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The Braid Hills Ladies
The Clydesdale Bank was for many years a great supporter of women's curling in Scotland. The bank first came aboard in October 1977, when the national competition was to find a team to represent...
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The mystery of Scotland's first junior curling club
I do like a good mystery, and there are many lurking in curling's history. For example, why did the Murray Trophy cease being played for as a competition for young curlers in 1935, just six years after...
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The search for the earliest curling photograph
It is easy to ask a question, but often rather more difficult to find the answer. This I found out when, some time ago, I wondered, "When was the first photograph of curling taken?"I knew there were...
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The Falkirk Ice Rink and the British Open Competition
It is good to see that the old 'British Open' trophy is being played for next weekend at the Peak, Stirling. The trophy's history is worthy of mention. It was first played for at the Falkirk Ice Rink...
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The trains to the loch
Back in 2012, Andrew Wood, who knew of my interest both in curling and railways, contacted me with the information that volunteers at the Keith and Dufftown heritage railway had uncovered the remains...
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How the Royal Caledonian Curling Club got its name
Queen Victoria was just eighteen years old on her accession to the throne on June 20, 1837. She married Prince Albert, of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. The young couple first visited Scotland in...
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More Royal Connections
Prince Albert died in December 1861, just 42 years old. There's no doubt that his marriage to Queen Victoria was a loving one. I was thrilled to discover recently that Queen Victoria had given him a...
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Yet More Royal Connections
I have written recently about how the Royal Caledonian Curling Club gained its Royal Patronage here, and about other Royal connections during Victorian times, here.One of the most surprising locations...
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Blankets from Canada
During the second world war, curling continued in Scotland, although naturally to a limited extent. The Annual of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club continued to be published during the war years, but...
View ArticleScotland's Indoor Curling Rinks: A Timeline
"When was the 'Golden Age' of curling in Scotland?" I was asked this question earlier this year. It can be answered in a number of ways. It could be argued that the 'Golden Age' was in the 1830s and...
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Canada and USA Women Curlers in Scotland in 1955
I encountered this curling pin badge recently, and, initially, I could not explain what it was about. When did Canadian and US ladies visit Scotland together? I set out to find out more, and only then...
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How Scotland Fared at the Commonwealth Winter Games
Was there really a Commonwealth Winter Games? When I noticed the badge above on Google Images I went searching. There was indeed a series of such competitions, in 1958, 1962, 1966, and 1970, according...
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The Curling Image Project
I have been amassing photographs of curling for many years. Many date from before the days of digital cameras and smart phones, and have never been digitised, nor posted online. Most never will be. But...
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The Curling Image Project (Week 2)
CIP-8. One of my favourite photographs! It dates from 1956 and shows action from the opening day of the new season at the Central Scotland Ice Rink, Perth. The women curlers may be from the Strathallan...
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From Scotland to the USA
It is said often that it was the Scots who took the sport of curling to North America, but very rarely do actual names come to light. My attention was grabbed some time ago when, thanks to the British...
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The Curling Image Project (Week 3)
CIP-15. Does anyone have memories of drinking in The Silver Broom pub in Perth? (35mm transparency, Bob Cowan)CIP-16. Another 'When We Were Young' pic. This is a very young Mike Hay, for a series of...
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The Curling Image Project (Week 4)
CIP-22. National coach Jane Sanderson at work in the 1980s. She was an inspiration to many of us, and, I feel, has never received the recognition she deserves for her contribution to the sport in...
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Curling in Africa
Did you notice that the World Curling Federation, at its recent Annual General Assembly, voted to accept Nigeria as a provisional member? The country was described as 'the first African Member...
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The Curling Image Project (Week 5)
CIP-29. Graeme Adam is in the hack with Bob Cowan and Robin Copland ready to sweep. Brian Alderman would have been holding the broom at the far end. No, don't ask about the trousers. Just be grateful...
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The Curling Image Project (Week 6)
CIP-36. Outdoor curling on Lindores Loch. Don't know the date, but likely 1960s. (5x3in print, photographer unknown)CIP-37. Here's a photo which reminds me of one of the most interesting and unusual...
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