One of Scotland’s most famous golfing bars has closed for a major refurbishment after decades of welcoming everyone from Hollywood stars to presidents and the first man on the moon.
The Golfers Corner Bar and Claret Jug Restaurant at The Dunvegan Hotel in St Andrews closed on Sunday 1 November and will remain shut until 2027.
Just a short walk from the 18th green of the Old Course, The Dunvegan has become known as an unofficial “19th hole” for generations of golfers visiting the home of golf.
Its walls and ceiling are covered with photographs of famous customers who have stopped for a drink or something to eat over the years.
They include James Bond star Sean Connery, Hollywood actors Clint Eastwood, Michael Douglas and Jack Nicholson, former US President George H.W. Bush and astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Bill Murray has also been among the visitors. During one trip for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the Ghostbusters star took over the bar tab and announced that the drinks were on him.
Tiger Woods is another of the famous golfing names associated with the venue, while former Open champion Darren Clarke has been described as a particular fan.
The Dunvegan says its Golfers Corner contains photographs of 35 Major champions as well as famous visitors from the worlds of sport and film.
Neil Armstrong, the Apollo 11 commander who became the first person to walk on the moon in 1969, visited The Dunvegan on a few occasions and his picture is among the bar’s hall of fame.
The hotel has been a fixture on Pilmour Place for decades. Its Claret Jug Restaurant takes its name from the trophy presented to the winner of The Open and has traditionally served steaks, Scottish salmon and other dishes alongside a large selection of malt whisky.
The bar itself has become almost as famous for its collection of photographs and golfing memorabilia as its customers.
Owners have now temporarily closed the bar and restaurant to give the premises a new look ahead of reopening next year.
They said the refurbishment would refresh the surroundings without changing the character which has made The Dunvegan famous.
In a message to customers, they said: “The character, atmosphere and people that make The Dunvegan what it is aren’t going anywhere.”
The refurbishment follows another busy year in St Andrews, with the hotel continuing to attract golfers and spectators visiting the town for major events.
The Dunvegan’s celebrity connections stretch back decades.
Former owners Jack and Sheena Willoughby bought the hotel in 1994 and helped establish its reputation as one of the best-known golfing pubs in the world.
During their time there they served fish and chips to Clint Eastwood, whisky to Michael Douglas and Jack Nicholson, while Sean Connery was once found a space upstairs for a steak and bottle of red wine when the bar and restaurant were full.
The famous photographs will remain central to The Dunvegan when it returns, with the refurbishment intended to update the venue while retaining the history that has accumulated on its walls.