10 AM - 4 PM, Tuesday - Friday, April - October. Donations / Membership

Gallery | Sports and Recreation

Back to Albums

There are 64 images in our collection which match the category of Sports and Recreation. Please select a photo to view it in more detail and to read comments from other visitors.

Showing 64 photos.

Inver Football Club, after a successful season in the Ross-shire Welfare League, pictured with the Pattison Challenge Cup, Mid-Ross Shield and Ross-shire Cup.

Inver F.C. treble winners

1960 (1 comments)

Tain Thistle F.C. players and volunteers gathered outside the entrance of the Railway Hotel in Tain to celebrate the winning of the Ross-shire Welfare League and Charity Shield, in July 2009.

Tain Thistle F.C. - Ross-shire Welfare winning team

2009

Players and committee of Tain St Duthus celebrate winning the North of Scotland 2nd XI Cup (now known as the North Caledonian Cup) for the third time.

Tain St Duthus F.C. - winners of the North of Scotland 2nd XI Cup

1984

Team photo of the winners of the Ness Cup for 1979/80.Back row L to R: Edwin Skinner, Ian Macdonald, Alan Duff, Willie Macdonald, Willie (Chats) Ross, Dave Ross, Gordon Mackay, Mike StainkeFront row L to R: Sammy McClymont, Richard Hart, Allan Stainke, David John Ross, Bobby Robertson and Tommy Morrison

Tain St Duthus F.C. - winners of the Ness Cup

1979

Presentation of new strips from Ernie Ross carpets to team manager Tommy Ross and assistant Gavin MacDonald. Also pictured are Sean and Stuart from Tain U16s. Ernie Ross was a long-time former player with Tain St Duthus.Standing: Gavin MacDonald, Ernie Ross, Tommy RossCrouching: Sean Robertson and Stuart Ross

Tain St Duthus F.C. - Presentation of new strip from Ernie Ross Carpets

1995

Christopher 'Christy' Grant, pictured with the Pattison Cup, Cordiner Cup, Perrins Cup and the Ross-shire Junior Cup in 1963 - one of the club's most successful seasons as members of the Ross-shire Welfare league.Christy was a key figure behind the scenes for the club during the 1960s and 70s and played an instrumental part in taking the club from the amateur ranks into the North Reserve League.Christy sadly passed away in 1981 aged 40. In the early 1990s, the club named their new playing field, situated adjacent to the Links, as

Christopher Grant - Trainer/Coach/Manager of St Duthus F.C.

1963

Photo of Tain St Duthus FC in their second season in the North of Scotland Reserve (2nd XI) League in 1972-73. The team at this time were getting to grips with the higher standard with a group of mostly younger players.Back L to R: David Sutherland, ?, Robert Ross, John Irvine, William Ross, Mike Stainke, Cyril HallidayFront row L to R: Martin Ryan, Tommy Morrison, Martin Laird, Ian Macdonald, Christie Reid

Tain St Duthus F.C. - second season in the North Reserve League

1972

St Duthus F.C. - champions of the Ross-shire Welfare League in 1955.Back row L to R: Charlie Mitchell, Dougle MacDougall, Alastair Munro, Malcolm Truran, Gordie Ross, Johnny RossFront row L to R: Alex Findlay Vass, Hugh MacDonald, Robbie Hart, James Robb, John Mackay, Bob Campbell (trainer)The scotty dog in the background belongs to Mr Campbell!

St Duthus F.C. - Ross-shire Welfare League champions

1955

A team photo of Tain Thistle FC during their second of two seasons competing in the North Caledonian League. The team was managed by former player John Oliver for one season before they withdrew from the league.Back row L to R: Andy 'Dickie' Durrand, Andy Murray, Chris 'Chippie' Mailley, Darran Goller, Ali Matheson, Russell Lawrie, Lee Morrison, Daniel Christie, Martyn FarquharFront row L to R: Martin Smith, Kyle Oliver, Craig 'Skelet' Sutherland, Arron Christie, Ashley Mills, Gordy Oman, David 'Shengy' Mackay

Tain Thistle F.C. - North Caledonian League

2009

This photo, while not 100% confirmed, is believed to be the St Duthus team who won the first ever Pattisons Challenge Cup in 1896, after it has been donated to the town by the Pattison brothers the year prior. This could also be a photograph of the 1902 winning team.The first final ended in controversy after hosts St Duthus protested the winning goals of their opponents, Dingwall Victoria United, stating that they had been scored after the allotted time had been played.The game was replayed a week later in Tain and St Duthus were crowned the first ever winners. It began a decade long rivalry with Dingwall that saw them exchange many wins and losses in finals thereafter.

