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Pitch artist’s appeal for Carterhaugh Ba’ information
FOREST Pitch organisers have appealed for information on what became of the commemorative cup or plate made for the men of Selkirk for their role in the game of football, writes Kenny Paterson.
Carterhaugh Ba’ took place in 1815 and saw teams drawn from the estates of Duke Charles of Buccleuch take on the men of Selkirk, Hawick and Galashiels in a contest involving hundreds of players and very few rules.
Sir Walter Scott was involved in designing a commemorative cup or plate that was present on the day.
Bowhill House is now looking to re-enact the game in 2015 to mark the bi-centenary, while Abbotsford is considering whether there is the potential for a temporary exhibition.
Bowhill manager Andrew Brough said: “It must have been an incredible sight.
“There were around 2,000 spectators and Sir Walter Scott and his son were there, urging the men on, while martial music was played on the bagpipes and the war banner of the Scotts was unfurled for the first time since 1633.
“The Duke set up a refreshments tent and all the men on his team wore a sprig of heather (their opponents wore pine) – among them was the poet James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd.”
Forest Pitch artist Craig Coulthard added: “Despite the immense changes that have taken place since 1815, there is so much continuity.
“Sir Walter Scott’s literature still enjoys a vast audience, Abbotsford remains central to his story, the Borders are still at the forefront of sports and art and once again the Buccleuch Estate is playing a vital part in a highly unusual football tournament.
“Something that particularly interested me is that the Scottish Football Museum told me that Sir Walter Scott was involved in commissioning a commemorative cup or plate, but have no idea whether it still exists – if it does I would love to see something which takes us so far back in the game’s history.”
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Weather for Selkirk
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
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