SOME of the best curlers in the world will arrive in Dumfries this weekend as the Scottish Curling Championships get underway at the ice bowl on Sunday.
This year’s championship, sponsored by Hardie Engineering, is particularly noteworthy as it presents a rare opportunity to witness a face-off between this year’s only two Grand Slam of Curling champions: Team Mouat and Team Whyte.
Team Mouat, currently ranked world number one, boast an impressive record with nine GSOC titles, including victories at the National (2017, 2024), Champions Cup (2021), and Players’ Championship (2021, 2022). Their accolades also include an Olympic silver medal (2022) and a World Championship gold (2023).
Team Whyte, under the leadership of skip Ross Whyte, recently clinched their inaugural Grand Slam title at the WFG Masters in January 2025, propelling them to fifth in the world rankings. This victory underscores their rising prominence in the curling world and sets the stage for an exhilarating match-up against Team Mouat.
The women’s draw promises to be equally thrilling, as Team Henderson returns to defend their title against a fiercely competitive field. After their triumphant victory at last year’s championships, skip Rebecca Henderson and her team are eager to solidify their legacy with back-to-back wins.
“This year’s Hardie Engineering Scottish Curling Championships promises to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory,” said Vincent Bryson, CEO of Scottish Curling.
“With the nation’s top athletes, including our Grand Slam champions going head-to-head in the men’s draw, and Team Henderson defending their crown in the women’s draw with two current Olympic Champions in different teams, the excitement is unparalleled.
“Dumfries Ice Bowl will be the focal point of the curling world, and we can’t wait to welcome fans from across the country to witness this spectacular showcase of skill and passion. We hope to see you there.”
Dumfries Ice Bowl is set to host the championships for the next three years.
Meanwhile, spectators can anticipate a week of high-calibre competition, culminating in the women’s final on February 7 and the men’s final on February 8.
Graham Sloan, manager at Dumfries Curling, said: “We are delighted to be bringing this level of competition and athletes to Dumfries and appreciate the local community coming together to celebrate and support curling in Scotland, particularly Hardie Engineering.
“We aim to deliver an event that facilitates great curling and inspires new generations of curlers. We wish our sponsors, partners, spectators and athletes all the best for a great Scottish Championship.”
Tickets are now available for purchase.
