Scotland’s first world curling champion Chuck Hay, 87

Chuck Hay, who was credited with Scotland’s prominence at the elite level of curling, has died at the age of 87.

In recent times, almost every major world curling tournament has seen a Scottish team on the victory podium emphasising the country is a major force in the sport which it first created.

Much of this present day prominence can be attributed to Mr Hay after he and his Perth-based rink were the first Scots to win the world championship in 1967.

After that victory, Mr Hay helped nurture and promote the sport to the point where curling is now a recognised Olympic event and Scottish teams feature in all the top competitions.

He won his first curling tournament in 1956, following which he assembled his team of John Bryden, Alan Glen and David Howie, which gained multiple honours – including the world title.

The rink picked up the Scottish championship in 1963, which they went on to win another four times in the 1960s.

After his playing career came to an end Mr Hay threw himself into coaching the next generation of curlers.

As national coach he proved his ability with success in the world junior championships awarded first to Andrew McQuiston and then to Peter Wilson.

This was followed in the 1980s with European Championship gold medals going to a rink including his sons Mike and David.

In 1991 David stood on top of the podium after his team won the World Championship – the first Scot to do so since his father.

Such was his standing in the sport he also became the Royal Caledonian Curling Club representative on the World Curling Federation.

As his work promoting curling was recognised, he was awarded honours reflecting his efforts, including an MBE in 1977.

As a youngster, he cycled the three miles from the family farm to his primary school at Rhynd.

His journey doubled as he moved up to Perth Academy.

A star at Perthshire Rugby Club, his prowess in the scrum saw him selected to play for the North Midlands team where one of his colleagues was Dave Rollo, who went on to play for Scotland.

Mr Hay was later made an honorary president of the club.

Latterly, he and his wife Norah toured Australia, South Africa and Chile as members of the UK Seniors Golfers’ Society.

Often these events would be linked to contacts originally made in the curling world.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Dewars Centre in Perth from 11.30am on Saturday August 26.

Chuck Hay.