Curlers enjoy fellowship, games during 2023 Strathcona Cup visit

The delegation was led on a tour of the Hector Quay before departing for afternoon games at Bluenose Curling Club in New Glasgow, which hosted a dinner.

New Caledonian curler Cliff Taylor lauded the tour organizers and fellow club members, as well as the Town of Pictou for its assistance. He said the town saw the visit as part of its 2023 celebrations marking the town’s 150th anniversary of incorporation.

“We had all the help in the world,” he said. “Everything was well co-ordinated. It was a total team effort from all our club members. All we had to do is go out and curl.”

Jim Wyllie was among Scottish curlers who praised the hosts’ hospitality.

“It feels special,” he said. “We’re being treated like lords. The people have been fantastic.”

Fellow Scot David Dingan echoed Wyllie’s sentiments.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said. “We’ve had some excellent curling and excellent facilities. We’ve been treated excellently by everyone.”

The Strathcona Cup is contested between Scottish and Canadian curlers every five years. Each country hosts the event every 10 years.

The cup is named after Scottish-born Canadian businessman Donald Smith, who was chosen to drive the last spike of the trans-Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. He eventually became Canada’s High Commissioner to Great Britain and was later appointed to the British House of Lords in 1897. He also became president of Scotland’s Royal Caledonian Curling Club. He commissioned the trophy bearing his name to be contested between Canada and Scotland in 1909.

The 60 Scottish curlers were divided into three groups of five teams to curl in eastern, central and Western Canada.

The Pictou County clubs hosted the eastern curlers as part of their itinerary that began Jan. 11 in St. John’s, Nfld. The curlers toured clubs in P.E.I. on Friday and Saturday on their way west through New Brunswick and Quebec before arriving in Ottawa with the other Scottish teams for their return flight home.

New Caledonian hosted two matches. Their curlers included Cliff Taylor, Tom LeBlanc, club president Joel Sellers and Bill MacEachern on one team, and Mike Murdock, Mike MacKenzie, Kevan Walsh and Jamie Morrison on the other team.

Westville hosted two matches. Their teams included John Thompson, Donald Gordon, Donnie Hislop and Murray Muirhead on one team, and Jason LeBlanc, Duncan MacDonald, Dave Sangster and Shaun MacLaughlin on the other.

Bluenose Club hosted four games during the afternoon. Eric Beaton, Mike Chiasson, Dale Kaye and Frank MacArthur comprised one foursome. Haylett Clarke, Dave Holle, Gary Burton and Ernie Faford were on another team; John Marshall, Peter Grant, Graham Rodden and Eric Simms were on another team; and Jim Nix, Marc Essiambre, Chris Higdon and James DeWolfe made up another.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Westville member Allan Bird. “They’re having a good time, talking back and forth. They’re making some nice shots, too.”