1901

"The Chairman having given the usual loyal and patriotic toasts in a very happy manner, referred to the occasion of their meeting threre that evening, which was, as they all knew, to do honour to their good friend Mr Fiddes, who was esteemed amongst them as a good curler, a good neighbour, and a kind friend. (Applause)

Mr Donaldson having given the Imperial Forces, and Lieut. Robertson replied on their behalf.

Mr J S Robertson proposed the toast of “The Guest of The Evening”. (Applause.) They were met, he said, to do honour to their guest, Mr Fiddes, as a good all-round countryman, and the presence of this large gathering not only of enthusiastic curlers, but of those who were not of their fraternity, testified to that fact. (Applause.) Mr Fiddes and he had been intimately associated as brother curlers for the last fourteen years. Some twenty years ago Mr Fiddes along with a few kindred and enterprising spirits, had got the site of a curling pond from the late Brodie of Brodie and the club had continued prospering ever since. Mr Fiddes had proved himself a splendid secretary. Everybody paid up their subscriptions to him quite pleasantly, and the balance was always on the right side. Mr Fiddes and he, as Treasurer and Secretary respectively, had been much together during the last twelve years and their relations had been of the most pleasant and agreeable kind. They admired Mr Fiddes as a keen curler and knight of the broom. (Applause.) But there was another phase of Mr Fiddes's character – he was a good all-round countryman, and they had all shared his never failing hospitality. When the day's battle on the ice was over and homeward they trod their weary way, they were not allowed to pass the the always open hospitable door of Drumduan, where they were cordially welcomed by Mr & Mrs Fiddes. He regretted Mrs Fiddes was not present that evening to hear their acknowledgements of her kind hospitality. He gave them the toast of Mr Fiddes, and one cheer more for Mrs Fiddes. (Cheers and Highland honours).

Mr Fiddes, who on rising was greeted with loud applause, said it was with diffidence that he rose to return thanks for the extreme honour conferred on him. He must say that if he had been of any help to the Curling Club the pleasure had been returned fourfold in the many happy days he had at the roaring game when he had the strength to enjoy it. A curler should not go on the pond except as a keen curler. His duties were certainly light when so many keen curlers were on the ice. He recalled an illustration of this. One day old Mr McBeath, Penick, was passing, and he stopped and rather enjoyed the fun, but remarked that it was so different when he was young – then the youngsters went on the ice and the old folks looked on. Now the country was upside down. (Laughter.) He found it was eighteen years since his neighbour Mr Caithness Brodie, Druim, got a few friends belonging to the parish together one night and proposed that they should start a curling club. No doubt having been installed in the Dyke club himself, he consented to be secretary, if he (Mr Fiddes) would look after the finances and the pond, which he readily agreed to. But where to find the pond was the great difficulty and it took some time to overcome it. They were sometimes scarce of water and at other times scarce of frost, for as they knew the frost was very fickle. (Laughter.) On the average years, however, they were well suited, and now that the Highland Railway had given them a station to encourage them they got on very well. He was only sorry on looking round the table to see so few of the original members of the original club. Some have gone, never to return. They now had their third secretary. Mr Caithness Brodie had gone to a warmer climate, but he did his work admirably and put the club on a proper footing, while he left Mr Macrae, Firhall, to carry it on, and they all knew what a keen curler he was, proving it by the number of prizes he took from them. Mr Macrae's mantle had fallen on the present Secretary – (applause) – who had proved himself no less a keen curler and was still amongst them to keep up the game, and if John Frost forsook them, their Secretary was equal to the occasion and changed the program to something warmer – such as a good dinner like this. (Applause.) In conclusion Mr Fiddes again thanked them on behalf of Mrs Fiddes and himself and wished the club every prosperity. He could find no words sufficient to express his feelings to the many kind friends who had gathered there that evening, but he believed the occasion would unite them still closer together. (Applause.)"

"A collection in aid of the “Scotsman Shilling Fund” amounted to £4 4s."