Monthly Archives: January 2026

Province Bonspiel 2026

The Midlothian Province Bonspiel took place on Monday 26th January, with Penicuik fielding 2 rinks instead of the usual 3, due to Stray Dogs not being able to get a team for the last game.

Dave Anderson’s rink of Ian Robertson, Martin Hobbs and Liz Anderson had an early match against a Mid Calder rink skipped by Ian Keron. Penicuik got off to a good start winning by 1 stone in three of the first four ends, but were unable to able to maintain the advantage and eventually lost 3-8.

In the afternoon, David Gillespie’s rink of Alex Moir, Jim Hume and Geoff Dawe took to the ice against a DAFS rink skipped by Graham Thomson. Penicuik led 3-2 after three ends, but DAFS came back and eventually took the match, 4-7.

The overall winners of the Province Bonspiel were SIAE Curling Club on equal score of +6 with Gogar Park Young Curlers, however SIAE winning by 11 ends to Gogar Park’s 10.

Full results can be seen on the Midlothian Curling Website, where you can also see that Penicuik are currently leading the Division 2 League Table with one match still to play. Fingers crossed for the last game.

Report by Jean Noble

District Medal Match

Penicuik Curling Club were drawn against Abdie Curling Club (a Team from Fife) for the Match on Saturday 24th January 2026. Two Teams were involved, the President’s Team (Iain Scott, Dave Carr, Margaret Carr, Karen Black) and the Vice President’s Team (Ian Robertson, Liz Anderson, Jean Noble, Jarrad Manesh)

Both Teams arrived early for a relaxed get together before stepping onto the Ice.

Once on the Ice, however, focus was required against two very strong all male Teams who adapted to the Ice very quickly and immediately put Penicuik under pressure.

The President’s Team lost a 4 at the first end and despite a 2 at the second end continued to be under pressure as Abdie took control with accurate draws and take-outs. By the 5th end Penicuik were trailing 9-2 and finding it difficult to respond. However, on the 6th end after good play from Penicuik and an excellent run back from Skip Iain, we managed to score a 4. This was followed in the final end by another strong end from Penicuik and a take-out from Skip Iain to gain a further 3. Final score 9 all!

The Vice President’s Team were also put under pressure from the first end and by end 4 were losing 5-0. They rallied in the 5th end getting well protected stones in the House and with great take-outs gained a 4. More tight play in ends 6 and 7 increased Abdie’s lead again to 7-4 but left time for a final 8th end with all to play for. All looked hopeful with Penicuik having stones in the house but despite tap ups Penicuik took only a 1. Final score 7-5. An overall win of 16-14 for Abdie Curling Club.

Both Teams retired upstairs afterwards for refreshments and pleasant conversation. The Abdie Team were full of praise for Curl Edinburgh and the condition of the Ice. Their President in his thanks to Penicuik mentioned that his Club had the edge on Penicuik as they were much younger having been founded in 1831 compared to Penicuik being founded in 1815.

A very enjoyable afternoon of Curling for both Teams, with the Abdie Team seeming reluctant to head home.

Report by Margaret Carr

DAFS Social Game

Penicuik hosted DAFS in our annual social game on Sunday 18th January 2026

The Penicuik Rink of Mick Kampff, Lorna Lettice, Dave Carr and Dave Anderson played against The DAFS rink of Ros Carnegie, Emma Garland, Stuart Carnegie and Jon Pickup.

 End one went with hammer with DAFS gaining 2 shots, Penicuik being unable to negotiate the conglomeration of stones around the front of the house. End two saw Penicuik getting one shot following an excellent angled raise from Dave Carr which was well buried in the centre of the house.

Penicuik stole a single to square the game in the 3rd and went ahead by 2 in the 4th end. DAFS squared the game in the 5th end and forged ahead by stealing 1 shot in the 6th. The 7th end was won by Penicuik with 2 shots and because the game was played a reasonable pace, we played an 8th end which went the way of DAFS with some very steady play which gained them 4 shots, winning the game by 9 shots to 6.

This was a very enjoyable encounter, played in the best of spirits. We adjourned to the bar for refreshments and a natter with our friends from DAFS.

Report by Dave Anderson

Oxenfoord 150th Anniversary Bonspiel

On Saturday 3rd January 2026, Oxenfoord President Jimmy Muir welcomed 56 players to Murrayfield, thanking them all for helping his Club celebrate this significant milestone in their history.

3 Penicuik players were invited to take part in Oxenfoord’s special day, so Alex Moir, Ian Robertson (subbing for Iain Scott) and Dave Anderson joined 53 players from various Clubs who have had associations with Oxenfoord over several years.

The visitors including old stagers Alister Lindsay and Andrew Hepburn whom many of us will know, and players from New Stones playing in their first year, were drawn with Oxenfoord players into 14 rinks to play 4 two end games during the afternoon.

At the conclusion of the afternoon, which was played in very good humour, we congregated in the clubroom for welcome refreshments and a very enjoyable meal.

The result of the competition was:

In 3rd place, on 11 shots scored was the rink skipped by Craig Brown (representing Oxenfoord) with our own Alex Moir, who’s making a habit of winning Bonspiel prizes, in his rink.

In 2nd place on 12 shots scored, was the rink of President Jimmy Muir.

In 1st place with 15 shots scored was the rink skipped by Robin Aitken from East Linton CC.

Thanks were conveyed to the ice staff and caterers who contributed to this successful day. Many thanks to Oxenfoord Curling Club for the invitation to Penicuik to participate in this special occasion.

Report by Dave Anderson