St Duthus F.C. - first ever Pattisons' Cup winners (?)

1896 (1 comments)

In November of 1895, Pattison, Elder & Co made a donation of a solid silver trophy to Crown Hotel proprietor George Harvey, which was duly presented to his beloved Saint Duthus Football Club.The “handsome” cup was photographed for display in the window of wine merchant Donald Macleod’s shop on the High Street, resplendent in all its glory for the town to see, inscribed with the following text:PATTISONS’ CHALLENGE CUPPresented by Pattisons Distillers, LeithTo The St Duthus Football ClubFor Annual CompetitionBetween the Ross, Cromarty and Sutherland Association Football Clubs1895To G Harvey, Crown Hotel, TainUnder the auspices of the now defunct Ross-shire Junior Football Association, the trophy was contested every year until the advent of war in 1914, and featured as a prominent fixture in the football calendar from 1919 until the mid 1930s. Each time the final was played at the home of Saint Duthus FC, at the Links.It was revived in later years by the Ross-shire Welfare League where it was played at both Tain and Inver.

The Pattisons' Challenge Cup trophy

1895

Club captain Martyn Ross and goalkeeper David Matheson unveiling the club's new strips. The new kit was donated by Metalwork UK, Tain ahead of the club's 2003-04 season.The picture was taken at Grant Park, in Tain.

New strips presented to Tain St Duthus F.C. from Metalwork UK

2003

Club president Peter Mackenzie, known as The Count de Serra Largo, is pictured with the team around the time of the club's North of Scotland Junior Cup win at Thistle Park, Inverness.The team beat Catch-My-Pal FC of Inverness in the final - a remarkable feat at the time as St Duthus were only a guest team in the competition.

St Duthus F.C. - North of Scotland Junior Cup winners

1925

An old photograph of Hilton of Cadbol tennis courts, donated by Simon Young. The tennis courts were on the shore below Cadbol House.

Cadbol House Tennis Court

1905 (1 comments)

Fearn Ladies football team at the Tain Carnival, 1936. Donated to the museum by Davine Sutherland.

Fearn Ladies Football Team

1936 (1 comments)

Hilton Primary School cup winners

Hilton Primary School cup winners

1969 (2 comments)

Tain FC 1920 - Winners of the Pattisons' Challenge Cup. My grandfather William Barnett Dunnett is standing second from the left.

St Duthus F.C. - Pattisons' Challenge Cup winners

1920 (1 comments)

Tain Royal Academy football team 1960-61 taken in the grounds of the old Academy.
Back Row: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7(teacher), 8
Front Row: 9,10,11,12,13,14.

TRA21 - football team 1960-61

1960 (2 comments)

Tain Royal Academy football team 1958-59 taken in old Academy grounds.
Back Row:1,2,3,4,5,6,7 (teacher)
Front Row:8,9,10,11,12,13.

TRA20 - football team 1958-59

1958 (3 comments)

Tain Royal Academy football team 1959-60
Back Row: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,
Front Row:8,9,10,11,12,13.

TRA18 - football team 1959-60

1959 (3 comments)

Tain Royal Academy hockey team c 1959-1960.
Back Row: 1,2,3,4,5,6,
Front Row:7,8,9,10,11.

TRA4 - hockey team

1960 (2 comments)

Tain Royal Academy hockey team c 1962.
Back Row: Muriel Stenhouse (Watson),2,3,4,5,6,7,
Front Row:8,9,10,11,12.

TRA3 - hockey team

1962 (3 comments)

Tain Royal Academy football team c 1960.
Back Row:1,2,3,4,5,6,
Front Row:7,8,9,10,11,12.

TRA2 - football team

1960 (1 comments)

This picture was provided by Kate. Names have been provided by Jo Mackenzie. She suggests this picture was taken c.1950.

Back row l-r:David Vass from Shandwick, Roddie Mclennan (Mandy Rhind's dad), David (Tag's son), Archie MacRae, Iain MacPherson, John McAngus (Helen Fisher's brother)
Front row l-r: Johnny Vass,Frank Ross Andrew Ross (Rita's son), David Clark (Hilton,I think) , don't know the last one but think it could be Donnie Patience ,Hilton.

