Bill Lothian, 22 July 2020

Craigmillar Park Tennis Club mark their centenary in 2021 and are appealing for anyone with relevant photographs, records, trophies etc to get in touch.

Organiser Derek Edwardson says: “We are especially interested in photographs of the old clubhouse and courts before we moved to make way for Cameron Toll shopping Centre.”

The club is now situation immediately behind the shopping centre car park having started in 1921 as Craigmillar Lawn Tennis Club then at some point changed its name to Craigmillar Park.

 “Any information relating to this name change would be especially welcome” says Derek, adding: “We are hoping to hold a small exhibition so the loan of any period tennis rackets, balls, clothing, etc would be appreciated.”

The club was actually conceived on June 4, 1920 when a committee was set up to examine the possibility of converting a curling pond on Lady Road, Liberton, into tennis courts. 

Their report determined that it would be possible to prepare three blaes courts with all fences for the sum of £220, The club opened in 1921.

In the late 1970s the Club bought the grounds it occupied for £1500 and the purchase proved to be a bargain as plans to build a shopping centre round the club premises emerged. They would have to be relocated and given new courts, and as owners of the grounds, the club were in a good position for negotiating with the developers.

The outcome was a site with four all-weather courts to replace the three excellent but often weather-plagued blaes courts and a new clubhouse.  In 1981,they moved from what is now the site of the Cameron Toll petrol station.

The men’s team soon won an inaugural promotion to Division One of the East of Scotland League and for the next 13 years remsained in either Division One of Two.

In 2006 the women’s team won the East Division Two inter-club singles title and a year later the men did likewise.

The last decade has seen the club win the East mixed doubles summer social league six times in seven years since its inception and the winter mixed league in 2011 and 2015.

A men’s fourth team was also created for the first time in many years and a decade of achievement has included winning the Pringle Cup for the first time in 25 years and the men’s Vets team winning Division One at their first attempt.

Our photographs show club prize giving after finals day in 1966. the club courts today, a group gathering from 1964 and a "Scotsman" cutting marking the official opening back in 1921.

To assist the club with memorabilia please e-mail: derek.edwardson@btopenworld.com