While there are records showing tennis being played in Montrose since at least 1883, the year 2025 marks 100 years since the tennis courts and pavilion opened as Dorward Place Tennis Courts, now known as Montrose Tennis Club.

Originally planned as a three court venue, the Town Council acknowledged the popularity of tennis and the attraction to both locals and visitors to the town and built six public courts. Sir James Howard Warrack KBE, born in Montrose and later a ship owner in Leith, gifted £500 towards the creation of the courts and a further £250 before they opened. The pavilion was named in his honour and the new road behind the tennis courts was called Warrack Terrace in recognition of his generosity. Although operational in May 1925, the official opening took place in July of that year. The Dorward Place Tennis Courts were in addition to the tennis courts at Links Avenue, home of Montrose Tennis Club which was for members only and the East Links public courts on Traill Drive by the golf course. The East Links courts closed in 1932 and in 1971 Montrose Tennis Club moved to the Dorward Place Tennis Courts when the Links Avenue site was redeveloped into housing.

The Montrose Lawn Tennis Association was formed to manage the Montrose Open Tennis Tournament, which played at the Dorward Place courts annually when they opened. In 1952 the tournament was granted championship status and was known as the North Angus Championship Tournament. The tournament grew in significance, bringing in players from around the world and was televised by the BBC on at least one occasion in 1960s. The tournament closed in 1997 due to falling numbers and was reinstated in 2014 as the North Angus Tennis Tournament.

No booking is required to visit this exhibition, just drop in during museum opening hours.

Find out more.