The United Kingdom has a rich history of curling. From the small towns of Scotland to the bustling cities of England, curling is a beloved game for many people.
The UK has produced some of the best curlers in the world, with several players having won the world championships and Olympic gold medals. This article will look at the top 5 curling players from the UK, looking at their achievements and the impact they have had on the game.
1. Bruce Mouat
Bruce Mouat is a highly accomplished curler from Scotland. He has achieved great success both domestically and internationally, having won the Scottish, European, and World Men’s Championship titles as a skip.
His most impressive accomplishment was leading Great Britain to a silver medal finish in the men’s team event at the 2022 Winter Olympics. This remarkable feat has cemented Mouat’s reputation as one of the best curlers in the world today.
He is an inspirational figure for aspiring curlers who seek to emulate his success.
2. Bobby Lammie
Bobby Lammie is a curler from Scotland, hailing from the town of Stranraer. Curling is a sport in which two teams of four players each slide stones on a sheet of ice towards a target area, with the aim of getting their stones closest to the center of the target area.
Bobby currently plays second on the Team Bruce Mouat, one of the top curling teams in the world. Playing second means Bobby is the second person to throw the stones during the game and is responsible for providing support to the lead who throws the first stones.
Bobby’s role is to direct the other team members when it comes to the strategy and placement of the stones, as well as cleaning up any stones that are not in the correct position.
It is thanks to Bobby’s skill and leadership that Team Bruce Mouat has been able to achieve success in the curling world.
3. Jennifer Dodds
Jennifer Carmichael “Jenn” Dodds MBE is a highly accomplished curler from Scotland. She is a member of the British Empire and is a proud representative of both Scotland and Great Britain.
Her impressive career includes a number of achievements, the most recent of which are winning gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics in women’s curling, and gold at the 2022 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships. She currently plays mixed doubles curling with Bruce Mouat.
Prior to these successes, she has won numerous other awards and titles in the sport. Her achievements have earned her recognition from not only the curling community but also from the broader sports world.
Her success demonstrates her dedication to the sport and her passion for competing at a high level.
4. Ross Whyte
Ross Whyte is a highly accomplished curler from Scotland. He has achieved an incredible amount in his sport, having won two European championships and an Olympic silver medal.
He hails from Stirling, a city in central Scotland that is known for its picturesque setting in the shadow of the historic Stirling castle. Ross has been involved in curling for the majority of his life.
As a youngster, he was already honing his skills and making a name for himself in the curling world. He quickly rose through the ranks and soon became one of the most respected curlers in the country. His success on the international stage has been nothing short of remarkable.
He has won two European championships, in 2013 and 2015, and also earned a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
This made him the first Scottish curler to ever win an Olympic medal. Ross is an inspiration to many aspiring curlers, and his achievements are a testament to the hard work and dedication he has put into the sport.
He continues to live in Stirling and is a proud ambassador for his hometown and for Scotland.
5. Grant Hardie
Grant Hardie is a well-known curler from Glasgow, Scotland. He plays third for the Bruce Mouat rink, a team that has achieved a great deal of success in recent years. Hardie has been a key member of the team, helping them to win the 2018 European Championships.
His success on the curling ice is even more remarkable considering his family ties. Grant Hardie is the nephew of Hammy McMillan, the 1999 world champion. With such a talented relative, it’s no surprise that Grant Hardie has become one of the best curlers in the world.
He has already achieved a great deal of success in his career, and it looks like there are more titles to come for Grant Hardie and the Bruce Mouat rink.
6. Eve Muirhead
Eve Muirhead is an extraordinary athlete who has achieved remarkable success in the sport of curling.
She is a Scottish former curler from Perth who has had a distinguished career, culminating in her becoming the skip, or team captain, of the British Olympic Curling Team. Muirhead’s accomplishments have been recognized with her being awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire).
In 2022, Muirhead and her team became Olympic champions when they won gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. This was the culmination of a successful journey that began at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where the team won the bronze medal.
Muirhead is an inspiration to athletes everywhere and her achievements speak volumes about her dedication and hard work. She continues to be a leader in the curling world and her success is a testament to her determination and resilience in the face of adversity.
7. Hammy McMillan Jr.
Hamilton “Hammy” McMillan Jr. is a Scottish curler from Stranraer.
He is highly accomplished in the sport, having won multiple championships and playing for some of the most renowned curling teams in the world. Currently, McMillan plays the lead for Bruce Mouat’s curling team, a position that involves throwing the first two of eight stones per end.
