Trams were running along Hope Terrace when Whitehouse and Grange Bowling Club was founded in 1872. The mock Tudor clubhouse designed by Sir George Washington Brown was built at the cost of £173. A striking building in a beautiful setting. As well as a Bowling Club there was a Curling Rink at the south end of the green where tea is being served today. It was in use as a curling rink until 1912.
Essentially, we are a bowling club. Our philosophy, as well as providing opportunities for bowling, is to engage with the local community and to make our grounds a space for everyone to enjoy- bowlers and non-bowlers alike. COVID lockdowns highlighted the value our open space around the Green. Over time the garden area had become overgrown and remedial action was required. Marking our 150th anniversary in 2022, an initiative was commenced to bring back the garden to its former glory. A small group of five individuals from the Club undertook to co-ordinate this task. The result of work over three years is a huge impact on the planting and structure of the Garden. The Rose Garden was replanted. 40 barrowloads of donated stones from nearby building work were reused to edge all the borders replacing rotting timber. Removing steps and ramping has improved access for those with limited mobility. Benches have been added from timber recycled from repair work to the Clubhouse. A tree was planted to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III adding to the tree planted to mark the Coronation of his
Grandfather King George V1 in 1937. Last year trees were planted by the Lord Provost as part of celebration to mark Edinburgh 900 and to mark 100 years since Eric Liddell won gold at the Paris Olympics. Our efforts brought us to the attention of the Scotland’s Garden Scheme. We now open our garden for two locally based charities St Columba’s Hospice and the Eric Liddell Community. For the restoration of the garden and, in general, for the significant contribution that the Club make to the local community we received The Grange Award in 2024
The group of five persons formed in 2022 (all in their 70s) have been mainly responsible for taking the work to transform our garden. Their activities and leadership have led to othermembers of the Club also showing renewed interest in taking up gardening and contributing to our efforts. Our volunteer force has been cutting back shrubs, digging up old roots, laying slabs putting in new paths, weeding and planting etc. We have received donations of plants from the Grange Association Garden Group. Visiting Club have commented on the splendour of our grounds providing an attractive backcloth the bowling activities on the Green. We are developing our relationship with the Eric Liddell Community Garden Group and their dementia support team. Passers- by in the street often step in to have a look round and are amazed at how magnificent our garden now look. Thus, our transformed garden space has attracted increased membership of the Club. Our Open Day for our first year in the Scotland’s Garden Scheme in 2024 brought over 100 visitors and we expect that given the increased visibility of the work we have done that this year we might exceed that figure.
See programme fro our open day in 2025
Pictures from Open day 29th June 2025
Our main asset – our magnifcant and much appreciated bowling green
The Rose Garden
The W&G Garden Gang
Lord Provost plants a tree for Edinburgh 900 duirng Scotland’s Garden Scheme Open day on 30th June 2024
Sue Catton, Eric Liddell’s niece plants a Rowan Tree exactly 100 years after Eric Liddell won 400m gold medal in Paris
President Soosan Danesh plants a tree to mark the Coronation of King Charles III assisted by the Grange Association tree expert Peter Pitkin
Hon Presidnet Michael Marshall and President , Gill Brown plant tree to marks teh Club’s 150 Annversary
Pupils from Sciennes Primary School plant tree to mark Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee in 2022
Whitehouse & Grange Bowling Club 