The Maitland Bowling Club

Thank you for visiting our website. Its current purpose is to provide some basic information about the club. Our main sources of communication is via our members' Facebook page and email. Members wishing to access our Facebook page should search for 'maitland bowling club' in the Facebook search bar.

We have plans to update this site later on this year with more meaninful content.

Our fees for 2024 are published under the Membership tab.

Mark Patrizio
Club President

A brief history

As part of the celebration of the Club's 100th birthday in 1999, a little booklet has been prepared by W L Douglass and I have copied large chunks for the following 'potted history'. (They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..)

The village of Davidson's Mains sits on the north-western outskirts of Edinburgh and was locally known as 'Muttonhole', as sheep were gathered here prior to going to slaughter for the people of the City. In February of 1899, a meeting was held in the Muirhouse Arms and those present resolved to form a bowling club. A number of local gentlemen requested of Miss M G R Maitland the use of a 'Rectangle of Ground adjoining the Bridge on the Leith Road' which she duly gifted for the nominal sum of 5/- yearly. Quick workers in those days, the green and a pavilion were built and officially opened by Miss Maitland in the July of that year. Entry fees in 1899 were fixed at £1.1.0 and 10/- subscription and a greenkeeper appointed on 8/- a week. Equivalent to approximately £105, £50 and £40 respectively in todays money.

The Club straight away joined the Midlothian Bowling Association and in 1904 joined the Scottish Bowling Association. It wasn't until 1939 that they joined the Edinburgh & Leith Bowling Association.

Ladies have been prominent in the life and work of the Club since 1920 and gained Full Membership rights in 1996. In 1936 Maitland was a founder member in, what was, The Scottish Women's Bowling Association.The members over the years have gained many accolades, as can be seen by the proudly displayed notice boards in the Members Lounge. The Clubhouse was renovated and extended in time for the Centenary and was opened by Lady Militsa Maitland almost 100 years after Miss M R G Maitland performed the original opening ceremony and permitted the club to use her name.