THE  BRAID  ESTATE  RECREATION GROUNDS  (BERG)

In 1890 the proprietors of the Braid Estate, (the Gordons of Cluny), formed the Braid Estate Recreation Grounds consisting of a bowling green and a tennis club with their associated pavilions. The cost of the construction of these facilities was added to the original purchase prices of the houses of the Braid Estate, then under construction.  Thus the ultimate ownership of both the Tennis Club and the Bowling Club is shared by the c 250 houses that comprise the original Braid Estate.  This early 1890s plan of the Braid Estate shows the estate boundaries and the recently completed Tennis and Bowling Clubs. As you can see work had yet to start on the eastern part of the estate (e.g Cluny Terrace and Cluny Place)

The responsibility for the effective running of these facilities was assigned by the proprietors to a Committee of Management (BERG), comprising elected representatives of the feuers and representatives of both the Tennis and Bowling Clubs. This arrangement still operates today, though the feudal superiority of the Gordons of Cluny was ended with The Abolition of Feudal Tenure (Scotland) Act 2000.

While both the Tennis and Bowling Clubs have considerable flexibility to run their own affairs, nevertheless issues of governance, membership, subscriptions and major property matters are still the final responsibility of BERG, acting on behalf of the householders of the Braid Estate.

Neither the Tennis nor the Bowling Clubs pays any rent to BERG.  The arrangement is that once essential running costs have been deducted, any surplus left over from the annual subscription income is passed on to BERG. These monies are then held by BERG to be used for any major maintenance work that is required to be carried out or to support any major construction work identified by the respective clubs (e.g. the resurfacing of the tennis courts).  Thereafter the clubs are perfectly at liberty to raise their own funds to assist with running costs and minor improvements to the facilities.

These rather anachronistic arrangements continue to operate smoothly to this day and there is a close working relationship between BERG and the respective Club committees. An annual newsletter is issued to feuers updating them regarding the operations of the two clubs.

 However the BERG Committee would welcome new members.  Any member of either the Tennis Club or the Bowling Club who lives within the Braid Estate who would be interested in joining then please contact

 Eric Melvin, 6 Cluny Place, EH10 4RL. 447/5578.  Eric.Melvin@btinternet.com

BERG Rules and Regulations 

Booklet about the Braid Estate Clubs

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