The tour was established in 1979 by the 3rd team at Corstorphine after club member Frank Mallen stumbled across the ground in Keswick and thought it would be a good place to tour.... and has continued to flourish ever since. Current tour organiser, Kevin West, said “It’s always a popular event but given it’s the Ruby anniversary of the tour the committee decided not to limit numbers. Players come from far and wide to join the tour and this year we even had someone travel from Sydney to be on it. So it was a big task to coordinate but we took 80 folk. We had a few original tourists so the age ranges on tour were from 18 year olds to gents in their 70’s - it was a real mix of youth and experience.”

“The tour is steeped in rugby tradition and really focuses on the best bits rugby has to offer... that it’s a sport for all abilities and that no matter what goes on the pitch isn’t taken off it. This has meant some genuine lifelong cross border friendships have been made over the years. There is that Scotland v England edge to things as well so there are some good friendly rivalries going on. The Corwick Trophy is our own version of the Calcutta cup”

“We’ve been brought up in a family club and those rugby values are centric to not only the club but also the tour. It’s something Keswick value as well and we really are made to feel welcome every time we step in to Davidson Park. Although the tour itself only lasts Saturday morning to Sunday night it packs a lot in over that time. A friendly fixture against a local Lake District side and the regular fixture between Keswick & Corstorphine for the Corwick Trophy... and of course there’s a few drinks in between times to keep us refreshed along with some traditional tour related games. Our latest addition of going to ‘Church’ is quickly becoming a favourite. After the game everyone piles into the stand and sings some classic rugby songs and a wee dram is raised to those no longer with us. It was reported this year that we were heard singing in the next village 3 miles away!”

Fellow tour organiser Marc Maiden commented “We had been racking our brains to think of the best way to celebrate the 40th Tour as it’s some achievement. There can’t be many club teams out there who can boast such a long term cross border relationship. We managed to come up with something special and for the first time, both teams combined to form Corwick RFC.”

The combined clubs played a friendly against their friends at Penrith RFC. Kit suppliers Raging Bull sponsored the event by supplying them with special edition Corwick RFC jerseys. Nigel Beaty at Raging Bull said “We’re delighted to support these two great clubs on their 40th Anniversary and of course to support the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which is very close to our hearts too.”

In true spirit of the tour the clubs also teamed together to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Money was raised at the Anniversary dinner and the special edition Raging Bull jerseys were auctioned off after the game against Penrith after the clubs received a video message of support from the great man himself, Doddie Weir. The clubs raised in excess of £4000 with some further donations still coming in.

Keswick stalwart, Richard Atkinson, was amazed at what the two clubs have achieved
“It’s a staggering amount which has really surprised us all. I’ve been involved in the tour from a Keswick perspective since the early 80’s and I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to mark the 40th tour by helping big Doddie with his foundation. It’s as big a highlight in our clubs calendar as it is in Corstorphine’s. It’s always a pleasure to welcome the Corstorphine boys to Keswick and we hope to do so for many more years to come!”