The Bute curlers, who had won the trophy six days before in a one-rink-a-side match on Cumbrae, went into battle with two full rinks in perfect conditions to bring down the curtain on the first spell of curling action on Bute since the loch last froze over in December 1995.

Happily, the previous day's decision by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, which oversees the game in Scotland, to cancel a planned 'grand match' at the Lake of Menteith over health and safety fears had no impact on the action on Bute.

At the close of the competitive action, which took place courtesy of Tom and Ann McMillan of Eskechraggan farm, Millport had finished one of the two games three shots up, while Bute enjoyed a similar advantage in the other game.

The dead-heat meant that the efforts of Donald Kinnear, Donnie MacLeod and Alec Robertson in winning back the trophy in that match in Millport on January 4 were enough to keep Bute's hands on the prize.

But the day was about a lot more than a competitive curling match. For many of those who headed to the loch, it was as much about making the most of an all-too-rare occasion - for no-one knows when it might happen again.

Friendly games among regular and occasional curlers continued throughout the afternoon, while several novices tried their hand at 'the roaring game'. Others just took the opportunity to play or skate on ice which had been measured to a depth of five inches earlier in the week and was estimated to be at least a couple of inches deeper than that on Saturday morning.

Some simply chose to watch or to take advantage of the hospitality offered by members of the local club, by consuming a delicious burger or a warming Rusty Nail or two to keep out the biting cold.

"It's been a real winter wonderland," Bute Curling Club president Donnie MacLeod told us afterwards.

"The kids enjoyed the ice as much as the adults and there was an excellent atmosphere - and with any luck it'll maybe encourage a few new players to take up the game.

"The social side of the game was much in evidence, which meant the cup itself was almost of secondary importance - the friendship between the Bute and Millport clubs goes back many years and we've always had an excellent relationship.

"This is only the fifth or sixth time we've managed to play for the Dumfries Cup outdoors and I was really delighted to see the number of people who came along."

Sadly, plans for further outdoor curling action this week were thwarted as mild temperatures took hold on Bute from Monday onwards - leaving islanders wondering just when the next 'big freeze' might give them the chance to curl on the Greenan Loch again.