Only competition of its kind in Scotland arrives in Inverness this weekend
THE only curling competition of its kind in Scotland is set to return to Inverness and will celebrate its 20th anniversary this weekend.
The Johnny Foxes Inverness Skins will see curling teams from across Scotland battle it out over three days of competition at the Inverness Ice Centre.
A total of 20 teams will start their bid for the title, with matches starting on Friday and the final set to take place on Sunday.
With a £5000 prize fund in the competition, each match will be played as a Skins match with money on offer for each end that is played.
The top two teams in each section will progress to the next round.
The event will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, with the first competition taking place in 2004 and has been held every year with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.
Committee member Brenda McIntyre says it is a competition which is important to curling in Inverness and the Highlands. Organisers are looking forward to what they hope will be a successful event.
“Players from across Scotland are heading to Inverness to take part in the competition,” she said.
“It is the only event of its kind in Scotland. It is only one of the few remaining curling weekends which we have in Inverness.
“It is important not just for the Inverness ice rink but also for the sport of curling too.
“The public are welcome to watch the action over the course of the weekend too.”
The competition first began in 2004 when it was won by skipper Kelly Wood with her team of Lorna Vevers, Kim Brewster and Lindsay Wood.
Defending Inverness Skins champion Ewan Macdonald will look to successfully retain his crown when he takes to the ice with Euan Byers, Duncan Fernie and Andy Reid.
MacDonald is a three-time curling world champion – taking the coveted title in 1999, 2006 and 2009. He will look to win the Inverness Skins title for the fourth time, previously winning in 2012 and 2014 as well as last year.
Nairn curler Ally Fraser will look to win the Inverness Skins title for the third time after winning the competition in 2019 and 2022.
Fraser’s team consists of Ruairidh Greenwood, Calum Greenwood and Grant Fraser.
Brothers Glen Muirhead and Tom Muirhead, whose sister is Olympic champion Eve Muirhead, will also be competing in the tournament in the team of skipper Stuart Stark and Robbie Stevenson.
The competition will start at 11:30am on Friday with the winners expected to be crowned 4pm.