31st January, on Airthrey Loch, Grand Match, North v South. 25 rinks a side.
On Monday last, a grand match was played at Airthrey. A ballot was taken so rink was drawn against rink. The morning did not start too promising, a cold east wind blowing with a moist atmosphere. The ice however was in capital order for testing the skills of the players.
Men of the North were under the leadership of Lord Abercromby of Airthrey Castle and the South under Colonel Murray of Polmaise. It was a 12 o’clock start and three hours were played.
North South
Rinks Club Shots Rinks Club Shots
3 Alloa 42 3 Sauchie & Canglour 47
3 Alloa Prince of Wales 56 4 Larbert 62
3 Alva 47 4 Stirling 60
3 Blairdrummond 32 4 Borestone 80
4 Bridge of Allan 67 3 Camelon 52
4 Dunblane 56 2 Dunmore& Bruce Castle 27
3 Sheriffmoor 50 2 Gargunnock 37
2 Tullibody 30 3 Denny 53
380 420
There were a considerable number of spectators present during the day, but the intense cold had no doubt the effect of keeping many back. Lady Abercromby, however and a few other ladies graced the ice by their presence. After the game, the curlers and their friends were regaled by Lord Abercromby with an ample supply of bread and cheese, hot ale and beer which was very acceptable on such a cold day.
On the numbers being announced, the players from the South sent up a hearty cheer in which many of their Northern brethren joined. Three cheers were given for Lord Abercromby, three for Lady Abercromby and three for the committee.
4th February 1865 Bridge of Allan Reporter.
It was not recorded which rink played which, the scores being the aggregate score of all the rinks of each club. This was billed as a Grand Match but it was not organised by the Royal Caledonian Curling club, it was a local match between two great patrons of the game, Lord Abercromby and Colonel Murray.
Lord Abercromby was a patron of Birdge of Allan Curling Club and provided them with access to Airthrey Loch to curl and eventually took up the sport himself. Colonel Murray was a patron of Borestone Curling Club and provided them with a curling pond at Bearside as well as having his own private curling pond beside it. He was a keen player and regularly skipped in Borestone games.
Source Stirling Journal and Stirling Observer newspaper articles.
Men of the North were under the leadership of Lord Abercromby of Airthrey Castle and the South under Colonel Murray of Polmaise. It was a 12 o’clock start and three hours were played.
North South
Rinks Club Shots Rinks Club Shots
3 Alloa 42 3 Sauchie & Canglour 47
3 Alloa Prince of Wales 56 4 Larbert 62
3 Alva 47 4 Stirling 60
3 Blairdrummond 32 4 Borestone 80
4 Bridge of Allan 67 3 Camelon 52
4 Dunblane 56 2 Dunmore& Bruce Castle 27
3 Sheriffmoor 50 2 Gargunnock 37
2 Tullibody 30 3 Denny 53
380 420
There were a considerable number of spectators present during the day, but the intense cold had no doubt the effect of keeping many back. Lady Abercromby, however and a few other ladies graced the ice by their presence. After the game, the curlers and their friends were regaled by Lord Abercromby with an ample supply of bread and cheese, hot ale and beer which was very acceptable on such a cold day.
On the numbers being announced, the players from the South sent up a hearty cheer in which many of their Northern brethren joined. Three cheers were given for Lord Abercromby, three for Lady Abercromby and three for the committee.
4th February 1865 Bridge of Allan Reporter.
It was not recorded which rink played which, the scores being the aggregate score of all the rinks of each club. This was billed as a Grand Match but it was not organised by the Royal Caledonian Curling club, it was a local match between two great patrons of the game, Lord Abercromby and Colonel Murray.
Lord Abercromby was a patron of Birdge of Allan Curling Club and provided them with access to Airthrey Loch to curl and eventually took up the sport himself. Colonel Murray was a patron of Borestone Curling Club and provided them with a curling pond at Bearside as well as having his own private curling pond beside it. He was a keen player and regularly skipped in Borestone games.
Source Stirling Journal and Stirling Observer newspaper articles.
