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.
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.
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.
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.
The team Draw for this very special event has now been published on the Scottish Curling website. Penicuik Curling Club (playing for the South) have entered 2 teams with both drawn to play away from home.
Penicuik 1 will travel to Aberdeen to compete against Bearsden Ski Club 1 and Penicuik 2 will travel to Kinross to play Kinross Ladies 1
The Indoor Grand Match is returning after a ten-year break and, with over 250 clubs having entered and around 1,500 curlers from across Scotland taking part, this is likely to be a spectacular curling event. The South will be hoping to repeat their win of 2015, the last time this event took place.
We wish all the players the best of games and hope they enjoy the competition and camaraderie on what is guaranteed to be a very special day.
The annual Hamish Tait Bonspiel event took place on Sunday 8th December with Penicuik represented by Skip Keith Morris supported by Ian Robertson, Jean Noble and Caroline Stoddart, one of our newer members.
Penicuik were drawn against Chartered Surveyors (skip Tom Mitchell) for their first 2 ends and this proved to be very close contest, sadly resulting in a loss to Penicuik by 1 stone at each end (-2). This was hardly surprising with Craig Brown drafted in at short notice as super-sub for the opposition team.
Another very close game next against Merchiston (skip John Addinall), resulting in a loss by 1 stone, but Keith and his rink rallied in the following end to take a 3 leaving them with net zero after 4 ends. Meanwhile Watsonians (skip Frank Ross) were firing on all cylinders coming out 4 up in their match against Merchiston, before taking another 4 from Chartered Surveyors in the next round, giving a score of +8 after four games.
Next up for the leaders was Penicuik who fared little better, losing a 2 in the 5th end, with the last result going to a measure which unfortunately Penicuik lost. On the other sheet Merchiston took a 1 and then a 3 in their match against Chartered Surveyors.
So, after an exciting afternoon played in the best traditions of curling fellowship, the Watsonians team of F. Ross C. Broadwood E. Lean and D. Lean came out clear winners on +11 ending the recent run of wins by Chartered Surveyors who finished on -6. Also rans were Merchiston on -2 and Penicuik on -3.
After refreshments and chat in the Clubhouse, Martin reflected on the history of the event and Hamish’s contribution to curling for all the participating Clubs during the 100 years of his life. Martin then presented the impressive Hamish Tait Trophy to Frank who graciously accepted on behalf of his team, before thanking Penicuik for once again organising the event.
Craig Brown was on the go early on a sunny Saturday, 27th May, and with his team of helpers was soon ready for some Street Curling fun at Penicuik in the Park.
The Street Rink and banner for Penicuik Curling Club didn’t take long to attract interest, and with Geoff Dawe and David Ballantyne on the brushes, and Jim Ramsay organising the queue the fun was soon in full flow.
A practice shot was permitted, then down to the serious competition – with all age groups willing to give it a go from the very young to parents and grandparents, some keen matches were played. Youngster were rewarded with a sticker for their efforts. There was also the opportunity, for those who could lift them, to guess the weight of a couple of real curling stones with the prize being a free Try Curling Session for two at Murrayfield Curling Rink.
Busy Day for Craig and his teamPotential Champions at Play
The point of the exercise was of course to raise the profile of our Club locally, and hopefully encourage some new members. Well done to Craig, Geoff, Jim and David for their hard work on the day.
The Club’s Annual Prize Giving Dinner took place on Saturday 22nd April with 45 members and family attending. The staff at Glencorse Golf Club had ensured that the tables were beautifully set, with Liz Anderson providing colourful spring flower arrangements as a final touch. Trophies and medals were polished and sparkling, ready for presentation. This year, there was also going to be a Raffle with a wide assortment of prizes donated by the Committee. Geoff Dawe oversaw the ticket sales and was very adept at encouraging members to dip into their pockets for cash.
With everyone seated, Club President Iain Scott formally welcomed attendees and read out a note of apology and best wishes from our Patron, Sir Robert Clerk who along with his wife Lady Faye were unable to attend this year due to a prior engagement. Iain commented on the season’s successes and reflected on the sad loss of Ronnie Hope at around this time last year, before raising a toast to his memory. He also acknowledged Ronnie and Jim Ramsay’s contribution to the recent Paul Murton TV programme featuring outdoor curling at Penicuik Estate. Jean Lennie was invited to recite the Curlers Grace, before guests settled down to a delicious meal prepared by the Billy and the catering staff at the Golf Club.
With Dinner over the presentations were due to start, but firstly Iain called on Janette Lambie to step forward to collect her 50 Year Medal, delayed from last year – see separate report. Iain also acknowledged all the hard work by Craig Brown’s Social Committee and others in organising and preparing for the Dinner.
So, to business – to much cheering and applause, the various winners were presented starting with the Bonspiels and culminating with the Kettle Trophy retained by Dave Anderson as Skip, along with Kirsty McWilliam, Andy Cameron and Graeme Cassie, the last two unknown to Dave at the start of the season. Kirsty, winning Skip in the Thirds Competition, had been unable to attend the Dinner, and would probably have needed a Security Van to transport her array of Trophies home. The Outdoor Trophy won by Jim Ramsay’s rink, and a new Trophy donated by David Gillespie for the best Points score from a Lead or Second were among those presented.
The biggest cheer of the night however was reserved for the ladies who had won and retained the Challenge Crook, undoubtedly seasoned curlers but unlikely to be invited on Britain’s Got Talent for their singing ability. Roger Scott, still recovering from the shock of his team’s defeat commented on the unerring focus of Margaret’s rink in sticking to their task.
There are lots more photos in the gallery of the various prize winners.
With the formalities over, David Gillespie proposed a final vote of thanks, guests were invited to collect their Raffle prizes and with time left Craig set up the floor for a ‘Nearest the Bottle’ competition eventually won by Gary Clapperton.
All in all, a great evening to finish off the curling season.
At the Annual Dinner of Penicuik Curling Club, and after a delay of a year, the opportunity was taken to acknowledge a major milestone for Janette Lambie when she was presented with her 50 year Medal by Club President Iain Scott, who gave a brief history of Janette’s curling achievements.
Janette was first persuaded by Christine and Douglas Hall to join what was then Penicuik Ladies in September 1972. At that time Hamish Tait took her under his wing and with his encouragement she was soon making an impact, winning the Pairs Competition with Douglas quite early in her curling career. This competition became a favourite for Janette and she won again with Martin Brown in 1984-85 and also John Glidden in 2011-12.
With husband Andrew also joining Penicuik in 1976, curling became a big part of the couple’s life, and as well as playing regularly in competitions Janette has served both on the PCC Social Committee and as Club Treasurer for a number of years.
The President recalled in his address how Janette was not shy in giving her Skip advice or querying shot selection, and this approach must have been successful as Janette finished off this season in the winning Closing Bonspiel team skipped by Iain himself.
Janette’s achievement in reaching her now 50+ years membership was acknowledged by all those present as she was formally presented with her medal and a lovely bouquet of flowers.
An emotional Janette receiving her medal from the Club President
Penicuik Curling Club 