Long-running legal battle at Letham Grange finally over

The wrangling was one of the most convoluted cases in the Scottish legal system's history 

Letham Grange Golf Club is looking to the future with optimism after a 15-year legal wrangling over the resort's ownership finally reached its conclusion.

Members were informed of the good news at the club's AGM in February after confirmation that a settlement between the liquidator of Letham Grange Development Company (LGDC) and Mr D.G. Liu – the owner of LGDC from 1994-2002 – had been reached.

Under the terms of the settlement negotiated by the liquidator, the current owner, PI Ltd, has agreed to transfer the legal title to the property at Letham Grange to a company controlled by Mr Liu.

Since April 2011, the golf club has maintained and operated the courses at Letham Grange under a Licence to Occupy issued by a company related to PI Ltd after the hotel closed its doors in January of that year.

A pivotal figure in helping to keep the courses alive, the club's honorary secretary Bruce Currie, praised all involved and revealed his delight that the long-running saga was over.

"We welcome this latest development that removes the uncertainty regarding ownership that has hung over the resort for the past 15 years," he said.

"We are exceedingly proud that we have managed for the last seven years to save these wonderful courses from being lost."

The Licence to Occupy runs until February 28 next year and, while there has been no direct contact with Mr Liu regarding his future direction for the resort, a golf club is believed to be part of the plans.

Currie continued: "Mr Liu's representative in Scotland has assured us he has no reason to believe his plans involve anything other than the continued operation of the club.

"Despite the protracted legal background, during which Mr Liu is quoted as claiming that the property was 'stolen' from him by the liquidator, he bears no ill will towards the golf club or its members."

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