A Brief History of THE FIRST GLASGOW v AYRSHIRE MATCH compiled by David
Houston (Past President Ayrshire Bowling Association)
The Glasgow V Ayrshire game is frequently noted as having commenced in 1857, that being the year when the Earl of Eglinton presented the silver claret jug, but the first games, home and home, were played in 1855.
The Earl of Eglinton, as is universally known, was the prime mover in getting up this match, and the first communication regarding it is in a letter addressed by Mr C. D. Gairdner to Mr D. J. Mack, the former secretary of Ardrossan Bowling Club, asking him to take charge of the arrangements. The letter is as follows:
Pavilion, Ardrossan, 11thJune 1855
“Bowling Bonspiel”
“Glasgow Clubs v All Ayrshire”
Dear Sir,
I have been in correspondence with Lord Eglinton as to a friendly game of bowls that may encourage the
members of the many younger clubs lately formed, by bringing them into collision with more experienced
bowlers.
I shall feel much obliged if you will act as Honorary Secretary. My impression is that we could muster 144
players, or 36 rinks from this county, and as there are seven or eight bowling clubs in Glasgow they will
have no difficulty in facing us with an equal number of players. The game would come off in one day on the
greens near the railway stations, viz., Ayr, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Ardrossan, Kilwinning Eglinton, Troon, and
Dundonald. A return match would be played immediately thereafter in Glasgow, and the aggregate shots for
the two days would fix the champion side.
It would facilitate an adjustment of all preliminary points were you to get each club in Glasgow and
Ayrshire to name a representative member, and in that case, you could ask them to attend a meeting to
arrange every point. Probably Saturday 23inst. would be a suitable date for them to meet at the hotel here
(Eglinton Arms) on the arrival of the train at half past twelve, and they may probably incline to take a game
after the business of the meeting is finished.
I fear that we cannot extend the field of our adversaries beyond Glasgow, or I would have named Paisley in
addition.
Yours truly, “C. D. Gairdner”
Mr Mack accepted the position and issued a circular requesting clubs in Glasgow and Ayrshire to name a representative for the meeting on 23June. That meeting was held in the Eglinton Arms Hotel, and all the Glasgow clubs were represented: representatives were also present from all Ayrshire clubs mentioned in Mr Gairdner’s letter, with the exception of Ayr. The rules of Willow Bank Club were adopted, and the game was fixed to last three hours.The Committee appointed to take care of the arrangement consisted of Messrs. Brown, Gairdner, Moffat, Mack and Houston ( all members of Ardrossan Bowling Club ) for Ayrshire, and Messrs Kyle (Albany), Cairns (Willow Bank), McKay (Wellcroft), and Fleming (Whitevale) for Glasgow, and the match was fixed for 2 August on the Ayrshire greens – Dundonald green being left out, probably because of the difficulty Glasgow players might have in getting to it as there was no handy station.
The game was played on that day, and resulted in a victory for Glasgow by 285 shots, the respective scores being Glasgow1187 shots, Ayrshire 902 shots. The names of the clubs who opposed Ardrossan cannot be traced but the scores were – Glasgow 197, Ardrossan 181. The return match was played at Glasgow on 9 August, and again victory rested with the city, the scores on this occasion being1282 shots to 822 shots, a gross majority over the two matches of 745. The names of the Glasgow clubs only are given in the reports of the match, the County clubs coming under the heading of “Ayrshire.”
A grand Banquet took place in the City Hall in the afternoon after the match, the Lord Provost occupying the Chair, and being supported by Lord Eglinton and the Presidents of the various clubs, while Mr Gairdner acted as Master of ceremonies. The first toast was “Lord Eglinton and the Ayrshire Bowlers,” and his Lordship’s reply was brimful of bowling. A short extract of his speech may be quoted –
“Independently of the amusement we derive from these games they bring us together after they are over, and all differences of opinion are obliterated. Though we all have a strong BIAS in one thing, we are like all men at present, we take a shot at little JACK (Lord John Russell). We must at the same time be the most sober members of the community, for though we are constantly handling and looking over the bowls we never drink out of them, and though a good many of the Ayrshire bowlers may be blamed for being ‘tight’ I don’t believe they are a bit stingy. I must apologise for this wit for I am afraid it is on a par with the Ayrshire bowling.”
Baillie Mitchell, in proposing the health of Mr C. D. Gairdner, said “We are greatly indebted to this gentleman, for to him belonged the credit, more than to any other, of promoting this contest. In the late game I had the pleasure of being opposed to Mr Gairdner, and I can assure that he is an ugly customer to combat with, at the same time most courteous and gentlemanly. In the game at Ardrossan we the good fortune to be successful, but today, on our own green, and with the powerful aid of the Lord Provost, we only came off second best.”
It was in 1857 that the Earl of Eglinton presented the Bowlers of Glasgow and Ayrshire the very handsome
trophy which is still competed for annually. The Glasgow Herald reported this event, and included a very detailed description of the trophy, now known
as “The Eglinton Jug”. ‘The silver plate is in the form of a handsome silver maugraum claret tankard, embossed all round in the richest manner. On one side we see a stag hunt, the figures of the stag and dogs beautifully laid in, full of expression and spirit, and exhibiting great skill and taste in the artist.
On the other side is the inscription – “Presented to the Bowlers of Glasgow and Ayrshire by Archibald, Earl of Eglinton and Winton 1857”. The handle is solid and massive, and the mouth, or spout, is very appropriately formed. On the top of the lid is a beautiful modelled figure by William Beattie, a name now well known to all who take an interest in fine arts. It is executed in his happiest manner. The whole stands on a massive pedestal, encircled by a frosted silver imitation of a rocky fringe. Altogether the work realises the sentiment of beauty, capacity, and solidity. Doubtless it will serve the arm of bowlers of Glasgow and Ayrshire for many generations’. This, of course, it has now done for over 160 years this year!
The draw for 2026 is contained her:
Glasgow Ayrshire 2026 – Draw – Plain format