Club History
The Early Years: 1853-1906
Early Racing on the Forth
No history of Stirling Amateur Boating and Swimming Club would be complete without some reference being made to boating and boat racing on the River Forth prior to the formation of an organised club.
Previous to the year 1853 regattas were held at Alloa, Dunmore, Airth, Perth, Dundee, Glasgow, Gairlock, etc., and though the suggestion had been repeatedly made that Stirling might well have a regatta, no action was taken until 1854, when a crew rowing the 'Thistle', challenged a crew of railway porters to race them from the Cruive Dykes to the Old Bridge in the 'Rose'. The race took place on May 30, and resulting in a victory for the railway porters. A large crowd gathered to witness the finish of the contest. Mr James Johnston, who had built the 'Thistle', got up a crew, challenged the winners of the first race, and on June 13, 1855, met the railway porters on the same course. Mr Johston's crew not only won the race, but reduced the previous time by some four minutes over the three and a half mile course.
A Welcome Gift
One result of the first race was the receipt of a letter from Mr John Macfarlane, of Coneyhill, inviting the crew of the 'Thistle' to meet him. Two crew members attended and received a cheque for £200 for the furtherance of boating and regattas at Stirling.
Regatta Club Formed
A Regatta Club was immediately formed, and the pastime quickly grew in popularity. Six boats were procured, named 'Commodor', 'Coneyhill', 'Red Rover', 'Sherlini', 'Scotsman' and 'Lightning', and a club boathouse was also built. The Town Council gave the Club £7 10s for the Burgh Stakes Race at the Regatta, and on July 22 1854, a grand day's racing was witnessed by a large crowd. Mr Macfarlane attended, accompanied by a number of his friends, and so provide a challenge cup for thirty feet outriggers, and placed £500 of North British Railway stock as a permanent fund to meet expenses. The Club progressed so favourable that in 1955 a uniform was adopted.
Race for the Macfarlane Cup
The first race for the Macfarlane Cup was at the Regatta of 1855. The weather was fine, and the number of spectators larger than on the previous year. Among those present were the Patron of the Club, the Provost and Councillors and the elite of the neighbourhood. A grandstand had been erected, and refreshments were provided for members and friends, the day being proclaimed a holiday. The contest for the Macfarlane Cup lay between a Stirling and an Edinburgh crew. Both crews were comprised of army personnel and after a well contested race the Edinburgh crew were declared the winners.
Racing now become very general, and throughout the season numerous club contests were held, between various crews in the Club, with an occasional race against the railway men.
Trips up the river were much enjoyed - on one occasion a crew rowed to Cardross on the Stirling Carse, then, by carting their boat overland, reached the Lake of Menteith, returning by the same route later in the day.
The Club in Financial Difficulties
As early as March 1856, the Club was devising means to remove the debt incurred by the erection of the boathouse and in the following year a committee was appointed at the annual meeting.
The Clydesdale Club issued a challenge to row in fours, pairs, or to scull; however, the contests did not come off.
On May 12 a spirited but friendly impromptu race took place between the 'Blue Bell' and 'Red Rover', and on June 3 another between the 'Pirate' and 'Cambuskenneth', which raised considerable interest, and ended in a challenge by the 'Pirate' to row again.
The Regatta of 1856
July 26, 1856, witnessed a keen contest for the Macfarlane Cup, with crews entered from Glasgow, Dumbarton, Manchester and Edinburgh. The Edinburgh crew arrived two weeks prior to the Regatta and practised daily. A newspaper report of the Regatta says: As the hour for commencing proceedings drew near, the banks of the river presented a most beautiful and animated spectacle, no fewer than seven thousand person lining them on both sides. The Provost, Magistrates and Town Council, headed by members of the Club, in uniform, proceeded in procession to the grandstands; the Macfarlane Cup was borne before them, and on arrival there was placed in from on it. The number of boats of all descriptions on the river was immense, from the handsome little yacht of Mr Paton, Clackmannan, to the needle-like skiff of Mr McNeil, Glasgow.
The final for the Cup witnessed a grand race, with Manchester defeating Dumbarton. Mr Macfarlane was unable to be present, through illness but entertained his friends to dinner in the Royal Hotel; while the Club dined in the Star hotel. Is it too much to expect a revival of this interesting scene? Surely not, when rowing is acknowledged to be one of the finest pastimes.
Poet William Sinclair wrote this poem about the Macfarlane Cup contest:
The challenge cup, the challenge cup,
Macfarlane's glorious challenge cup,
Another day comes racing roun',
when you may win the challenge cup
Regatta in 1857
At the regatta on July 18, a Stirling crew won the Burgh Stakes Race, and the four-car jolly boat race, beating Glasgow and Newcastle crews. The Macfarlane Cup was won by a Newcastle crew, Glasgow crews taking second and third places.
At the Lake of Menteith Regatta, held on September 2, and supported by a large contingency of Stirling oarsman, the only first prize gained by local rowers was in the youths' race.
