Search for a Suitable Site for Skating Pond in Stirling
In 1899, the Town Council were actively looking for a new site to form a skating pond for Stirling. There had been one previously near Raploch on land leased by the King’s Park Farm for which the Town paid a yearly rent of £10 for the purpose of skating. It was subsequently used as a coup and eventually filled in.
Various sites were looked at around the western side of Stirling, such as the Haining Park. There was even a request to consider the area adjacent to the Clay Toll near King’s Park Farm and close to where Stirling Curling Club had their ponds.
However, by May 1899, the favoured site was a field which had not had any drainage work done on it on Raploch Farm alongside the old skating pond. This was identified as field number 44 on the 25 inches to the mile Ordnance Survey Map newly published in 1898. By September of that year it was agreed that the southern half of the field covering 8 acres in total would become the skating pond. The tenant of Raploch Farm, Mr Kerracher, offered to lay the grass for the pond and to rent it at 20/- per acre for grazing. The Raploch Burn running in a lade past the south side of the field would be used to supply the water.
On February 1900, the Patrons of the Cowane’s Hospital were asked what rent they would require for the ground to form a skating pond, on the understanding that should the Town cease to use it for this purpose, they would restore it to its original condition. The Master of works was then instructed to proceed with the construction of the pond.
In March 1900, remit was made to the Finance Committee to arrange the funds required for the construction. The Master of Works, Mr A.H. Goudie had provided the following estimate on 17th November 1899:
Various sites were looked at around the western side of Stirling, such as the Haining Park. There was even a request to consider the area adjacent to the Clay Toll near King’s Park Farm and close to where Stirling Curling Club had their ponds.
However, by May 1899, the favoured site was a field which had not had any drainage work done on it on Raploch Farm alongside the old skating pond. This was identified as field number 44 on the 25 inches to the mile Ordnance Survey Map newly published in 1898. By September of that year it was agreed that the southern half of the field covering 8 acres in total would become the skating pond. The tenant of Raploch Farm, Mr Kerracher, offered to lay the grass for the pond and to rent it at 20/- per acre for grazing. The Raploch Burn running in a lade past the south side of the field would be used to supply the water.
On February 1900, the Patrons of the Cowane’s Hospital were asked what rent they would require for the ground to form a skating pond, on the understanding that should the Town cease to use it for this purpose, they would restore it to its original condition. The Master of works was then instructed to proceed with the construction of the pond.
In March 1900, remit was made to the Finance Committee to arrange the funds required for the construction. The Master of Works, Mr A.H. Goudie had provided the following estimate on 17th November 1899:
| Requirement | Cost |
| Forming Pond | £ 304: 0s 0d |
| Erecting Fence | £ 233: 15s 0d |
| Wooden Shelter | £ 14: 0s 0d |
| Lamps etc | £ 12: 5s 0d |
| £ 564: 0s 0d |
A sub-committee consisting of Provost Forrest, Treasurer Buchanan and Councillor (Dean) MacFarlane approached Mr J.B. Richardson, Pitgorno with a view to raising funds for the skating pond. At the end of May 1900, Mr Richardson wrote back confirming that the Philharmonic Improvement Fund would support the project and raise £500 towards the cost with public support. To expedite matters he personally agreed to act as guarantor for the money to enable the construction to be completed before the winter months set in.
With this agreement, work commenced in earnest. Since a curling pond was also being constructed adjacent to the skating pond the planned entrance had to be changed. An additional strip of land to the north was acquired to allow an entrance to the skating pond to be built on the south side.
In November the final details were arranged for the tickets. Admission would be 3d each for adults and 1d each for juveniles. The services of a collector for the admission charges were sought and some seats and lamps were provided. The design of the admission tickets was approved and tickets printed.
References: Stirling Observer articles, 1899 to 1938. Stirling Journal articles, 1901 to 1912. Supplied by Stirling Central
Library on microfilm.
Royal Burgh of Stirling Council minutes, 1899 to 1938, supplied by Stirling Council Archives.