The Kirkcudbright Incorporated Trades held a shoot for the ancient Siller Gun and Siller Arrow to celebrate the recent Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the birth of Prince Louis ,on Friday night.
A large turnout of Deacons and Journeymen took part in a keenly contested competition. History was made with Heather Logan being the first female competitor in the history of the competition.
The Siller Gun is thought to be the oldest sporting trophy still competed for in the UK, possibly in the world. It was presented to Sir Thomas McLellan of Bombie, Provost of Kirkcudbright in 1587 by King James 1V of Scotland. It was to be shot for occasionally to accustom local men in the use of guns which were superseding bows and arrows in warfare and defence.
The Siller Arrow was presented by William Johnston, Merchant, of Kirkcudbright in 1838 to be competed for by apprentices from the Incorporated Trades. The Siller Arrow is now presented to the runner up in the competition.
The trophies are competed for to mark any notable events in the Royal Family and her Majesty the Queen is informed of the outcome of the competition.The only time the trophies were competed for to celebrate a commoner was in January 1859 to celebrate the centenary of Robert Burns birth.
Both trophies are on public display in the Stewartry Museum.
