Anyone who lives/works near any of the venues care to give a report?

Yes please, but I doubt it would be cold enough  especially after Christmas when half of us will be distinctly over weight!!*   


* - I wont be, I have thyroid problems, can't gain weight, and have basically been the same weight since I was about 15!!     

DAM!!

Any sign of it being marked out?

Photo in todays Dundee Courier of curling on Stormont Loch at Blairgowrie which i believe is a Grand Match loch. Loch leven is frozen over but i doubt if it is thick enough and it has a layer of snow over it.

Would a good citizen on here be able to make enquiries with the RCCC  on how far off Lake of Menteith is - as it sounds the best bet.

(or is it all too difficult for the RCCC these days........is the will there??)

I remember hearing somewhere that Grand Matches are not arranged during holidays for health and safety fears mainly.  Can you imagine the crowds that would turn out at a weekend or during the holidays to see the spectacle?  One shudders!

I imagine that the RCCC offices have been following normal office practice as far as the holidays are concerned.  In any case, there is a committee in place with plans afoot if the great event looks as if it will take place.  They would work independently of the office as far as planning and the like are concerned.  Publicising the event will be by adverts in the national press if past practice is anything to go by.  There may well be an email list of club secretaries.

One of the problems that has to be faced with this current cold snap is the amount of precipitation (snow!) that has fallen on top of guid holding ice.  Snow is the Grand Match's biggest enemy.  Actually - that's not true!  Warm weather is the Grand Match's biggest enemy - but you know what I mean!

Anyhow - I'm off to warmer climes, so a Guid New Year tae one and a'!

I don't think so John.  I think that the decision rests with the committee set out to organise the event.  Every year, they put a multitude of plans in place - even though they know that the event only happens once every twenty or thirty years.  A thankless task that these vounteers take seriously enough that, if and when it DOES happen, the event goes off smoothly.

Rest assured that there will be links with every meteorologist this side of Buenos Aires to ascertain where the best chance of the event happening is.  Their one ambition is to have the Grand Match run during "their watch", so to speak.

Sandy will have his ear to the ground, I am sure, and will keep forum members appraised.

Cant remember the details but I think there may have been a problem with Land owners or access to the loch. ie through the fields to the North onto the Lake. Access through the hotel is limited. Also local roads are narrow and police involved it traffic directions from south, east and west. Loch Leven always suffered from ripples on the surface. Why not the lochs between Dunkeld and Blairgowrie which are tried and tested.
Piper Dam although suitable is untested and never been used for such event.
Finally who is the current chairperson of the Grand Match Committee after the unfortunate deaths of Iain Turnbull and Ainsli Smith.
GM do you know?