He is also part of Tom Brewster’s Scotland team, which competed in the 2016 European Curling Championships.McMillan’s accomplishments in the sport include winning the 2013 World Junior Championships and the 2016 Scottish men’s Championships.
These achievements demonstrate his talent for curling and have established him as one of the top curlers from Scotland.McMillan’s dedication to the sport of curling is evident in his success.
His ability to remain focused and determined in the face of competition has enabled him to win multiple championships and continue to compete at the highest level. His commitment to the sport is a testament to his skill and dedication.
8. Laurence Jackson
Laurence Jackson was an accomplished Scottish curler. He was part of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club team that made history by winning the first-ever gold medal for curling at the inaugural Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France, in 1924.
He was the son of fellow gold-medalist Willie Jackson, also of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. This was an incredible achievement for both Laurence and his father, as they were part of the first team to ever win an Olympic gold in curling.
Laurence was fortunate enough to follow in his father’s footsteps, and the two shared a unique bond of having both won gold medals in the same sport. The Winter Olympics of 1924 was the first of its kind and featured a variety of sports.
Curling was one of the events, and Laurence Jackson was part of the team that triumphed over their opponents.
His efforts, coupled with those of his father, helped to make history and put Scotland on the map as the first country to ever win an Olympic gold medal in curling. The success of Laurence and his father in the 1924 Winter Olympics is an inspiring story of hard work and dedication.
It shows that with determination and practice, even the most unlikely of dreams can come true. It is a testament to the legacy of both Laurence and his father, Willie Jackson, and their impact on the history of curling.
9. Janice Rankin
Janice Rankin MBE is a highly accomplished curler from Scotland. She is best known for her outstanding performance in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where she and her teammates, Rhona Martin, Deborah Knox, Fiona MacDonald and Margaret Morton, won the gold medal.
Janice’s success began at a young age, as she was a student at The Mary Erskine School in Edinburgh.
Here, she developed her skills and talents in the sport of curling, which allowed her to compete at the highest level. Rankin was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of her great achievements in curling.
Her gold medal win in Salt Lake City was a huge accolade for Scotland, and was a landmark moment in Janice’s career. She has since gone on to be an inspiration to many and is a great example of dedication and excellence in sports.
10. Margaret Morton
Margaret Morton MBE is a Scottish curler who achieved great success in her career. She is an Olympic champion, having won a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, along with teammates Rhona Martin, Deborah Knox, Fiona MacDonald, and Janice Rankin.
This incredible feat was rewarded with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2002 Birthday Honours. Margaret’s career in curling has been quite impressive.
She has competed in many international competitions, including the World Championships, the European Championships, and the World Junior Championships.
She has also represented Scotland in the United Kingdom Curling Championships several times. Margaret is an inspiration to many, showing that hard work and dedication will eventually pay off.
Her gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics is a testament to her determination and passion for the sport. She is an example of what can be achieved with the right attitude and commitment.
11. Rhona Martin
Rhona Howie, MBE, is a British curler known most famously under her married name, Rhona Martin. She is renowned for her leadership and skill at the helm of the British women’s curling team at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Her ability to lead the team to a gold medal victory cemented her place in history and made her a household name. Martin has had a successful career in curling, having skippered the Scotland curling team at the World and European Championships.
She has also been awarded an MBE for her achievements in the sport, in recognition of her commitment and skill. The 2002 Olympics was the pinnacle of her career, as she led her British team to a stunning gold medal victory.
Her ability to manage her team and make the right tactical decisions was integral to the team’s success. Rhona Martin is an inspiration to aspiring curlers everywhere, and her successes demonstrate the potential that the sport holds.
She will remain a legendary figure in British curling for many years to come.
12. William Jackson
William Kilgour Jackson was a Scottish curler who made history by leading his team from the Royal Caledonian Curling Club to win the gold medal in the first ever Olympic curling event, which took place during the inaugural Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France in 1924.
Jackson was a skilled skip, highly respected in the curling world, and was one of the top skips in Scotland at the time. Outside of curling, Jackson ran his family’s farm in Symington. He was a hardworking and dedicated man who put his all into his work, as well as his sport.
It was his determination and drive that led him to become one of the best in the game and to lead his team to Olympic gold. He was an inspirational figure and a true champion.
13. Debbie Knox
Deborah Knox MBE is a British curler who hails from Lochgelly, Scotland. She is incredibly well-known in the curling world for being part of the British curling team that won gold in the 2002 winter Olympics.
