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History of Dollar & Devon Vale Curling Club

Dollar Curling Club was founded in 1828. Many of the curlers were on the Academy teaching staff, and a pond in the school grounds was the scene of many an intense struggle on the ice, with candles being sent for to allow games to continue in the dark. A number of sites of old curling ponds can still be seen in the district. Dollar Curling Club was admitted to the RCCC (Royal Caledonian Curling Club) in 1844, and at this time was striving to settle on a reliable pond.

In 1845 a second club was formed in Dollar called The Devon Vale Curling Club which was admitted to the RCCC in 1846. The clubs decided to unite to form The Dollar and Devon Vale Curling Club and to pool resources. The Academy has maintained its association with the Club right up to the present day, and many of the former Rectors have been members.

President James Leishman in 1870 presented a medal to the Club. This was the first gold medal to be struck from the die of the RCCC's District Medals. Played for annually for a time, it is now worn by the incumbent club President at official functions. Following lots of discussion of suitable sites and much work in trying out and maintaining ponds, Septimus Leishman, son of James, made a handsome donation to the club in 1885 to enable a "modern" pond and clubhouse to be built in the town in Murray Place. Dollar Tennis Club rented this in the summer. In 1908 electric lighting was installed for seven pounds and fifteen shillings.

After a supper in 1902, which must have been well celebrated, Mr Wattie Wight was elected Poet Laureate to the Club. The New Minute Book that year was inscribed in the front cover – "Quhair ever they go it may be sene how rink and tee they both soup clene". Whether it is his work or not is not stated, but Dollar can boast another curling poet Jim Christie, whose work has appeared in the RCCC Annual. In 1907 Mr R Malcolm was presented with a piece of silverware in recognition of 35 years service to the club. The following year he was elected Vice President of the RCCC. In the toast to Dollar and Devon Vale at the Centenary Dinner in 1928, the most heated topic appears to have been "The vexed question of Hack or Crampet".

A Dollar team won the Gold Medal of the RCCC at the Grand Match at Carsebreck on 4th December 1925. After the war from 1948 on the club began to play at Perth, Dunfermline and Falkirk Ice Rinks, and in 1972 the pond was sold to the Town Council. Sheltered Housing was built on the site which is now called "Curlers Court".

The top table at Dollar and Devon Vale Curling Club 150th Anniversary Curlers' Supper and Court 25th February 1994. ( 150th of the Club's membership of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club)

Ivor Barber with the Blairhill Challenge Cup