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

Mid Bonspiel 25

Our bonspiel was very well attended, with an impressive array of festive attire on display and a heroic quantity of sweeties consumed. The games ran almost without a hitch (we shall draw a discreet veil over the incident known only as “hammergate”).

Congratulations to our trophy winners: Jean Noble (Skip), Liz Anderson and Dave Carr. Commiserations—but also admiration—for Christine Hope (Skip), Geoff Dawe, Roger Scott and Dave Anderson, who proudly carried off the booby prize.

Play was followed by a most welcome feast of soup, sandwiches and mince pies, all generously washed down with tea and coffee, bringing a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon to a close—and almost the end of this half of the season.

Merry Christmas to everyone, and we look forward to welcoming you all back in the New Year.

The Social Committee 🎄🥌

Rink A Louise Clapperton, Jarrad Manesh, Ian Matheson, Kyle Baptie

Rink B Jean Noble, Liz Anderson, Dave Carr

Rink C Christine Hope, Geoff Dawe, Roger Scott, DaveAnderson

Rink D Karen Black, Alex Moir, Debbie Belcher, Alan McDonald

Rink E Lesley Broadwood, Graeme Cassie. Monica Matheson, Iain Scott

Rink F Jean Cassie, Saho Arakawa, Paul Clapperton, Jim Ramsay

Rink G Joanna Wallace, Margaret Carr, Mick Kampff, Ian Robertson

Rink H Pam Ramsay, Jenny Wray, Jim Hume, David Gillespie

POINTS Competition 2025/26

Played on 30th November, 2025

Ten members entered this year’s competition where eight disciplines were played. As you will see from the table below Jean, Iain M, Jim R and Craig scored maximum points in The Striking. Scores of a full 4 points were also recorded by Graeme in The Chap & Lie and Jim H and Jim R in Chipping the Winner. It was Jim R’s score in The Chap & Lie that sealed the win. Alex and Craig had been in contention throughout and took 2nd and 3rd respectively. Stick play (Cues) were in play by three members and proved successful for Jim Hume who achieved the highest score for a Lead or 2nd. Well done to Saho for entering and playing better than her final score suggested! This season we are only holding one Points competition because of low entry numbers. If more members come forward next season, we may be able to run a second competition again.

Thanks (and well played) to Jean Noble for sponsoring the event and for buying all players a well deserved refreshment after the game.

STRANRAER WEEKEND NOV 2025

Report by Jean Cassie

🌟 Stranraer Weekend – 21st to 23rd November 🌟

Ten intrepid Penicuik Curling Club members packed their bags (and possibly their sense of adventure) and headed for Stranraer for the Dalrymple Cup Qualifier weekend. The nine players—Jim & Pam Ramsay, Graeme & Jean Cassie, David Gillespie, Kirsty McWilliam, Karen Black, Jarrad Manesh, and Paul Clapperton—were kept in line and loudly cheered on by the ever-enthusiastic Barbara Gillespie.

🥌 The Teams

Penicuik 1:
David, Kirsty, Pam, Paul and Jarrad, rotating players across their three games with military precision (well… curling precision).

Penicuik 2:
Jim, Karen, Graeme and Jean, also taking on three games and proving a tough unit to crack.

🌍 Who We Faced

Over the weekend we took on a wonderfully mixed bag of opponents—including teams from Norway, Lithuania, andSorn (Ayrshire) . The competition was fierce, the games were tight, and every match brought its own wee bit of drama.

Penicuik 2 came heartbreakingly close to a semi-final place, missing out by just one end. So close you could practically hear the collective sigh echoing across the ice! We have succeeded in earning a runner up place in the March competition.

🏨 Hospitality at Its Finest

The North West Castle Hotel spoiled us rotten. We enjoyed great food, comfy surroundings, and some of the best ice you could wish for. On Saturday night, they even hosted a short  curling competition—complete with live music—and the festivities rolled on into the small hours. (Some may have curled better on Saturday night than Saturday morning…) https://youtu.be/cVuIqXjBg6s?si=p4Q4C-Gb6eMTfH5g is a link to a Video produced by Graeme Cassie.

Spectators just couldn’t believe the skills they were witnessing!

🎉 Final Thoughts

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend packed with laughter, competition, and great company. If you’ve never tried one of these events, get yourself signed up the next time!—seriously, you’re missing out.

A huge thank-you to Kirsty for organising the entry and keeping everyone on track throughout the weekend. We couldn’t have asked for a better team shepherd!

