From the Hamilton Advertiser newspaper on 10th December 1892…..as an exceptionally cold snap fell upon Lanarkshire, many local people took to the growing popular sport of Curling.
The newspaper reports, “Considering the severity of the frost, local curlers have a poor record to show for the week. At Udston, on Monday, two Hamilton rinks, headed by Colonel J. C. Forrest and Major Aikman, had a well-contested match against two Blantyre rinks, skipped by Mr Neil Douglas and Mr T. Gilmour. The result was in favour of Hamilton.”
On Wednesday, Major Aikman led his rink to Haddington, and won a match against the East Lothian curlers, skipped by Major Burn. The first good ice on the Back Plantation Pond was experienced yesterday. There was no leading match, the leading curlers being engaged in the national contest at Carsebreck.”
Incredibly, we have an actual photo of the Back Plantation Curling Pond which was formerly situated near Auchinraith House at Blantyre’s boundary with Hamilton. This photo was taken around a similar era. I would also note those ‘leading curlers’ who were absent, did exceptionally well whilst competing at Carsebreck in that competition…. lifting the whole title as Blantyre winners!
