Curling - Inverness is set to host 58th Highland International Week of Curling - Athletes from Canada, England, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, United States and Scotland taking part
CURLERS from across the world are set to arrive in Inverness to take part in the one of the most prestigious events of its kind in Scotland.
The Highland Week of International Curling is set to slide into action at the Inverness Ice Centre with the competition starting on Sunday.
A total of 38 teams from seven countries will be competing in six days of competition with the final taking place on Friday, March 7.
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.
It is the 58th time the Highland Week of International Curling is taking place and has earned a reputation as one of the top international curling competitions on the Scottish calendar.
Competition committee member Brenda MacIntyre says they are looking forward to another outstanding tournament.
She said: “The preparations are going well for the competition taking place next week.
“It is particularly exciting to have a team coming from Lithuania for the first time with an all-women’s team.
“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.”
All the teams will be piped on to the ice during the opening ceremony on Sunday morning.
Before the competition starts, one player from each of the nations represented will unfurl their country’s flag.
Each of the 38 teams taking part will have four players each who will then battle it out for the Glenmorangie Distillery Quaich.
Last year, Craig Hamilton won the Highland Week of International Curling for the sixth time in his career in a dramatic final.
Trailing 6-3 to defending 2023 champion Andreas Flammer of Switzerland, the Ellon curler along with his team of Tom McGregor, Andrew Clark and Iain Fraser levelled the match 6-6 in the seventh end.
Hamilton took a one shot lead in the final eighth end, with Flammer having the last stone of the match. But he was unable to capitalise, as Hamilton claimed a 7-6 victory.
Read: Curlers from Canada take to the ice in Inverness