Gleneagles chief Ian Ironside

Gleneagles Hotel Opened in 1924, the hotel was built by the former Caledonian Railway Company and retains its own railway station. The hotel's golf course and luxurious surroundings meant that golf and grouse shooting at Gleneagles had, by the 1950s, become a fixed part of high society's calendar, along with yachting at Cowes and polo at Deauville. Between 1982 and 1986, 11 million was spent on renovation and since 1982 the hotel has been open all year round. In 1986, and every year since, the hotel has been awarded five red stars by the AA. The hotel is now owned by the international alcoholic beverage firm Diageo. The hotel is currently undergoing redevelopment in preparation for hosting the 40th Ryder Cup Matches in 2014 which will be played on the PGA Centenary Course. (Picture) Gleneagles chief Ian Ironside, 5th December 1993. (Photo by Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)