Kate came back with these names which agree up to the last two.What do you think?

Balintore Rovers FC (probably in the 1950s)
Back row, l-r: David Vass (Shandwick), Roddy Maclennan (Fearn), David (Skinner? Balintore), Archie Macrae (Balintore), Iain Macpherson (Balintore), John MacAngus (Balintore)
Front row, l-r: Johnny Vass (Balintore), Frank Ross (Hilton), Andrew Ross, James Robb (Shandwick), Donnie Vass (Shandwick )

Seaside Rovers, Balintore

1950 (2 comments)

Ron Simpson (Relief Excise Officer), Ivy Walker (Secretary to Sheriff's Clerk, Alec McTavish) and Rhoda Hood (a keen member of Tain Dramatic Society, along with her sisters, Connie and Dorothy) walking up Hill of Tain on a picnic outing Easter 1952. Stagcroft is visible behind the walkers. Ken Drage (Relief Excise Officer) is taking the photograph.

Going to Hill of Tain, Easter 1952

1952

Ken Drage (Relief Excise Officer), Rhoda Hood, Ivy Walker and Ron Simpson (Relief Excise Officer) at Hill of Tain on a picnic, Easter 1952.

Picnic on Tain Hill, Easter 1952

1952

This picture, possibly taken in the 1950s shows four well known Tain businessmen enjoying a relaxing game of cards. George Hamilton had a draper's busines, first in the High Street, then in King Street (where Brambles Coffee Shop is today). Hector (

Canasta Party

1950 (8 comments)

This motor cycle works belonging to G A Ross was at the corner of Queen Street and King Street, opposite Gladstone Buidings. Unfortunately as with many of our photos we have no date for this picture. An Easter Ross Almanack of 1910, lists a George A Ross as a

G A Ross, Tain Motor Cycle Depot

Date unknown

This photograph of Tain Pipe Band was taken during their first outing after the war at the Victory Parade on Tain Links in June, 1946.

Back Row, L to R - Pipe Major, S Innes; Duncan Mackenzie; Kenneth Stewart; George Ross; William Morrison; Christopher Skinner; George Robertson;
Front Row, L to R - Norman Mackenzie; Alex Macdonald; Lachlan Gallie; Frank Birnie.

Tain Pipe Band, 1946

1946 (3 comments)

The onlookers watch carefully as the serious business of an obviously crucial measure is taking place during a game of bowls at the St Duthus Bowling club.

Today's bowlers might not be too happy with the state of the bowling green which appears anything but smooth.

On the Green, St Duthus Bowling Club

Date unknown (2 comments)

A sizeable crowd awaits the traditional opening of throwing the first jack by Mrs Fowler, wife of Provost Fowler.

She is the splendidly dressed lady, including a large white hat, and he is the gentleman to the right of the table wearing a black hat.

The 1906 Opening of S Duthus Bowling Club, Tain

1906

The above watercolour was probably painted sometime during the 1920-30s, possibly by a pupil or teacher of the then Royal Academy of Tain as the contributor's aunt was an Art teacher there during the period c1915-45. If anyone knows anything about this picture, in particular the person (C Johnston) who painted it, please get in touch.

Watercolour from Tain by C Johnston

1925 (2 comments)

This Scottish Country Dancing class was run by Agnes Macrae.
Back Row L to R - Wilson Davidson, Tina Cormack, Rosemary Munro (Mackenzie), Henry Sharp, Jess Dunbar, Nellie Murray, Jim Ross, Katy Sharp, Joyce Allan, Elizabeth MacMillan
Front Row L to R - Jana Mackay. Agnes Macrae. Margaret Fox, Elizabeth Macdonald, Dolly Macdonald, Cathy Carmichael, Betty MacMillan.

Tain Country Dancing Class

Date unknown

This formidable group of Tain Lady golfers taken outside the clubhouse possibly around 1960 is made up as follows:-
Back L to R - Rachel Ross (mother of Ian

A Bevy of Lady Golfers

1960 (1 comments)

The railway reached Tain in 1864. Tain station used to be a very busy place and employed c30 people in its heyday. It had several sidings, sheds, a water tank and a turntable but is now unmanned.
Most of Tain’s provisions arrived by rail. Before motor vehicles became more available horses and carts were used to transport the goods from the station.
This picture shows the station in the 1960's when it was still manned.
Picture courtesy of the Scottish Field magazine.

