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4th January 1893
The following transcription from a report in The Nairnshire Telegraph of a Grand Curling Match held at Loch na Sanais, Inverness, gives an indication of how the popularity of the game had spread up to that time.
GRAND CURLING MATCH
North v South
"On Wednesday the bonspiel between teams representing the North and South of Scotland took place on Loch-na-Sanais, Inverness, which was recently laid out as a curling pond at considerable expense. There were altogether thirty-six rinks, drawn from Lairg in the north, Ferrindonald in the west, to Laggan and Kingussie in the south. The ice in the early morning was in good condition; but in the course of the forenoon a thaw set in, and when play commenced shortly before one 'oclock it was dull and heavy. the players, however were most enthusiastic, and during the greater part of the play the game was kept up with the greatest spirit. Upon this occasion there was no interval for lunch, and it was impossible to gauge the position of the parties at the half period. Inquiries, however, showed that there was little difference between North and South, and, as the result showed at the close, the North were only victors by 17 points – the totals being for the South, 516; for the North, 533. The silver medal presented to the team having the highest majority of points over its opponents was secured by the first team from Beauly, skipped by Mr William Ritchie, who had a total of 25, as compared with 6 points obtained by the second team from Elgin skipped by Colonel Johnston. Some of the other results were also somewhat surprising. Major Jackson of Swordale against Mr Cuthbert in the third rink from Fochabers, had a majority of 17 points. Ex-Provost Crerar, Kingussie, had 23 as compared with 5 obtained by Mr R Crerar, Cromarty. The Rev. Mr Thomson, skipping for Strathpeffer, had a majority of 13 against Captain Petrie, Elgin. The only tie was between the teams from Moyhall, skipped by Aeneas McIntosh, and that from Ardgay, skipped by Mr John Macleod, in which the totals were 16 up. At the close, Provost Ross, in the absence of Mr Fletcher, Rosehaugh, the president of the Association, presented the medal and congratulated the company on the holding of the first of their great bonspiels on Loch-na-Sanais, which the Corporation through the liberality of the public, had been able to extend and make serviceable at a cost of over £600. He hoped they would now be able annually to hold the bonspiel on this pond. In the evening the curlers dined together in the Caledonian Hotel, the large company expressing satisfaction, notwithstanding the dull state of the ice, with the days proceedings, and the accommodation provided for them on the new pond. "
Local Interest from the 1893-1894 RCCC Annual:
January 7th 1893 : Banks of Findhorn lost to Elgin 31-37 in a District Medal match on 'very keen ice' on 'Loch of Blair'.
January 8th 1893 : The Rev J McEwen (Dyke) scored a notable 28 points in a Points Game.
8th March 1893
The "Curlers Ball" was firmly established event in the Auldearn social calendar by 1893 with a mix of farmers and townspeople. It is interesting to note that James Asher "purveyed refreshments in his usual good way", just as Asher's Bakery do over a century later.
Auldearn Curlers' Ball (from The Nairnshire Telegraph)
"The members of Auldearn Curling Club held their usual Ball in the Dunbar Memorial Hall on the evening of Friday 3rd inst and much praise is due for the excellent manner in which the arrangements were carried out by members of committee. Messrs. Logan, Inverness, supplied excellent music, which added very much to the success of the evening. Mr James Asher, Nairn, purveyed the refreshments in his usual good way. Mr McLennan, Milton of Kilravock, and Mr J M Burr, Cawdor Estate Office, acted efficiently as MC. The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Amongst those present were:-
Ladies – Lady Dunbar and Miss Dunbar; Miss Fraser, Redheugh; Mrs and Miss Cameron, The Birches; Mrs Cruickshank, Maida Place; Mrs Robertson, Constabulary Gardens; Mrs Fiddes, Drumduan; Mrs and Miss Bulkeley, Raybank; Mrs and Misses Anderson, Kinnudie; Mrs James, Boghead; Misses Reid, Huntley Hall; Misses McGillivray, Beeches; Miss Clark, Golford; Miss Whyte, Dundee; Miss Robertson, Golford; Miss McArthur, Feddan; Misses Squair, Kildrummie; Mrs Garden, Gollanfield; Miss Scott, Tearie; Miss McLennan, Milton of Kilravock; Miss Black, Urchany; Miss Gowenlock, Inverness; Miss Robertson, Academy; Misses Stephen, Errol; Miss McArthur, Achamore; Miss Davidson, Newmill; Miss Clark, Blackpark; Misses McLeod, Balculchaich; Mrs Storm, Railway Terrace; Misses Murray, Albert Street; Miss Calder, Raitloan; Miss McDonald, Schoolhouse, Fortnighty; Miss Matthew, Royal Hotel; Misses Cameron, Auldearn; &c., &c.
Gentlemen; Sir Alex Dunbar; Dr Cruickshank; Mr J S Robertson; Mr Donaldson; Mr Fiddes; Mr Newbigging; Mr Clark, Golford; Mr Arnott, Burnside; Mr Lobban, Nairn; Mr D Squair, do; Mr Hood, do.; Messrs Robertson, Golford; Dr Adam, Nairn; Dr Geddes, do; Mr McLennan, Milton; Mr McGillivray, The Beeches; Mr Burr, Cawdor Estate Office; Mr G Squair, Kildrummie; Mr Smith, Cawdor Estate Office; Mr Farquharson, Nairn; Mr Anderson, Kinnudie; Mr Murdoch, Lynemore; Mr R Reid, Huntly Hall; Mr James, Boghead; Mr Calder, Raitloan; Mr Clark, Blackpark; Mr Hay, Dalmore; Mr J Clark junr., Golford; Mr Walker, Nairn; Mr Storm, do; Mr Gossip, Inverness; Captain Chisholm, Fort George; Mr Davidson, Courage; Mr Davidson, Newmill; Mr McArthur, Achamore; Mr Allan, Bankhead; Mr Scott, Tearie; Mr Garden, Gollanfield; Mr Garden, Dyke; Mr McBeth, Blinkbonny; Mr McArthur, Feddan; Mr Ker, Broomton; Mr D King junr., Royal Hotel; Mr Brown, Midcoul; Mr Anderson, Rehiran; Mr Grigor, Auldearn; Mr Brodie, Inverness; &c."
July 1893
The Club of Cawdor were admitted to membership of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club
4th October 1893
Auldearn Curling Club was reported as being "in a flourishing condition"
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