1891

10^th January 1891

The inaugural "Grand Match" held at the Inverness on Loch-an-Sanais in 1889 was followed by a second "North" versus "South" match held at Blairs Loch on Sir William Gordon Cumming's Altyre estate (between Forres and Glenferness). Despite the fact that the Northern Counties Provincial Curling Association was thriving by this period (1888-1890),the "Northern Counties Province" is not mentioned in John Kerr's "History of Curling". Kerr does list the 15 Provinces of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, registered at the end of 1889, but the "North-East" Province (Aberdeenshire) is the only recognised Province north of the central belt of Scotland.

Much of the Nairnshire Telegraph report is in poor quality print, so a transcript of "The Northern Counties Provincial Curling Association Grand Bonspiel at Forres" which describes the event, is given here:

"Under the auspices of the above Association, a grand bonspiel took place at Loch of Blairs, Forres, on Saturday between teams of clubs north of Inverness and clubs south of Inverness, fifty-two rinks entering, representing twenty-two clubs and 216 players. The bonspiel had been arranged for the last two winters, but at the last moment a thaw had set in, and neither year did it come off. This winter the frost has been very keen and for several weeks past the ice has been in excellent condition, and arrangements were made by Mr J A Gossip, Inverness, hon. Secretary of the Association, with the result that the long delayed event took place on Saturday. Blairs Loch is one of the finest in this kingdom for such an event and large was the number of players: there was room and to spare for the skaters who were also present in hundreds. The loch lies in the heart of the Altyre woods on the estate of Sir William Gordon Cumming, Bart., who generously throws the loch open to the public – a privilege which the neighbouring burgh of Forres values very highly, and of which the curling and skating inclined take every advantage. It is protected by woods on every side and dotted all over with little patches of shrubbery, known familiarly as islands, to the frequenters of such a desirable pleasure retreat.

The forenoon train brought shoals of curlers, and the hiring establishments in the town for once at least were quite unable to cope with the traffic, the loch being about three miles from the town. The four hundred odd stones were driven up in lorries, and the owners followed in brakes, carriages, dogcarts, cabs – in fact anything with wheels, so great was the demand.

Play began at noon, the rinks having previously been balloted for and advertised. Very soon the woods re-echoed with cries familiar to curlers - “Sweep her up”, “Fine shot”, “Hard lines”, with numerous expressions of satisfaction and dissatisfaction as to the manner of play thrown in here and there. With the exception of a short interval for lunch play continued until half past three o'clock, when the signal “cease fire” was given, and play stopped. After some little delay the scores were all got in, and Provost Ross, Inverness, a keen curler and president of the Association, announced the result in the presence of a large crowd. It will be seen that the north men had the beat of the game, the Rosehaugh rink standing 33 to their opponents 2. Other rinks tied and some were very close. The details are as follows:-