Bill Quarry and Andrew Lee share with us the Tiger McElrath steeplechase.
Tiger liked racing and was a keen supporter of Kelso Races as well as a follower of the local hunts. He was a boatman on the Tweed for most of his life, one of a unique and skilled group who entertain visiting fishers from all over the world, generously sharing their skills and teaching guests how to catch salmon and sea trout on the world’s premier Atlantic salmon river.
These men entertain around 45,000 rod/day anglers on the Tweed system annually and in the process bring in an estimated £25 million to the local economy. George was a skilled angler, the son of legendary Sprouston boatman, Bert McElrath and brother of Ronnie also a renowned Tweed ghillie with over 40 years experience. Family and friends will miss George at the races today, but are spared the pain of backing any of his tips!
The ‘winning owners’ prize for the race – ‘Leaping Salmon’, oil on canvas, Kate Grant.
Kate works from the ‘Wee Gallery’ her studio and gallery in The Knowes, Kelso. She knew Tiger well and is honoured that one of her paintings has been chosen as the prize for this event. Kate studied at Darlington College of Art. Having worked in many media she now concentrates on oils.
Joint Race Sponsors: D Lochart, G Kelly, M Hay, M Jackson, P Elbourne, M Bowie, P Harris, N Donaldson, J Braddock, J Owen, R Langford, W Quarry, A Lee, D Reeves.
