kintyre (Ker) Bursary," the "Duncan McCallum Bursary," the "James Greenlees Bursary," and the "Dr. Robert Fullarton Bursary." These bursaries were worth around £25 per year, except for the last which went up to £80 per year. They were available to students from Kintyre or with Kintyre connections and were tenable for 3 years for attendance at any Scottish University or Institute of Higher Education. They were awarded on merit, as adjudged by examination results, to eligible candidates. The circumstances of the applicant (and his family) had to be such that in the opinion of the Directors, financial aid was necessary, or at least beneficial. In this respect there is a case on record where the "Campbeltown Journal" in 1854 alleged that the Club had granted bursaries to two young men of substantial means -an allegation which the Directors indignantly refuted.

The administration of the bursaries required close association with the Scottish Education Department, especially in more recent times when they had to conform to relevant legislation. Thus, arrangements were officially formalised under the "Kintyre Bursaries Schemes" of 1932 and 1957 by orders under the appropriate Education Acts. While regulating the procedures, these Acts left the Directors of the Club free to select and supervise the candidates. Bursars were expected to pursue and complete their studies satisfactorily, and the Directors followed their performance throughout the course, taking a personal and fatherly interest in their progress. In cases where training extended to a fourth year the Club was usually prepared to extend the bursary or offer a special grant. By today's values £25 per year is not worth much, but it meant a lot when University fees were around £10 per year and lodging could be obtained for £1 per week. At that time it probably determined whether a promising student could or could not get a University education, and there is little doubt that a Kintyre Club Bursary has given many a successful Kintyrean a start in life. Taking a wider view, the Kintyre Club's preoccupation with education for more than a century has made a contribution to the world at large. Not only were Campbeltown and Kintyre prominent in the Glasgow business community in the 19th century, but they sent merchants, professional men and administrators to almost every part of the world; and in numbers out of proportion to their size. How far was this success due to the Kintyre Club's stimulation, encouragement and help to learning at all levels? Undoubtedly it inspired the wish to "get on," and in many cases provided the means of so doing.

Times have changed. The Welfare State has taken over the functions of the Kintyre Club, and, even if it did give relief or educational aid, this would have to be taken into account by the authorities concerned in estimating supplementary benefits and educational grants. Moreover, the funds at the disposal of the Club have been greatly devalued by inflation. Thus, there is no longer any significant role for the Kintyre Club to play in this comunity. The decision to wind up the Club was inevitable, and was finally taken at a General Meeting of the Club on 5th May 1981.

The final meeting also decided on the disposal of the Club's assets. After meeting its own legal, accounting and administrative expenses, it agreed to transfer the funds donated or bequeathed for educational purposes to the Strathclyde Regional Council as Governors of the County of Argyll Educational Trust, and the remainder of the funds to the Trustees of the Argyll and Bute Trust. The President's Chain of Office was presented to the Campbeltown Museum, and the ownership of the Herdsman's Horn and the Lowland Church Bell on loan there was transferred to the Museum.

By so allocating its assets, the Club hoped to maintain their Kintyre association. The Argyll and Bute Trust, which donates funds from its income for charitable purposes, is expected to earmark the appropriate income for Kintyre. (Kintyre being represented by a trustee.) The County of Argyll Educational Trust administers various educational endowments under a "scheme" formulated by the Scottish Education Department. The present "scheme" is due for revision, and should include the Kintyre Club endowments for bursaries and prizes. It is anticipated that the bursaries will be allocated to Kintyre and the "Kintyre Club" prizes will retain their distinctive identity.

We hope, therefore, that the name of the "Kintyre Club" will be perpetuated, and that the Club and its good works will not be forgotten.
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Postby Tom B » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:21 am

thanks for posting - interesting read. Although I'd heard of the Kintyre Club, didn't know this detail
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Postby TYM » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:04 pm

I think I remember being presented with a book, "Barlasch of the Guard" I think it was called, at Primary School. This was the "Kintyre Club Prize". Never knew what it was all about at the time.
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Re: The Kintyre Club

Postby Mary M McIndoe » Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:43 pm

It's interesting to see the notes on the Kintyre Club. Going through a pile of documents and general relics, I've come accross the medal awarded to Duncan MacDougall in 1882, in Tarbert School. How old Duncan was I'm not sure, but he was, I believe a brother of my maternal grandmother Mary Macdougall (1879 -1955).
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Re: The Kintyre Club

Postby ali7ms » Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:59 pm

Many thanks for this fascinating article. Our relations Alexander Fleming ( who became an ironmaster in Glasgow) and John Fleming his nephew, who worked in the whisky industry in Glasgow, were heavily involved in this club. I wonder if anybody has any more information on these two gentlemen.
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Re: The Kintyre Club

Postby ANNE WELLSTEAD » Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:03 am

ali7ms - re Alexander Fleming, have you noticed the writeup on him and other family members in the Oatfield House website; also several newspaper reports after his death in 1909, when his estate amounted to an enormous 1.3 million pounds sterling.
Must be one of the most financially successful Kintyre people.
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