Tain Station c1960

1960 (5 comments)

Photographed on the steps of The Grove in Tain are some of the Tain Amateur Dramatic Society after winning the Rose Bowl trophy at the Scottish Community Drama Association Division Finals c1956/7.
Back L to R - Ian MacGregor, Elma Stenhouse , Bert Halliday
Front L to R - Wattie Louden, Connie Hood, Ian Chisholm

Tain Amateur Dramatic Society's Winning Team

1956 (2 comments)

Here we see some of the young talent around in the Fearn area in the 1960's. The occasion is either a Youth Club or School Dance taking place in Fearn Hall.
L to R - James Tate, ?, Walter Munro.

Youth Dance, Fearn, 1964/5

1964

This splendid picture of the 1949 Tain Pipe Band was taken at Invergordon Games. It must have been warm under those skins. Unfortunately we have no names for these well rigged out gentlemen.

Tain Pipe Band, 1949

1949 (11 comments)

This group of Highland Dancers took part in The Tain 1949 Carnival. It includes Shirley Strachan - bottom right - and illustrates how both costumes and hairstyles have changed since then.
Full list - Back L to R - Alix Tulloch, Isobel Ross, Joan mcLean, Etta Munro. Front L To R - Mary Mackintosh, Shirley Strachan.

Group of Highland Dancers, 1949

1949 (8 comments)

This wonderful action photo shows Mrs Jessie Mackay just pipping Mrs Sybil Findlay in the Married Women's Race, part of the Carnival activities on the Links in 1949. How many of their modern counterparts could manage to look so athletic and perform in such cumbersome clothing?

Married Women's Race, Tain 1949 Carnival

1949

This picture depicts Lawrence Benson surrounded by his Harem in a

Tain Carnival Concert, 1949

1949

Tain Silver Band

Tain Silver Band, 1946

1946

This picture of football playing Easter Ross Veterans gives a good illustration of the old leather football and boots used in days gone by.

Back L to R - Ken Moir, Wm Ross, Joe Ross, Geo. Macdonald, R Garrow, H Mackenzie
Front L to R - W Macpherson, Ron Corbett, D Beaton, J Tarrel, W Budge

Easter Ross Veterans FC, July 1949

1949

This line up shows the players, coaches and officials who were part of Tain St Duthus FC set up in 1947. The team had just been revived after several years in abeyance during WW2.Back L to R - Lachie Gallie, Jock Corbett, Neil Ross, Hamish Reid, Hugh Aird, Peter Henderson, Archie Forsyth, Ronnie Stalker, Harry SutherlandFront L to R - George Douglas, Hamish Sutherland, Gordie Matheson, Allan Dundas, Uisdean Ross, Hugh Macdonald

Post war reformation of St Duthus F.C.

1947 (2 comments)

These proud looking lads make up a Tain Juvenile team who in 1947 won the Pieraccini Cup. This cup was provided by Leo Pieraccini, the founder of The Chocolate Shop, confectionery and cafe, in Tain High Street. ( See Picture #253 ) It was one of many things Leo did to encourage the local youngsters to participate in sport.

Back L to R - Simon Urquhart, Rod Macleod, Billy Skinner, Derek Young, Gregor Munro
Front L to R - Jim Hay, J Corbett, David Mitchell, Gordon Mitchell, John Ross, Graham Munro

Tain Juveniles Football Team, 1947

1947 (7 comments)

This post card picture by C W Ross. Tain, is one of several showing youngsters bathing/swimming at a deep bend in Tain River or off the banks along the shore before erosion wore them back too far from high tide. The spot on the river was known as the

Big Boys' Hole, Tain

Date unknown (6 comments)

Pat Swanson thinks this ph0to showing Benny Bremner sprinkling slipperine on the floor in preparation for the Nigg Badminton Club Dance, was taken c1963. For those not familiar with the practice, slipperine was, as the name suggests, used to make the dance floor slippy. The art was to sprinkle sufficient to allow the dancers to glide across the floor but not too much as to be dangerous.

Benny Bremner, Nigg

1963 (5 comments)

According to Pat Swanson, the stores counter at Tain Motors was used as a bar for the employees New Year holiday break up celebrations. Davie Ross was the car salesman and Tommy Rostock, the Garage Manager. He did not say to what extent the two are posing for the camera. If not, it looks as if the photo was taken well on into the celebrations.

