Shuttle service makes for Atlantis for 75th anniversary of Argyll Cup

The Argyll Cup started in 1950 and has been played every year since in either Campbeltown, Oban, Mid Argyll or Dunoon.

The cup was put up by Howard Robison from Oban who was rewarded when the then Oban and District A team won it for the first five years. Cowal and District Badminton Association (Dunoon) struck back in 1956 and held onto it for two years before Campbletown got in on the act in 1958.

The original cup is still played for and this year the base has been resilvered at the expense of participating clubs. 

In 1973, Eddie Blincow with permission of Cowal Badminton Association put up the C Cup trophy so that players of all levels had a chance to lift silverware.

Dunoon have been the most successful team over the 75 years with the most wins but more recently current holders Oban have dominated. Mid Argyll/Campbeltown spoiled the party for their neighbours in 2023 however when they lifted the trophy for the first time in 23 years.

Noteable players in the history of the competition were the late David MacDougall and his partner Anne Mackenzie, Oban, and the Barbour boys, also from Oban, who went on to play for Scotland.

The Argyll Cup has always been a prestigious competition and was endorsed recently by Scotland player and national coach Dan Travers and Keith Russell, chief executive officer of Badminton Scotland, who attended the Cowal Badminton Association (CBA) 100th anniversary celebration in November last year.

"It’s one of the best tournaments in the country," said a CBA spokesperson.

"It provides an excellent platform for grass roots players to aim for and that is what we need to encourage more players into the sport."