An under-threat golf course has been saved by a merger with a nearby club.
Blair Atholl faced a bleak future after member numbers dwindled to just 110 and revenues plummeted.
Now, however, the company behind Pitlochry Golf Club has stepped in to rescue the struggling community course, which was built in 1896.
Pitlochry Golf Ltd has transformed the fortunes at its club in the past five years, growing membership by 25% and overseeing a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence.
Following an almost unanimous vote of approval from members at both clubs, the firm will operate both Pitlochry and Blair Atholl from January.
Membership will entitle golfers to play and enjoy facilities at both clubs and the deal will create up to four full-time jobs at Blair Atholl.
Welcoming the deal, David Morrison, who joined the Blair Atholl club 47 years ago at the age of eight, said: “I think if we had stayed the way we were for another two or three years, we would have to close the doors forever, which would have been a huge tragedy.
“This has secured the future of the club and I am very excited about it.
“We saw what the guys had done at Pitlochry so we approached them, they were enthusiastic and here we are. I’d love to see the clubhouse packed again like it used to be, for golfers and locals alike, because the club is part of the community.”
Pitlochry Golf Ltd directors believe their business model could return the club to viability in three years.
Director Jon Erasmus said: “We will work with the membership to create a commercial entity that, in time, can stand on its own two feet because this is a vital community resource. Pitlochry Golf Club was in a relatively similar circumstance five years ago but we have managed to employ more people, build an academy and we are now developing the golf course, which will continue.”
He went on: “In terms of value, members will have access to two golf courses, two clubhouses and they can play all the competitions and all the medals, for the same cost.
“There are few other clubs in Scotland where this is the case.”