History of the Kintyre Club

On Friday, 1st July 1825, 12 gentlemen came together to form the Kintyre Club, a club dedicated to the “social and rational enjoyment of the Members, in union with the relief and support of decayed and indigent individuals or families resident in this neighbourhood (i.e. Glasgow), who have been either born or are the descendants of parents born in the district from which the club takes its title.”

Throughout its history, The Kintyre Club dispensed welfare and educational aid without discrimination to all who deserved it. During the time of the Club’s creation, there was great wealth, as well as great poverty, in Campbeltown and for Campbeltonians living in Glasgow, with no social welfare or public assistance from the government. All income of the Club, save a small amount for administrative purposes, was used for charitable endeavours. All social events were created to pay for themselves and funds from dues were allowed to accumulate until a significant amount was available for charity (from 1830 on).

The Kintyre Club is best known for its educational activities, gifting prizes, medals and bursaries. Paying school fees for children, assisting schools and teachers to improve school facilities, University bursaries and rewards to the top students of the area schools. While many of the Clubs’ works are forgotten, the University bursaries sent many deserving Kintyreans off to a successful start in life and many of the medals and books awarded to promising students remain in their families to this day.