The Grand Match is organised by a volunteer committee.  The Grand Match fund is currently £6417 according to the last annual accounts.

Yes, it was a bit of a tease, but a serious one all the same. Anything is possible, is perhaps the point. When I looked at the options to provide a large number of sheets of ice reliably at a given time of year, the result was four rinks, with a suitable car park that can also be frozen and used, on occasion (see earlier). It has always amazed me how many people can be packed in at Balado for TitP, people who pay good money and enjoy the whole thing, and if there wasn't a profit at the end of it nothing will happen.

The serious bit is that the curling world will have to decide what they want and find the ways of doing it. Relying on Scottish weather for the odd Grand Match is not going to work for the future, but a reliable GM every year as a Festival of Curling is not such a stupid idea. As I said in an earlier post, the area of Kinross/Fife cannot support a large facility the year round, so keep looking at Edinburgh or Ratho. Wishful thinking will not provide a Grand Match, but serious effort and planning might well do. Provide sufficient sheets of ice (say 50) over two or three days, and everything becomes possible.

Your point of Nature Reserve is also highly valid, even without refrigeration, and of course the Lake of Menteith would have all the same problems.

Actually, Balado would be a fantastic venue for a Grand Match. It has a large, flat central area where 50 or more sheets could be laid out, with plenty space for parking coaches, thoooooosands of portaloos, and a motorway access very close by.

I think the best location, though, would be Strathclyde Loch. It is central, has good access, masses of parking, and a centre with toilets, cafe etc. The only issue might be keeping the neds off.

There are no neds in Strathclyde Park - my grand children use it  

From weather patterns it seems that the nearer the east coast the better chance of good black ice although from the lack of response from the hierarchy does it really matter?

The Lake of Menteith lies within the boundaries of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. I'm sure that will put a spanner in the works somewhere.....

 :)Thanks Sandy,  as you were involved in the volunteer committe at one time (I think!) are you able to give a very brief idea of how we spend this money on an event that has not taken place for 30 years...and enjoy your outdoor game tomorrow, no matter the dram size.  If it didn't involve that bloomimg ferry trip I'd come and watch.

Of no interest to anyone but my grandfather lived in Ritchie St in Millport and i have memories as a very small boy being taken to watch curling, very early 50's

Thanks Sandy, I'm not at all suggesting any financial malpractise and I'm certain everything is done correctly. The question has now arisen on how this money is spent and it would be good to be able to know how the expenses incurred in maintaining the GM committee are allocated