Dunfermline Tennis Club is the oldest club in Scotland still in existence on its original site!

In 1879, two grass courts were marked out in the grounds of Bothwell Linen Works where the two present single artificial grass courts are today. There was also a small wooden clubhouse facing south over the courts. Three red blaes courts were laid in 1924 where the three Tiger Turf courts are today. A farsighted committee bought ground for the Club from the mill liquidators in 1933.

After the Second World War, during which time the courts had been used by the army, three 'Grey Griselda' (clay) courts and a new clubhouse were opened in 1949. That clubhouse, extended by members’ own labour in 1971, was destroyed by fire in 1974. After a huge fund-raising effort, the present clubhouse was completed in 1978. In order to finance the upkeep of the new clubhouse, Dunfermline Bridge Club, who were then looking for new premises, joined up with the Tennis Club.

In 2019, the clubhouse was reconfigured and refurbished to provide a modern clubroom for tennis. It was officially opened by JJ Chalmers in 2021. 

As well as being one of the oldest tennis clubs in Scotland, Dunfermline has also been one of the most successful.

In the period from 1988 through to the 2000s, Dunfermline Ladies won the Scottish Cup a record-breaking 18 times. They also reached the semi-final of the British Club Championship, only losing out on a countback of games to a team from London containing French Open Champion, Sue Barker.

At the core of the team were players who had come through the Dunfermline coaching programme.  Many of the players went on to represent East of Scotland County and Scotland.

In all, three Grand Slam tennis champions have graced the Dunfermline Tennis Club courts.  Jamie and Andy Murray were regulars at the club when they were younger. They spent hours developing the skills that would take them to Wimbledon titles in singles and mixed doubles.

Judy was a member of the successful Dunfermline Ladies team during the 1990s.  Judy came back to open our new clay courts back in 2006 and she has promised to come back again and host a coaching clinic.

Club History Boards

We're delighted and extremely grateful that Susan Mackintosh has been working throughout 2024 on creating a tangible record of the club's history - and the results are spectacular!  The first six history boards, telling the club's story as far as 2006, are now on display on the main staircase.  We hope members past and present will take time to study them and enjoy the experience.  The history boards will be published here in digital form soon......