Curling: Athletes from across Scotland compete at Inverness Skins Competition
Curlers from across Scotland travelled to compete at the Johnny Foxes Inverness Skins Competition.
A total of 24 teams competed during three days of action at Inverness Ice Centre in a competition which is unique to Scottish curling.
The skins format was developed in Canada in 1986 with teams competing for skins rather than the normal shots format.
Each skin had a cash value which increases as the games progress.
To win a skin, a team must either win an end by more than one shot or steal the end without last stone.
Under the format, the teams winning the most cash progress.
Ewan MacDonald’s rink of Duncan Fernie, Andy Reid and Ewan Byers were crowned 2023 champions.
They defeated Richard Mackenzie rink of Andrew Deeth, Malcolm Murray and Neil Campbell in the final.
The game was dependant on the last stone played to decide the winner.
In addition, Neil McArthur from Nairn was awarded The George MacArthur Spirit of Curling Award, which was named after his father.
The award was presented to the curler that the participants voted as displaying the true spirit of curling during the competition.
George along with his wife Joan, were the faces of Inverness Skins and instrumental in the success of the event and its ongoing popularity with curlers from across Scotland.
Event committee member Brenda MacIntyre was delighted with the success of the event.
She says preparations are starting for the Highland Week of Curling in March.
“It was great to have 24 teams in the competition, which is unique in Scotland.
“There were four sections of six teams and the top two went into the quarter finals of High Road competition.
“The third place teams went to the Low Road semi finals.”
