Canadian tourists visit Scotland for spot of curling

Jan 28 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

A CANADIAN men’s curling team has been in Scotland this month to compete for the Strathcona Cup.

This trip marks the centenary of the first visit of a Canadian team to tour Scotland.

After opening games in Braehead and Hamilton, the Canadians split in to north and south groups.

The southern tourists were in this region last week, taking on local players at the Dumfries Ice Bowl on Thursday, and two sessions at Lockerbie ice rink on Friday.

Scottish curlers first toured Canada in 1902, suffering a heavy defeat but building bonds of friendship. So, when curling clubs were invited to play host to the visiting Canadians in 1909, it was reported that “virtually the whole of Scotland was prepared to receive and offer hospitality to the Canadians”.

In 1909 teams from Canada and Scotland first competed for the Strathcona Cup.

To commemorate his presidency of the Royal Caledonian Club and the first visit of a Canadian curling team to Scotland, Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal donated the trophy, which is still competed for to this day.

Reception

The visitors to this regionalso attended a civic reception in Dumfries, where Councillor Ivor Hyslop, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, welcomed them.

He said: “It was my pleasure to welcome them to the region, particularly as this is Scotland’s Year of Homecoming.”

Results of the games played in this region were:

Dumfries Ice Bowl: Canada 17 Scotland 25. Lockerbie ice rink, morning: Canada 23 Scotland 24; afternoon: Canada 24 Scotland 30.