Sport fans in the north-east got a glimpse of one of the most famous trophies in international rugby at the weekend.
Residents of Torry Care Home were wowed on Saturday by the Calcutta Cup, which is being shown off around the country.
The iconic trophy, contested for by Scotland and England in the Six Nations every year, was brought to the home in honour of a servant of the game in the north-east.
Former president of Aberdeen Grammar Rugby Club Dave McDonald organised the visit.
Mr McDonald lost his first leg in a freak sports accident, and moved into Torry Care Home last year after having his second amputated following medical difficulties.
He said: “A few months ago there was an e-mail from Murrayfield saying the cup was going on tour to any clubs that were interested.
“The kids, adults and residents that all attended were all delighted, and the guy from the Scottish Rugby Union was happy as well, so it was a real success.
“It was really good for the residents.
“One of the older ladies came down and told us that her husband used to love the rugby, and she loved all the rugby guys – she had a great big smile on her face, so it must have brought back some good memories.
“The other ladies all said they always preferred the rugby guys over the football players – she said the rugby players were real men, not like these football players who fall down with a broken eyelash.”
The cup was already Aberdeen-bound for an appearance at Dyce RFC’s annual awards dinner.
It returned north of the border with the Scotland team after a dramatic 38-38 final score at Twickenham back in March.
The holder from the previous year retains the trophy in the rare case of a draw and that was Gregor Townsend’s men after the 25-13 victory at Murrayfield last year.
It was a first time Scotland had returned from Twickenham with the trophy since 1984.
The original cup, first played for 1879, was donated to the English Rugby Football Union by a club in Calcutta after it folded.
It was formed from the melted-down silver rupees of the club’s remaining bank balance.
Indian craftsman engraved the gorgeous 18-inch tall trophy, which has three silver king cobras for handles and an ornate elephant on the domed lid.
A replica trophy is now used as the original has become too fragile.​
