Curl Edinburgh

We asked some members of our New Stones beginner club (past and present) about their curling journey so far. Next up, a brilliant account from John Collins, who is now a qualified Coach and Club Secretary!
“I moved from Cumbria to Edinburgh with work in 2017 and spotted an advert for Cramond Curling Club in a local newsletter during Summer 2019. I had always enjoyed watching curling during the Winter Olympics, but living and working in England meant there were few opportunities to have a go. Cramond welcomed me with open arms, dismissing my protests that I had never played with "don't worry, we'll show you what to do, you'll soon pick it up!". So my first ever time on the ice was playing as Lead for Cramond - no lessons, no coaching, just straight into a game with a borrowed brush and words of encouragement, delivering stones while crouched in the hack. The Cramond members were really supportive and pointed me in the direction of the New Stones beginner club, where I received fantastic coaching, whilst also playing a full season's fixtures for Cramond as Lead. Sadly the end of that first season saw the COVID pandemic take hold, wiping out the 2020/21 season but I rejoined New Stones and Cramond for the 2021/22 season, moving up from Lead to Second and occasionally the dizzy heights of Third.

During the 2023/24 season I trained as a Level 1 Curling Coach, qualifying just before the end of the season and have now completed two years of coaching alongside playing with Cramond. I really enjoy coaching, particularly the sessions. Taking complete novices onto the ice and seeing them have a whole lot of fun playing their first few ends of competitive curling within two hours is really satisfying. It also gives me a great buzz to see beginners that I coach in Try Curling and New Stones making their way into clubs to start their own journeys in the sport.
I love the inclusivity of curling and particularly that able-bodied curlers, stick curlers and wheelchair curlers can all compete and enjoy the sport together. A big highlight of my own curling journey was volunteering as an Ice Assistant during the World Wheelchair Championships at Auchenharvie Leisure Centre in February last year, where I got to carry the flag for England during the opening ceremony. The hurdles that the wheelchair curlers have overcome to compete at that level is frankly humbling - and their accuracy and consistency puts a club curler like me to shame!
So what's next for me? Seven years on from joining Cramond, I have now taken on the role of Club Secretary, and after Cramond affiliated with Scottish Curling last year, I am very much looking forward to seeing Cramond compete in the Midlothian Province League for the first time next season. With the MilanoCortina2026 Winter Olympics giving the sport a huge boost at the end of last season I expect to be busy coaching a lot more Try Curling, Become A Curler, and New Stones sessions when we return to the ice in October. This training pathway is now firmly established at Curl Edinburgh, is much more structured than when I started curling in 2019, and is already paying dividends. There’s a pipeline of new, enthusiastic curlers of all ages and abilities now feeding into various clubs. There really is a club for everybody at Curl Edinburgh. And maybe, just maybe, some of this coaching will finally help me get the hang of curling myself! There is always something new to learn and every day is certainly a school day when we're together on the ice!”

If you would like to get into curling, our four-part Become A Curler course and New Stones beginner club will teach you the basics, develop your skills, and inspire you to progress into regular club curling.
You can get more information and register your interest on our website: https://www.edinburghcurling.co.uk/becoming-a-curler/

Entries are still open for this EJCT - European Junior Curling Tour event.

🚨 Get the date in the diary! 🗓️ Places are filling up.

To register visit www.EdinburghCurling.co.uk/EJCT



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We asked some members of our New Stones beginner club (past and present) about their curling journey so far.

First up, Mihoko Pooley.

"I became interested in curling after watching my son play with Gogar Park Young Curlers and in various tournaments.
I’ve really enjoyed the mix of skill, strategy, and teamwork. Early on, there were challenges - especially learning balance and delivery - but seeing progress and taking part in matches has been a real highlight.
I’ve had the chance to play with different clubs, which has helped me improve and gain confidence. Along the way, I’ve made great friends - curling has a really welcoming and social atmosphere.
What I enjoy most is delivering the stone exactly where I’m asked - it’s incredibly satisfying. Curling is a sport I truly enjoy."

If you would like to get into curling, our four-part Become A Curler course and New Stones beginner club will teach you the basics, develop your skills, and give you opportunities to meet other curlers/clubs to further progress your curling.
You can get more information and register your interest on our website: https://www.edinburghcurling.co.uk/becoming-a-curler/

Can you believe it's already been 2 months since our 2025/26 season finished?!
Here are more photos from our end-of-season Charity Bonspiel starring Britain's Olympic & Paralympic curling teams.
What are your memories from the event?

The development group took curling to 40 Princes Street yesterday. Ian, Margaret and Vicky gave up their time to show and speak to others about our sport to the workers in this office space. Hopefully some potential new curlers or group experience bookings/office outings in the future 🤞

Scottish Curling | Visit Edinburgh

Entries are open for this under 21 competition.

👻🧙‍♀️🎃💀

Curl Edinburgh will be hosting EJCT - European Junior Curling Tour this October! If you haven’t already….what you waiting for? get your entries in on the link below.

https://www.edinburghcurling.co.uk/ejct/

Caption contest!
Here's an unusual scene from our charity Olympic & Paralympic Bonspiel at the end of March. But what might Bobby, Hammy, and Sophie have been doing?!
Best response wins an air guitar...

Congratulations to Gogar Park Young Curlers members Amy Seftor and Logan Hodge on being selected for this opportunity. 👏

🇨🇦 Trillium 2026 Athlete & Coach Announcement 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

MMCF are delighted to announce that Amy Seftor & Logan Hodge have been selected as the MMCF representatives at Trillium Curling Camp 2026. They will be accompanied on the trip by Simon Grant, who will also be coaching at the camp.

Amy & Logan came through a highly competitive application and interview process, and will be excellent ambassadors for MMCF 💙❤️