Sorn Races

The curling club was formed by Mr Farquar-Gray of Gilmilnscroft in 1795 , at the Greenfoot Inn, opposite the new cemetery. The Covenantor's Flag, old drum and halbert, presently kept at Sorn Castle for safe keeping, were presented to the Sorn Curling Club by Farquhar-Gray of Gilmilnscroft, in 1798. See page 22 of record book 1, for the original documentation.

The story goes, that in 1679, after hearing of the Dragoons at Drumclog, the then Mr Farquhar-Gray left Gilmilnscroft, beating the drum, and collecting followers all the way to Drumclog. The dragoons were defeated at The Battle of Drumclog, and Farquhar-Gray returned to Sorn with the drum and Halbert.
(Story - Chris Lees, related to him by the late Jimmy Gibson of Woodlea, Sorn)

Yet the club records clearly state the set of colours as the flag was known as, and the drum were made in 1689!

Photo Archie Templeton, Low Drumclog Photo - ayrshirehistory.com
The site of the battle of Drumclog, as it was before 1905
Right: The flag which hangs on the wall in Sorn Castle

The drum and halbert were brought out for the Sorn Races in years gone by.
The most recent time the halbert and drum have been used, was as part of the commemorative display for the 150th anniversary of Sorn primary School, in September 2001 at a display in the village hall.

An article appeared in the book "Sorn Parish: Its History and Associations" by Helen J. Steven, 1898, printed by Dunlop and Drennan, Kilmarnock, about the Sorn Races. An excellent poem is also included.

Sorn Races
A hundred and fifty years ago an annual race was instituted at the village of Sorn, and although the function has lost in importance, it is continued to this day. Long ago, on its occurrence in the month of March, traders came from far and wide, and buying and selling went on to a considerable extent. It was looked upon as a sort of fair in the district and was the only annual re-union of the farmers of the parish. Now it is almost, or quite, a farce. For the last few years the chief competitor in the race has been the pigman with his horse from Kilmarnock. After bringing the pigs, the horse is taken from the cart and sometimes gives a good account of itself on the course. This function is called the "big race." On the following day the "wee race " takes place, in which the children of the village and neighbourhood take part. There is always great interest manifested in the "wee race," and a collection is made in the villages for prizes. An ancient drum, said to have been used at Drumclog, but about which some people are a trifle skeptical, is in the hands of the Race Committee. It was played for sixty years at the two races by Blackey Reid, the last of the weavers. The following is a characteristic description of Sorn Race, written by Mr. Wm. Aitken, formerly of Catrine, now Inspector on the railway, Greenock :-
The first Sorn Race I e'er was at, I still can min' it weel,
It cheers my heart, the thocht o't yet, and mak's me younger feel
And weel the clachan callans kent that this day was in store
No ae broon bawbee had we spent for many a day before.
And time seemed sweart tae slip away- no ane o' us was richt
We couldna eat oor meat by day, nor tak' oor sleep at nicht;
We smiled, and sae did aulder fools, and wore a cheery face,
Instead o' gangin to the schules, we'd all gang to the Race.

And when the schule-clock hauns drew near the magic 'our 0' twa
Oot cam the ancient Halberdier, the Committee and a';
"Wee Jamie" lookin' lairge as life, wi' swallow-tail and lum,
"Co " threshin' at it wi' the fife, and "Blackey" wi' the drum
And foremost 'mong the ither folk who followed up the hill,
Was " Moleman Miles" and "Hedger Jock," and hamely "Butcher Will,"
And burly "Farmer Rab" sae big, and mony a weel-kenn't face,
A' makin' for the "Timmer Brig" tae see the famous Race.

The horses were a'body's talk-some five were entered in,
The first o' which could scarcely walk, the next yin couldna rin
The third was no like yin wad fag, but then 'twas nearly blin'
The fourth yin was a sorry nag-a bag o' banes an' skin
The fifth, though like a racin' beast, rode by a pigman chiel,
Wad no dae ought but jump and re'ist, and caper through the fiel';
A mair unlikely lookin' set could hardly shown their face,
Yet oot the five 'twas thocht we'd get a fairish kind 0' Race.

When tae the scratch at length they cam', nae time ava was lost-
To start them "Blackey" beat the drum, while "Jamie" stood the post-
And sic a race ye ne'er did see, though yin and a' did feats,
For out the five auld horses, we had hauf-a-dizzen heats;
Sic riders, tae, they wadna need tae been the least thing frail-
Some tumbled owre the horse's heid, and some fell owre the tail;
Ae horse dang owre a sweetie stan' erected near the place;
'Twas liker eatin' beans and bran than rinnin' at a Race.

Back tae the town we a' came down as sune's the race was by,
When, though the nicht was queer and wat, some folks were queer and dry;
And siccan horrid stuffs they selt's for drink that afternin,
'Twad gur'd a vera grunstane melt, and burn'd a hole in whin
Yet some sae quick their cash did spen'-while rows got unca rife-
That thrippence wad that nicht ere ten ha'e almost saved a life;
And even when next day was come it didna men' the case;
It took till that day week wi' some, tae finish up the Race.