Our History

Broomhall Curling Club:- was founded in 1879 by Victor Alexander, 9th Earl of Elgin. As reported in the Dunfermline press on the 28th Jan 1880, the first AGM was held on Jan 16th in the Elgin Hotel, Hon R. Preston Bruce presiding in the absence of the Earl who was abscent due to a family bereavement. A Grand Match was held a week later on Jan 23rd  at Carsebreck. The Earl returned to the chair for the 1881 AGM. Curling in this era was very much an outdoor sport and the club's home matches were played on the curling pond in Broomhall Estate. The pond together with the curling shed still exists to this day and is maintained annually by club members.

Moving on into the second half of the 20th Century, our current Hon President (Andrew) 11th Earl, was born in 1924 and has been a keen curler all his life. He joined Broomhall in seaon 1952/53 and became president in 1958 (as Lord Bruce). He was elected president of the RCCC in 1967/68 succeeding his father. He also skipped a Broomhall rink in the infamous Grand Match, played on the Lake of Mentieth in 1979, watched by his dear wife Lady Victoria. The Laird went on to be a great ambassador for curling both at home and abroad. In 2003 he celebrated "50years" membership of the RCCC and was presented with their prestegious Gold Medal.Over the last decade, more than 10 other members of Broomhall have also been presented with their "50year" medal", a very proud period for the club. At the age of 85, the Earl withdrew from active participation in administration of the club and in 2009, past on the Chairmanship to his younger brother The Hon David Bruce who joined the club in 1967 and was a member of the club council for many years.

Due to climate change curling became an indoor sport with Broomhall playing most of their culing at the indoor facilty within the Green Hotel at Kinross. This curling arena was built in 1977 and in 2013 Kinross Curling Trust was formed to refurbish the facility and take over the running of the rink. KCT has done an excellent job, installing new ice making equipment, a new ice bed, new lighting and generally improving the building structure in general. This facility caters for more than 35 curling clubs who play their matches there on a weekly basis.

The most recent "Outdoor Bonspiel" was played on the curling pond at Broomhall in Feb 2010 (due to the severe winter. God Bless snow and Ice) The curlers played for the coveted Sesqui Trophy which was won by a rink skipped by Ian McFarlane. The story has it, the last time this trophy was played for was in an outdoor Bonspiel in Toronto. Over 70 curlers family & friends  braved the cold, and attended this event, enjoying excellent home made food and "a few drams" in the hunting lodge after the match. The Bonspiel is still talked about till this day, a great event indeed.

Broomhall is a very social curling club, playing a series of annual bonspiels against various neighbouring clubs, enjoying the competitive games but equally important, the company of their fellow curlers. Broomhall are renowned locally for their enthusiastic welcome of new curlers which takes place at their annual "Curlers Supper" which is a memorable event well attended by club members and guests from neighbouring clubs.

Curling is an Excellent sport, "Interested in playing." Then come and join this Grand Old Club. Please contact our secretary, details on our home page!

One of our members Vic Scott has actually published a book on the full history of "Broomhall Curling Club", copies of which are available by again, contacting our secretary.

Keen & Clear !