Davie Ross and Tommy Rostock, New Year, 1966

1966 (2 comments)

Pat Swanson performing in his school concert in 1957

School Concert

1957 (1 comments)

These enthusiastic youngsters are taking part in a concert in Arabella Hall c1956.

Concert at Arabella

1956 (2 comments)

This is a lovely photo of a group of barefooted boys playing about in the garden of a large house, possibly Balnagown Castle, and being closely observed by a passing family or staff member. The picture doesn't have the photographer's name on it but it may have been taken by William Smith. As well as being Tain's photographer and stationer, he also started a Ragged Sabbath School in 1858 and was involved in running it for many years. The pupils were occasionally invited to Balnagown for tea as a treat.

Children's games

1890 (2 comments)

Standing L to R - Willie Ross, Charlie Cooper, Murd Ross, Roddy Christie, Archie Finlay
Kneeling L to R - Alan Davidson, Norman Ferguson, Jimmy Clunas, Lochart Fraser, Danny Ross, Jockan Macrae.

St Duthus FC Veterans

1950 (2 comments)

This photo is of the St Duthus football team in 1963.The team won four cup competitions this year, ultimately losing out on the league title on a sore note due to them fielding an ineligible player, Derek Oates from Edderton, who was a Ross County at the time.Back row L to R. Christopher Grant (coach), Sandy Sutherland, Ally Macgregor, Donnie Macleod, Charlie Ross, Gordon Mitchell, Jockie Urquhart, Jockie Stout.Front row L to R. Aeneas Urquhart, Sandy Adams, Tom Ross, Ernie Ross, Dan Findlay

St Duthus F.C. - Christy Grant's cup winners

1963 (2 comments)

This post card was published by Urquhart, Dingwall and Tain. It is postmarked

Opening new Golf Course, Tain, 1911

1911

The Lealty Stone was a

Finlay Munro and the Lealty Stone

1950

Unfortunately we have no date for this event but a cut down version of this Post Card picture also appears in an album of photos compiled by William Ross, Jeweller and Watchmaker in Tain who lived in the latter part of the 19th and the first part of the 20th centuries. Two names have been written on the back -

Hare Shoot at Strathrory

1910 (1 comments)

This example of a humorous postcard from the begining of the 20th century was posted in Tain on the 30th August, 1906 to

Seaside sketches at Tain

1906

The date of this potograph is not known, but the vehicle is a 1899 Wolseley. The car, with driver and co-driver, is shown on an unspecified country road. At the time the photograph was taken, vehicles taking part in this run would have to pass through all the towns now by-passed (Muir of Ord, Dingwall, Alness, Invergordon, Tain, etc)

Lands End to John O`Groats

1920

This a copy of a post card shows Castlecraig Golf Course and clubhouse c1910. The Nigg Ferry Hotel is the building behind the clubhouse. See also Picture# No 2390.1

The Golf Links and Clubhouse, Nigg

1910

This picture is of the original clubhouse built when Tain Golf Club (then called St Duthus Golf Club) was first established in 1890-91. It lay on the far side of the Plaids road from Tain and was superceded by a new structure in 1911 (Picture #59). The foundations were cleared and done up and a large stone placed in the centre bearing a brass plaque by the TOGS (Tain Occasional Golfers Society) for the club's 100th Centenary in 1990.

Original Clubhouse, Tain GC

1900

This clubhouse was constructed after the golf course was extended to the Tain side of the Plaids Road. It was built round the original building which was dragged by sledge from its original site on the far side of the Plaids Road. See Picture #65 for the original clubhouse.

Opening of golf clubhouse, Tain, 1911

1911

This postcard was sent from Fearn to Edinburgh in 1903. The view is looking across The Links from Gallow Hill towards the railway line with the slaughter house beyond on the right and the goods shed is the large building middle left.
The first golf in Tain was played on The Links. In 1890 the St Duthus Golf Club was formed and a proper course set out east of the Plaids Road. However, golf continued to be played on the links for a long time afterwards.

Golfers on The Links, Tain

1903

A very early photo of golf at Tain, presumably taken before the present course was constructed in 1890. Is this the old 3rd hole?

Golfing at Tain

1885

This was taken at the start of the Easter Ross Cycling Club's 12 mile race in 1889. The participants are wearing caps with club badges. The picture was taken at the rear of Urquhart's shoe shop in Tain High Street, and A. Urquhart won third prize.

Easter Ross Cycling Club

1889 (3 comments)