Caitch

Caitch is a gemme whaur raquettes an wechty baws is uised, it is played inby agin waws an sklentin ruifs. Caitch is kent as "real tennis" in Ingland. The warld's auldest caitchpule is at Fawkland in Fife, an wis biggit in 1539 bi James V in the Pailace gairden.

History

The gemme stertit wi Alexander III (1249-86) an wis like as no feshed frae Fraunce. Lang-syne there wis caitchpules in Saunt Andras, Perth, Edinburgh an Stirlin.

James VI scrieved in 1598 Basilicon Doron for his auld son, Prince Henry (eild 4): "...the exercises that I uolde haue you to use (althoch but moderatlie not making a crafte of thaime) are rinning, leaping, urestling, fensing, dansing & playing at the cache."

The gemme kythes in The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner bi James Hogg in 1824.

The day

The gemme is played yet at Fawkland Pailace bi fowk frae a wee club.

Fawkland Pailace jeu quarré caitchpule wi local wordy Bob Hammond