The Secret of St. Andrews

EP 12 - Jacobite Golfers and Cold War Espionage


Listen Later

After the Battle of Culloden, a period of Cold War set in, lasting for the next two decades. The musket and cannon were replaced by espionage, propaganda, and psychological warfare, and the game of golf found itself in the midst of it all. The Hanoverian government, concerned about future Jacobite uprisings, targeted Scotland’s first golfing societies due to their close ties to Scottish freemasonry and the Royal Company of Archers. These golfers, including prominent figures like William Saint Clare, James Weems, and John Rattray, were under surveillance. Despite the government’s suspicions, the golfers posed little actual threat, but tensions remained high.

Visit us:
https://www.thesecretofstandrews.com/

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Secret of St. AndrewsBy Scott Dow