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Stirling Local History Society

Roller Skating Craze Hits Scotland

In 1908, Russell Road, Murrayfield, Edinburgh was granted a licence for roller skating. The rink had a 40,000 sq feet floor of maple wood laid in the shape of a track with seats for 2500 spectators and was one of the largest in the world at the time. It also had a café and live music was provided. (Scotsman, 30th July 1908) It opened for business on the 31st of July 1908. (Advert, 27th July 1908, Scotsman)

There was a World Professional Roller Skating Championship held across Britain in February 1909, with heats in Liverpool, Belfast, Bradford, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Glasgow under the auspices of the National Skating Association. The last heat took place in Edinburgh on 26th February with races over 1 mile, or six and a half laps of the rink. Prize money was £150 and a trophy was given to the winner. 4000 spectators witnessed the proceedings. The final was held in London. (27th February, 1909, Scotsman)

In 1909 an explosion of interest in Roller Skating took place.

There were no notices published in the Scotsman in 1908 for roller skating companies but the Scotsman in 1909 had the following references to new joint-stock companies registered in Scotland to either build and/or manage roller skating premises throughout Scotland. 

  • 3rd April 1909, Olympia (Edinburgh) Ltd, to erect and equip a hall for roller skating, concerts, cinematograph and displays in Edinburgh with capital of £7500 (one of the largest).
  • 24th April 1909, The Ayr Entertainment and Roller Skating Company, to carry on the business of entertainment and roller skating. A building set to cost £30,000 was given planning permission in early April and expected to be open in June.
  • 3rd July 1909, Motherwell Roller Skating Rink, to acquire and manage roller skating at premises on Hamilton Road, Motherwell.
  • 12th June 1909, Gourock Entertainment and Roller Skating Pavillion at Station Road, Gourock.
  • 17th July 1909, Scottish Roller Skating Company (Kirkcaldy) of Edinburgh to carry on business of roller skating proprietors in Kirkcaldy.
  • 7th July 1909, Olympia Skating Rink (Glasgow) Ltd, formed for the purpose of acquiring as a going concern the roller skating rink of Partick, Glasgow known as the Olympia Rink and enlarging the same.  £7500 capital.
  • 14th August 1909, Govan Skating Rink, proprietors and managers for roller skating rinks in Glasgow.
  • 8th August 1909, Dunfermline Skating Rink, roller skating rink proprietors.
  • 11th September 1909, Bathgate and District Roller Skating Rink to construct and carry on a roller skating rink in Bathgate.
  • 9th October 1909, The Bon Accord Skating Rink, roller skating rink proprietors in Aberdeen.
  • 6th November 1909, Dalmarnock Skating Rink Company, to establish a roller skating rink on Dalmarnock Road, Glasgow.
  • 6th November 1909, Aberdeen Olympia, roller skating proprietors in Aberdeen.
  • 4th December 1909, Olympia Falkirk to erect a roller skating rink at 10 Hope Street, Falkirk. Capital of £4000.
  • 4th December 1909, Central Skating Rink Company, to carry on a roller skating rink in Dunfermline.
  • 4th December, the Dundee West End Rink, roller skating rink proprietors.
  • 11th December 1909, Govan Cross Roller Rink Company, to construct and carry on a roller skating pavilion in Govan.
  • 11th December 1909, Dumfries Roller Skating Rink Company, to form a roller skating rink at Cresswell Park  in Dumfries.
  • 18th December 1909, Torry Skating Palace Company, to acquire the building and property of the roller skating rink at Torry, Aberdeen.
  • 18th December 1909, Dennistoun Roller Rink, to acquire the roller skating rink in course of erection at Dennistoun, Glasgow.

In 1910 only three more were recorded.

  • 15th January 1910, Elgin Roller Skating rink, to purchase the roller skating rink at Cumming Street, Elgin.
  • 29th January 1910, Wick Skating Rink, to construct and carry on a roller skating rink in the town of Wick.
  • 30th April 1910, Dunoon Entertainment and Roller Skating Pavilion, to lease a piece of ground at Castle Gardens, Dunoon and to construct and carry on there an entertainment and roller skating pavilion.

Moss’ Empires Ltd who owned theatres across Britain was one of the companies affected by roller skating and its takings and profits were hit. 64 skating rinks had been established in twelve locations where Moss Empires conducted business in 1909. The management viewed the phenomenon as a temporary one and predicted that business would recover. (Company statement, Scotsman 16th February 1910)

This proved to be the case. In 1911, the closure and sale notices started to appear on roller skating rinks across Scotland.

References: Stirling Observer articles, 1909 to 1911. The Scotsman articles and adverts, 1909 to 1910

Other Pages> Roller Skating in Stirling | Olympia Roller Skating Rink | Establishment and Opening
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