Venue
Highland Week of International Curling was first competed for in 1967 at the seven sheet ice rink in Aviemore. It started as a fun bonspiel brining together curlers from around the world to compete in Aviemore. The 1967 event was set up as a trial but proved to be so successful it has run ever since.
This was the home of the event from its' inception through until 1999, when following the closure of the Aviemore Rink it moved to the five sheet rink at Inverness Ice Centre. The Week has been competed for there since the year 2000.
The early competitions hosted up to 64 teams playing over the week, with games running from early morning through to the evening. Participants stayed in three different hotels in Aviemore village, The Badenoch, The Strathspey and The Post House.
Parties were held in the rooms of all the hotels with the curlers making visits to them all. A 'Curlers Court' was also held each year.
In these early years of the competition there were hostesses who looked after the participants and gave information on the local area and on places to visit. Two of these were Sandra South and Shirley Campbell, both of whom went on to become very active members of the Highland Week Committee.
In 2016 we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the competition and welcomed 46 teams who participated in a slightly extended competition over a 7 day programme.
Since 2010 participants have being staying within the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness, the hotel offers excellent facilities and strives to look after the curlers every need.
Sponsors
Highland Week of International Curling has attracted a number of sponsors throughout the years:
1967 to 1976 - Johnnie Walker
1980 to 1986 - Weatherseal
1987 to 1992 - Glenfarclas (Who also
organised the Event)
1993 to 1995 - Baird's Malt
1996 to Present - Glenfarclas
For many years the event has also been sponsored by the Highland Council and by Macallan.
The Event
The Highland Week of International Curling is competed for over 6 days of curling, Teams are divided into Sections of 8 or 10 and will play three games in Rounds 1 & 2 in a Schenkel System. Following this you then enter and compete in either:
High Road - Glenfarclas Silver Quaich
Middle Road - Alan Johnston Trophy
Low Road - Consolation Bonspiel
Rankings are decided upon points first, ends won, shots up, ends against and shots scored.
There are also prizes for the Highest Ranked Ladies Team and Mixed Team
