£3m investment plan for Montrose Links revealed as golfers’ views sought on takeover bid
The public consultation stage of a 99-year takeover of Montrose Golf Links in a multi-million-pound plan has begun.
Locals now have around eight weeks to give their views on proposals to transfer the running of the Angus town’s common good golf operations into private hands. Those include the 1562 Course, which is the world’s fifth oldest 18-hole layout.
It would see Montrose become the latest venue in the growing portfolio of The Ancient Links Golf Company (TALGC).
The firm, formed in 2025, already operates Forfar Golf Club and Scotscraig Golf Club in Fife. TALGC is promising investment of £3 million in Montrose over the first five years of the £30,000-a-year lease.
In June, Angus councillors agreed to take the proposal forward. Under community empowerment legislation, the plan must be the subject of an eight-week public consultation.
Almost 800 Montrose season ticket holders and the wider community are now being asked for their views on the TALGC bid.
Montrose Golf Links Limited (MGLL), comprising Angus Council, Royal Montrose and Mercantile Golf Club, and the Montrose Caledonia Golf Club currently operates the links.
Under the long-term deal, MGLL would take on the 99-year links lease, with TALGC responsible for day-to-day operations.
The proposals include:
- Investment of at least £3 million in the Links over the first five years
- Protection of public access to both courses
- Priority access and discounted pricing for Angus residents
- Continued operation of the 1562 and Broomfield courses as public golf facilities
- Ongoing council oversight through legally binding agreements covering access, pricing and course standards
Key areas are covered in the Golf Access Rights Agreement (GARA).
The GARA also reveals the price Montrose season tickets holders would be expected to pay for the next five years.
- 2026/27 £720
- 2027/28 £800
- 2028/29 £850
- 2029/30 £900
- 2030/31 £950
- 2031/32 £999
Guest rates for Angus players are also outlined. Those suggest a modest rise from £40 to £60 for the 1562 medal course between next year and 2032.
However, the GARA does not detail any planned increase in visitor green fees.
The Montrose GARA is similar to one produced for Carnoustie Golf Links when operations there were transferred into private hands in March 2025.
Carnoustie Links executives Michael Wells and Adair Simpson were pivotal in securing the deal before leaving the business to set up TALGC.
The consultation has been launched on the Engage Angus portal of the council’s website and closes on October 9. All comments will be published anonymously.
A full meeting of Angus Council will then make a final decision on the links plan.
TALGC first approached the council with its proposal towards the end of 2025.
The company said it hoped new arrangements could be put in place as quickly as possible to allow for work on the 1562 Course to protect it from further coastal erosion.
The proposed lease provides for temporary rent relief “where significant and exceptional costs arise due to coastal erosion”.
If the erosion impact makes the links no longer viable to operate, the agreement would also allow for a temporary suspension of obligations or potential termination of the lease.
This article appeared in the Courier on 18 August 2026