WELL-KNOWN East Lothian golf historian Archie Baird peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 7, at Edington Hospital, North Berwick. He was 95.

Mr Baird was born in Edinburgh on September 28, 1924.

He moved to East Lothian after he retired from working as a veterinarian, living in Aberlady for more than 30 years.

Archie met his wife Sheila, whom he was married to for more than 60 years, while he was studying at veterinary college and she was studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

Archie, described as a cheeky man of huge character, founded Gullane Golf Club’s Heritage of Golf Museum, which he opened in 1980.

He was a long-serving curator at the museum and an author of several books on the history of golf.

He was also awarded a British Empire Medal last year as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Mr Baird was captain of Gullane Golf Club from 1976 to 1978 and an honorary life member at the club.

He was also a member of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Muirfield.

A father to Colin, Marion, Mungo and Christine, Mr Baird, who was also a great-grandfather of four, had previously said that Gullane Hill was his favourite golfing spot in the county.

He was also said to have enjoyed golf for the social interactions and exercise.

Tributes have been pouring in since Archie’s passing.

In a post on Twitter on Monday, Gullane Golf Club said: “We were saddened at the weekend to learn of the passing of Archie Baird, aged 95, the founder of our Heritage of Golf Museum.

“A warm and charming character, his knowledge and love for golf made him a great source of information for all who met him. We will all miss him dearly.”

Julie Cadzow, golf administrator at Gullane Golf Club, told the Courier: “Archie was a much-loved member of Gullane Golf Club for over 63 years, serving as captain from 1976 to 1978.

“A great lover of the game, he was also a collector and archivist and founded our Heritage of Golf Museum.

“A warm and charming character, we will all miss him dearly.”

Alasdair Good, head professional at Gullane Golf Club, said on Saturday: “We lost one of golf’s warmest and most charming characters earlier today.

“Archie Baird gave those who were lucky enough to meet him 95 fun-filled years.

“His knowledge and love for golf made him one of the game’s great sources of information.

“As a collector and archivist, he educated many on the finer points of the game and particularly his love for foursomes play.

“His encyclopaedic knowledge was regularly sought by many of the world’s foremost collectors of historic golfing literature and artwork.

“He absolutely loved golf and this was clear for all to see. He loved his competitive foursomes matches at Gullane.

“Archie always looked upon the bright side and, although we will all miss him, thinking of him will always make us smile.

“Our heartfelt thoughts are with his wife Sheila and family.”

The club’s Pro Shop added on Facebook: “RIP Archie Baird. Long-serving curator of the Heritage of Golf Museum, Gullane Golf member and dear friend to all us here at Gullane Professional Shop.”

Speaking to the Courier in 2018 on how Archie first discovered his love of golf, Sheila said: “My great-grandfather was Willie Park, who won the first-ever Open Championship, and one day we were at a sale where Archie spotted some golf balls.

“They had Willie Park’s name on them and he bought them for about 10 shillings I think – that is where it all comes from.”

Archie’s family thanked the staff at the Edington Hospital and those at Gullane Day Centre for their fantastic support and help during this hard time.

A gathering is taking place after his funeral next Thursday (December 19) in The Mallard Hotel in Gullane at 12.30pm for friends and family who wish to pay their respects.