Curling - Inverness host Highland Week of International Curling as athletes from Canada, England, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, United States and Scotland take part
One of the biggest international curling events in Scotland has slid into action in Inverness.
The Highland International Week of Curling is currently underway with teams from across the world battling out at the Inverness Ice Centre.
It is the 58th time the Highland Week of International Curling is taking place and among the teams who are taking part in this year’s event come from Scotland, England, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, USA and for the first time Lithuania.
The official ceremony took place on Sunday morning when the Inverness Royal British Legion Pipe Band played representatives from each of the countries onto the ice.
Each of the flags were unfurled before last year’s winner Craig Hamilton from Ellon was given the honour of throwing the first stone to mark the opening of the competition.
Matches will take place throughout the week before the final takes place on Friday afternoon at 1pm for the Glenmorangie Distillery Quaich.
Competition committee member Brenda MacIntyre says it promises to be an exciting week .
She said: “I would say it is the biggest international curling event that takes place in Scotland.
“Its success is down to the format that we have. As well as curling, we hold events during the evenings.
“There is a real sociable side to the competition with everyone staying in the same hotel.
“We are all like minded people and everyone always gets on really well during the competition.
“As well taking part in curling competition, each of the teams enjoy exploring the area too which is good for the economy and they get a taste of Inverness.”
