West Linton Curling Club

President's Welcome

West Linton Curling Club has close to 40 Members, who mainly reside in the village or surrounding area. It is a very friendly club and welcomes participants of all ages. We play our Curling at Murrayfield Ice Rink in Edinburgh from early October through to mid March each year. The Club runs 6 Rinks, or teams of 4 people, and competes in Inter Club competitions during the season. Two social events are held each year - A pre-Christmas Fun Night and the Annual Dinner Dance and Prize-giving in March.

Before this season we will be holding a Practice Night on Thursday 6th October at 5.30pm. We are always looking for new members so if you are interested in trying Curling, or perhaps revisiting old skills, please use the contact details shown below or by providing your details on the 'contact us' page. We look forward to hearing from you.

Graham Rosie

Background: West Linton Curling Club

In 1991 the Club celebrated the 150th Anniversary of its Institution by holding a Bonspiel, or tournament, inviting local clubs to a match and dinner. As sporting clubs go, this is a very respectable age and it shows the strength in continuity that the club will look forward to 175 years of existence in 2016. That many of the members who celebrated in 1991 are still active curlers is testimony to not only their fitness but their enjoyment of a sport which embraces players of all ages and abilities.

As our President mentions above, the season typically runs for 5 months throughout the winter and provides a welcome relief to the dark evenings. The majority of the season's curling matches are in the form of an internal competition between the 6 rinks, each rink comprising a Skip, 3rd, 2nd and Lead. Arrangements are usually made just before a match for car-sharing in order to get to the Royal Caledonian Curling Club's headquarters at Murrayfield, near to the Rugby stadium. A match typically lasts around 1hour 50 minutes, with a bell signalling the start and finish of a match. The facilities at the Club are very good, with a subsidised bar and excellent food.

As with most sports, there are a few rules to be observed, as well as courtesies, and you will see there is a separate page giving guidance on the sport. Curling also has its' own particular terminology, and you can see the glossary here.

Finally, here is a link to the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.

In terms of equipment, all that is required to get on the 'ice' is some warm clothing and some clean training-type shoes. A brush can be borrowed at the venue, as can a slider; the addition to the bottom of ones shoe which will assist you to deliver the stone.