A Walk-Over for the Macfarlane Cup
With a view to brining the Macfarlane Cup back to Stirling, lighter built boats were called for, such as were used on the Clyde and other rivers.
On July 16 the 'Star of the Forth' gained second prize at Dumbarton, and in a criticism it was slated that 'if they put more body into the strokes they would be hard to beat'.
This year everything seemed favourable for a grand Regatta in August, prizes being numerous and competitors plentiful, including the famous Calderheads of Cartsdyke. Yet only one entry was received for the Macfarlane Cup, Clydesdale having a walk-over, a condition of affairs much regretted by all interested in local boat-racing.
Gentlemen Amateur Racing Club
In February, 1859, a meeting was held with the object of forming a Gentlemen Amateur Rowing Club, and a president appointed.
Racing in 1859
During March several changes were made in the officer-bearers of the Boating and Regatta Club, and the Club was reported to be in a flourishing condition.
On July 15, a Stirling crew carried off first prize, value £15, at Dumbarton Regatta, and high hopes were again raised for the return of the Macfarlane Cup to Stirling.
The crew who won the County Stakes Race at the Stirling Regatta on July 30, also competed in the Macfarlane Cup race, but only gained second place to Clydesdale.
At the Lake of Menteith Regatta later in the year three first prizes were gained by Stirling Crews.
A Racing Innovation of 1860
At the Flag Regatta on June 2 1860, two innovations were introduced, the previous custom of al boats rounding one boat or buoy being changed to the new method of a buoy for each boat, while prizes in kind other than flags were awarded.
One first prize and five second were gained by Stirling crews at Lake of Menteith this year; while a Loch Lubnaig Regatta, attended by crews from Greenock, Dumbarton, and Stirling the latter putting three crews in for the Ladies' Plate race, the Stirling boat 'Crest of the Wave' came in first. Both these regattas were well attended, Loch Lubnaig being patronised by Prince Victor of Hohenlohe and many of the aristocracy.
Stirling Regatta seems to have gone back this year, and only one race is recorded. The home crew thus secured the Macfarlane Cup. Mr Macfarlane and his many friends were disappointed at this failure to carry on the Stirling Regatta and shortly afterwards he received back his cup from the custody of the Town Council.
Thirty One Years On
After a lapse of thirty-one years, during which time the river was practically deserted, scarcely a craft being seen on it except the fishing cobbles, and an occasional day's racing organised by the military; a canoe, named the 'Heath', might be seen going up and down the river, its occupant looking lonely. This solitary devotee of boating was made the recipient of much river lore, and was frequently asked to start a boating club, but the first effort he made locally in the way of aquatics was to organise swimming galas in the years 1891 and 1892, at each of which there were around 400 onlookers and 70 competitors. As a result of these galas, he was urged more strongly than ever to start a club. Several preliminary meetings were held and in September, 1893, the first public meeting was convened in Dowdy's Temperance Hotel and a Club Committee formed.
Other clubs were visited, boats bought at Greenock, Port Glasgow, and elsewhere, and a boathouse built. The boathouse, some 40 by 20 feet, was built on a site reportedly adjacent to the clubhouse of 1854.
A Grand Opening
The formal opening was made on Thursday, May 10, 1894, when twelve club and numerous private boats, including the canoe 'Heath', and another canoe, the owner of which was on his way round the coast of Scotland, took part in a procession to the scene of former rowing contests, between the Old Bridge and Kildean. Here, the Hon President, gave a few interesting reminiscences of boating in the earlier years, and expressed a strong hope that the new club would go on and prosper.
From this time full use was made of the advantages provided for enjoying a sail on the river, and on May 30, at the first committee meeting after the opening, the Secretary was instructed to purchase a sixteen feet outrigged skiff and two new jolly boats of the latest design from McAlister of Dumberton.
On June 11, the first contest took place in sixteen feet skiffs for a silver medal presented by the Provost and a book given by a local patron. A large number of spectators witnessed the race. This was followed by a second competition, the newspaper most referring to which says:
Although the weather was unpromising, there was a good attendance of the public, who showed by their presence and patience the interest that has been aroused.
On July 12 a most interesting ceremony took place, the naming and launching of two more jolly boats.
Several hundred friends assembled at the boathouse. The Hon President introduced his daughter, to whom Councillor Small presented a pair of silver scissors, subscribed for by the wives and lady friends of the members, at the same time reminding her of the old wives' tale that a sharp-pointed instrument of any kind is unlucky unless something is given in return. The Hon President's daughter propitiated the fates by giving a coin in exchange, and then, cutting the red, white and blue ribbons, the boats were launches, the first being named 'Milly', and the second 'Drysdale'. The boats were manned and rowed about on the river and many compliments were paid to the builders on account of the 'neat and good' workmanship'. A swimming match for juniors under fifteen years for a silver badge was held. A skiff race for youths for a silver badge brought a most enjoyable afternoon to a close.