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

Try Curling with Penicuik

2nd November, 25 we held a Try Curling with Penicuik Day at Murrayfield. Thanks to Saho for introducing Miriam and Colin, Dave C for bringing Colin and Mary and Graeme transporting Ally. We also enjoyed the company of Ian, Kirsty and Sarah. After intense training from David G and myself all 8 newcomers had a couple of ends which resulted in a 2-2 Peel. Everyone enjoyed the experience and will hopefully take a positive path in Curling. The event was oversubscribed and not all applicants could be accommodated, so if you know of anyone who might be a Penicuik member of the future, please let me know in order for another Try session to be arranged. Jim.

37 = 50

37 Club Celebrate 50 Years

President Margaret Carr, Kirsty McWilliam, Graeme Cassie and Jim Ramsay represented Penicuik Curling Club at the Bonspiel organised to celebrate 50 Years of The 37 Club.  Curling Clubs from Inverness and Dalgety Bay were joined by local teams to play an eight end game.  

Penicuik were drawn against Dafs, Gogar, Currie & Balerno and 37 Club 2 to play 2 ends against each other.

After Tea and Scones, we took to the Ice against 37 Club where things looked promising when we won both ends.  Gogar were next in our sights but they took a 3 in the first end while we ended with a 2 in the second.  Half way through and we were 2 ends up and even on points.  C&B ladies took a 4 against us in the first end.  We tried hard for what would have been a small win in the second end but they stole a 1.  Into the final challenge, this time against Dafs.  More low scores here with Dafs taking an end and Penicuik doing the same scoring only 1 each.

Before leaving the ice, all competitors were photographed when they created a 50 formation.

At the presentation we learned that we were only 18 behind the winners (Currie & Balerno) who scored +17.  The ladies team from C & B were presented with a specially labeled bottle of Malt each, while all guests received a runner up gift of the same miniature 37 Club Malt.   

It was the turn of 37 Club to receive a gift to mark their half century.  Margaret thanked our hosts for the invitation and congratulated them on reaching 50 and presented them with a memorial clock.

A NEW SEASON BEGINS

A Busy First Week For Club Members

Our 2025/26 has got off to a flying start with a busy opening weekend where Penicuik players entered the annual Swing & Sweep Challenge. Thanks to Dave Carr for his report.

ECC’s Annual Swing and Sweep competition took place on Sunday 5th October. 9 holes of golf (Texas Scramble) at Carrick Knowe golf course were followed by 2no  3 end games at Murrayfield.
Penicuik were represented by Liz Anderson, Jan Stuart, Ian Robertson and Dave Carr. We scored a respectable half round of 38. All 4 contributed well and had 2 counting drives by the 8th. The highlight being a birdie 3 at the last (congratulations to Ian, who played all 3 shots).
In the curling we managed to win 3 of our 6 ends (including one against Colin Campbell’s hot shot team).
The competition was completed with a draw shot challenge. The least said about this the better.
After the curling, we went upstairs for a good meal and chat, followed by the presentation of the trophy.
The winners were the young team from Mid Calder. (Our 1 end v Colin C, prevented them from winning).
This was an excellent afternoon and we hope that Penicuik will enter a team again, next season.

Then came our Opening Bonspiel, which for some reason was played with fewer members than usual, however speaking to those who participated it was a good practice for the season ahead.

Louise Clapperton has supplied this report.

The season got off to a great start on 4th October when 16 curlers took to the ice for our Opening Bonspiel. 

A lot of fun was had and lots of friendly rivalry on ice and waking up those curling muscles ready for the season ahead. 

It was all to play for until end 5 when Reg Dunbar’s team streaked ahead and took the winners prize.  

The receiver of the Little Mermaid Booby prize went to the team led by Ian Robertson

The event is supported by Sir Robert Clerk and Lady Faye, who couldn’t be with us to present the prizes.  In their absence the presentation was done by our Vice President Jean Noble.

