Day 19 - Stranraer


The Tourists had an early morning departure (7:15 am) so had an early alarm after a late night at the Burns Supper in Ayr. Many Tourists slept on the bus. 

The first stop this morning was Turnberry Golf Club where the Tourists the opportunity to hit the pro shop and walk around a little at sunrise. 







Once the Tourists left Turnberry for the drive to Stanraer they took a road right along the ocean. Ocean on one side, hills and  fields on the other.  The road reminded a number of the Tourists of the Pacific Coast Highway (except on the Atlantic). Along the way, they spied the beautiful Ailsa Craig, the source of many curling stones, shrouded in fog.






Tour Courier David McIntyre presented each Tourist with their own piece of rock from Ailsa Craig.


After an hour drive from Turnberry, the Tourists arrived at the North West Castle Hotel which houses the Stranraer curling club. The Tourists were met by ice rink manager Gail Munro who coordinated the delivery of the Tourists luggage to their rooms. A bagpiper also greeted the tourists. 

The Stranraer Curling Club is a unique facility in a number of ways.  First, the club is located within a hotel.  I thought my club had it good with a hotel across the street.  I cannot image the partying that happens with the curling club in the hotel itself.  Secondly, hotel employees maintain the ice.  I don’t think I have ever seen someone with a vest and tie pebble, nip and drag rocks on the ice.  Finally, the Stranraer Curling Club only uses one hack.  If a left-hander is playing,  they need to pull the hack up and put it on the other side of the center line.













The morning results:

Team Anderson (USA/Red) vs. Team Brown (Scotland/Yellow)

USA - 6  Scotland - 3


Team Jackson (USA/Red) vs. Team Kirkpatrick (Scotland/Yellow)

USA - 8  Scotland - 8


Team Rich (USA/Red) vs. Team Wilson (Scotland/Yellow)

Scotland - 8  USA - 7


Team Wright (USA/Red) vs. Team Hare (Scotland/Yellow)

USA - 7  Scotland - 5


 The Tourists gained 4 shots in the morning draw.

The Tourists were served a lunch of steak pies and chips at the curling club/hotel provided with their room keys.  They had the chance to quickly freshen up and see the view from the hotel.




The afternoon results:

Team Beadle (USA/Red) vs. Team Penrose (Scotland/Yellow)

Scotland - 6  USA - 5


Team Anderson (USA/Red) vs. Team Cannon (Scotland/Yellow)
USA - 13  Scotland - 5


Team Jackson (USA/Red) vs. Team Galloway (Scotland/Yellow)
USA - 9  Scotland - 5


Team Rich (USA/Red) vs. Team Bell (Scotland/Yellow)
USA - 9  Scotland - 4

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The Tourists gained 16 shots in the afternoon to be up 20 on the day.  That puts their overall lead at 109 shots.

The Tourists were treated to a lovely reception at the North West Castle Hotel that included the singing of some lovely Scottish songs by Mhairi Lammie (no relation to Bobby Lammie that we are aware of).





Jeff Wright photobombing a picture of Tourist Craig Fischer with World Champion Gail Munro, is the ice rink manager at Stranraer Curling Club.


Tourist Craig Fischer was able to grab a selfie with the mother of Vicki Adams Chalmers.  Vicki played on Eve Muirhead’s 2014 Olympic Bronze Medal team and Craig hosted Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloane, Vicki Adams and Claire Hamilton at his home club in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 2013.  He stopped in to say Hello and send his regards to Vickie through her mom, Katie.  Katie insisted that the mother of Vickie Wright, who played with Eve on her 2022 Gold Medal Winning team, join the picture as well.




Tourist Peter Lyons collected his 91st different single malt scotch of the Tour tying the record from the previous Tour.  The record will be broken in Dumfries.


Tomorrow, the Tourists depart at 8:30 pm for Dumfries where they will visit a private curling museum, play one draw and then be home hosted for the next 2 nights.



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