SWAN TROPHY 2025/26

Report by Dave Anderson

Craig Brown with Jim Hume, Tom Griffin and Alex Moir and Dave Anderson with AlisterMcDonald, Ian Robertson and Liz Anderson took to the ice on Thursday 20th November to facetwo Midcalder rinks in the first round of the annual Swan Trophy. This trophy took its name from John Swan & Sons, livestock auctioneers who sponsored the event for many years.

It is a double rink competition with aggregate scores determining the outcome of the games

Penicuik rinks each lost 1 shot in the first end, Craig’s rink then lost a 4 in the second but got 1back in the 3rd. Meanwhile, Dave’s rink lost singles in ends 2 and 3 but came back to win singles in ends 4,5 and 6. Craig’s next three ends went with the hammer with Penicuik gaining 1 shot and Midcalder gaining 2, so after 6 ends the aggregate score was Penicuik 5 -10 Midcalder.

Then the wheels came off for Dave’s rink losing a 6 in end 7 and 3 in the final end making their score, Penicuik 3 – 13 Midcalder. Craig won a single in their final end making their score Penicuik 3 – 7 Midclader

The overall score was Penicuik 6 – 20 Midcalder. The games were played in good spirits and we wish Midcalder good luck in the next round.

HURLEY COMPETITION 2025/26 COMPLETE

Incase you did not see the results of the games posted on the Penicuik Curling Club website, we can reveal that the winning rink competed and completed all games with recorded wins.

The Hurley, which is sponsored by Dave and Margaret Carr is the first main competition of the season. It is a unique competition on the Penicuik calendar as it comprises of mini leagues where the winners of each league play the runners up in the opposite league in a knock-out to determine who plays in the final.

The final to find the winner was on November 7th between team Scott and team Ramsay. The ice favoured team Ramsay who had a 10-1 win and will be presented their medals at prize giving at the end of the season.

Team Scott included Iain Scott, Stuart Blackwood, Alister McDonald and Monica Matheson. Team Ramsay was listed as Jim Ramsay, Jim Hume, Ton Griffin and Louise Clapperton with thanks to Saho Arakawa for subbing in the final.

A full list of all results is published on the Hurley Page.

INDOOR GRAND MATCH 2025

The Indoor Grand Match is an event which was inspired by the traditional Grand Matches which in the past took place on frozen lochs with the last Outdoor Grand Match taking place in 1979 at the Lake of Menteith.   Penicuik Curling Club has the honour of hosting the inaugural Grand Match which took place at the High Pond in Penicuik Estate in 1847.  

The event is a competition between the North of Scotland and the South of Scotland (with an imaginary line drawn between the river forth and the river Clyde).  It started in 2000 and usually takes place every 5 years but had to be cancelled in 2020 due to Covid. This year’s Competition brought together 1560 Curlers from 281 clubs competing in 390 teams. It stands as one of the largest single day participation sporting events in the country.  

For the Penicuik members fortunate enough to be playing in such a special event it was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Curlers both on and off the ice.  Penicuik 2 travelled to Kinross to play against Kinross Ladies 1.  The Team was Skipped by David Gillespie, Margaret Carr 3, David Carr 2 and Alex Moir Lead. 

We received a very warm welcome from the Kinross Club and after the customary coffee and bacon roll we were piped on to the ice to start play at 10a.m. Play started well with a 2 at the first end and continued to score at each end leading 6-0 at end 4 before pausing for a traditional dram. Back on the ice we continued to score at each end with Kinross Ladies taking a 1 at the final end to make the final score Penicuik 8 Kinross 1.

After play we retired upstairs and after raising a glass to our opponents enjoyed a meal in good company.  All in all a day we will all remember. 

Penicuik 1 will also remember the game at Curl Aberdeen against our Northern opponents from Bearsden Skiing Club, Glasgow.  The score was not as impressive as team 2 but was respectable.  Team 1 arrived in good time to enjoy an excellent lunch with our opposition.

The Aberdeen Ice proved tricky for both teams in the opening ends.  The ice was much heavier than our usual Murrayfield speeds.  The first end was a case of whoever was in the house won the end.  That was Bearsden with a 3.  Penicuik got on the board in end 2 with a 2.  The 3rd and 4th end did not go Penicuik’s way where a 3 and 4 were given to the opposition.  As often happens after Broom Stacking (5th End) the game changed. Penicuik’s 4 (Iain Scott, Stuart Blackwood, Graeme Cassie and Jim Ramsay) took control of the game by winning all 4 Ends but unfortunately were left with 2 short for a Peel. Final score Bearsden 10 (3 Ends), Penicuik 8 (5 Ends). 

After game drinks and a drive home to discuss what should have been.

Report by Margaret Carr and Jim Ramsay