Winning team: Reg Dunbar, Alex Moir, Alister McDonald, Joanna Wallace

Midweek saw the first games in The Hurley played with a win for team Scott over team Anderson and team Ramsay having success over 8 Ends against team Robertson.  At the after game get together upstairs, Medals, Wine and Glasses were presented to Heather Harpur and Jim Hume for their efforts in securing The Kettle for team Scott last season.

To round off Penicuik’s first week, Kirsty McWilliam organised a Try Doubles fixture.  14 members came along for coaching in the game.  The rules did confuse a few members to begin with but with Kirsty’s guidance everyone soon got into the spirit.  If suitable ice can be found, a second trial event may be held in the second half of the season. If there had been a trophy, Ian Robertson and Jean Noble would have carried it away but they made do with Chocolates.

Indoor Grand Match

Saturday,  15th November 2025

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.

EDINBURGH CURLING CLUB UPDATED RULES 2025/26

EDINBURGH CURLING CLUB COMPETITION RULES
Updated for Season 2025-26
For all competitions RCCC rules apply unless specifically modified below.
Except for Pairs and Half Century League the following local amendments to RCCC rules apply:

  • All games will be played to a bell, with a maximum of eight ends to be played.
  • Unlimited substitutes are allowed and games should only be rearranged as a last resort. (Note: MCL cancellation fees may apply).
  • All games will start immediately after the session start bell, or as soon as each team has at least three players ready to play. If the start is delayed by more than 15 minutes the non-offending team will be credited with 1 end.
  • A penalty of one shot for every ten minutes from the start bell, up to a maximum of three shots, will be awarded to the non-offending team should the other team have fewer than four players at the start bell.
  • If a team still has less than three players 30 minutes after the start bell, the game will be awarded to the non-offending team. The non-offending team will be given 5 ends and 6 shots and the offending team will be given 0 ends and -6 shots.
  • Skips are responsible for ensuring that scorecards are completed correctly (including any penalties), signed, and placed in the Edinburgh Curling Club box within the ice hall.
  • Results and standings will be published on the Curl Edinburgh website. Any discrepancies should be raised with the office at the earliest opportunity.

SWAN TROPHY
All players and substitutes must be members of Edinburgh Curling Club.
All players and substitutes must also be members of the club they represent.
Each club must provide two teams of four to play in each round.
The competition will be played as a double-rink knock-out, with the number of rounds determined by the number of clubs that enter.
Each club will receive one hammer in each match. A coin toss is used to determine stone colour for each club.
The winner of a match is determined by the total shots scored over the two games.
In the event of a tie, both clubs will nominate one player to play a draw to the button, with the closest to the button determining the winner. Players may only play their draw shot on the sheet of ice on which they played.
For the final, an extra end will be played by both teams. If the match is still tied, then the draw shot as detailed above will be used to determine the winner.
Prizes will be awarded to the winners and losers of the final.
The winners will be presented with the Swan Trophy.

HALF CENTURY
All players and substitutes must be members of Edinburgh Curling Club.
All players and substitutes must be at least 50 years old.
All games must be played on or before the date of the scheduled last game in the league.
No penalty for late start, late arrival of players, or playing with three players.
A game cannot start until both teams have at least three players.
The competition will be run as a single round robin league.
Two points awarded for a win, one point for a draw.
Shots up, then shots scored, then ends won will be used as tie-breakers.
Prizes will be awarded to teams finishing first, second and third in the league.
The winners will be presented with the Haymarket Directors Trophy.

AGM 15th May 2025

Margaret Carr is now President of Penicuik Curling Club. Jean Noble was appointed Vice President.

Karen Black is now our new Treasurer.

Two other members have been voted on to the Committee. They are Jean Cassie and Ian Robertson.

Jim Ramsay continues his term as Secretary. Dave Anderson, Stuart Blackwood, Graeme Cassie and Louise Clapperton remain as serving members while David Gillespie moves to the position of Past President

The first full Committee meeting will take place mid June.