Herries Maxwell History (Men’s Tours, Scotland & USA)

The Herries Maxwell trophy is played between Scotland and the USA. Touring parties travel to play for the trophy on a 10-year cycle. The last tour was in 2017 when the Scots toured the USA and the USA retained the trophy.

Commander Herries-Maxwell was President of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club in the year 1950 – 1951. He had travelled out to the USA with some fellow Scots Tourists twice during 1949 (1950-51 Annual – pp. 63-64). His photograph, in full Naval uniform, is shown at the beginning of the same Annual. Although it does not state it in so many words, it is assumed that, having in mind fond memories of these visits, and the generosity shown by the Americans to the Scots, together with the Royal Club’s decision to establish a permanent Tour-pattern, he decided to have a Trophy especially created for this Tour and generously donated same to the Royal Club.

A picture of the Trophy he donated to mark the commencement, in 1952, of exchange Tours between Scotland and the USA, is in the 1951/52 Annual – pp. 19. The first Tour took place with the USA travelling to Scotland in January, 1952. The Royal Club President of the time was David M. Hutcheon and it is recorded in the Annual that King George VI died during the Tour – the only sad note.

The undernoted shows a brief history of each tour with the scores (where given in the appropriate Annuals).