This was a huge accomplishment for Knox, as it was the first time a British curling team had won a medal in the Olympics. At the 2002 Olympics, Knox played third for Rhona Martin, who was the skip for the team.
Knox’s role as third was to throw the second and third stones of the end, as well as provide support for the skip. Her experience and expertise in this position made her a valuable asset to the team and proved to be a key factor in their gold medal success.
Knox continues to be an influential figure in the curling world, and her accomplishments have been honored with an MBE, or Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
This honor is awarded to individuals who make a significant contribution to their community and country, and Knox’s success in the Olympics certainly qualifies her to receive this recognition.
14. Scott Andrews
Scott Andrews is a Scottish curler from Symington. Scott is a highly skilled curler who has been playing the sport since he was a young child. He first joined a curling club while living in Symington, Scotland, his hometown.
He quickly rose to the top of the ranks in his club, and when he was just fourteen years old, he was selected to join the Scottish National Curling Team. Since then, Scott has been a major contributor to the team and has won numerous competitions.
He has also helped the team to secure a number of medals in international competitions. Scott has become a role model for aspiring curlers and is well-known and respected throughout the curling world.
He is an inspiration to those who want to pursue a career in curling and shows that it is possible to achieve success in this sport.
15. Greg Drummond
Greg Drummond is a Scottish curler from Stirling, Scotland. He began curling at the age of 16 and has since become one of the most successful and celebrated curlers in Scotland. He is a two-time world champion, having won the World Curling Championships in 2004 and 2005.
He was also part of Team Great Britain when they won silver at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Drummond’s success has extended beyond the world of curling. He is also a highly successful entrepreneur, having set up his own businesses in the hospitality and golf industries.
He is also an active member of the Stirling community, having served as a councilor for the area since 2010. Drummond’s career in curling began in 1992 when he joined the Stirling Curling Club. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an international competitor in 1999.
Since then, he has won numerous medals and trophies, including gold medals at the World Curling Championships in 2004 and 2005. Drummond is a highly respected figure in the curling community and has been recognized for his achievements by the World Curling Federation.
He was inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame in 2010 and has since been honored with the title of Honorary President of the World Curling Federation. Greg Drummond is a true champion of the sport of curling and an inspiration to many.
His dedication and commitment to the sport of curling have made him a true legend in the world of curling.
16. Michael Goodfellow
Michael Goodfellow is a retired Scottish curler. He was an active competitor for many years, taking part in various competitions in Scotland and beyond. He won several awards for his curling prowess and was a highly-respected curler in the sport.
After retiring from competition, he began to coach young curlers from the area, helping them to develop their skills and grow as athletes. He has been a coach for the Scottish Curling Association for several years now and is a respected figure in the world of curling.
He is passionate about the sport and his coaching style is focused on teaching the fundamentals of the game in order to help young curlers reach their full potential. His dedication to the sport and his students has earned him much respect from fellow curlers.
17. Rebecca Morrison
Rebecca Morrison is an accomplished curler from Scotland, hailing from the city of Glasgow. She is currently the skip of her own curling team based in the city of Stirling.
In 2022, Morrison and her team achieved a major victory by winning the Scottish Curling Championships, which was held in Dumfries. This was a significant accomplishment for Morrison and her team, as it showcased their skill and commitment to the sport.
Morrison’s success has been a source of pride and inspiration for the curling community in Scotland, and she has become a role model for aspiring curlers.
Her hard work and dedication to the sport serve as an example of what can be achieved with the right attitude and determination.
18. Hailey Duff
Hailey Caitlin Rose Duff MBE is an accomplished curler from Forfar, Scotland. She is a one-time Olympic Champion, having won gold at the 2022 Olympics in the women’s curling event.
On the international stage, she is a 2021 European champion curler, playing lead for skip Eve Muirhead. Hailey Duff has a long history of success in curling, and her Olympic victory is just the latest in her list of achievements.
Her skill and determination has earned her respect from curling fans and athletes alike, and she is now considered one of the greatest curlers in the world.
Duff’s success has also been recognized by the British Empire, who awarded her with the title of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her outstanding achievements in curling. Hailey Duff is an inspiration to aspiring curlers across the globe, and her success has been a great example of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
Her commitment to the sport is evident, and she continues to compete at the highest levels of the game.
19. David Murdoch
David Matthew Murdoch is an esteemed retired Scottish curler from Stirling. He is a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) due to his incredible success as a curler.
As the Scotland skip, Murdoch was part of the team that won the 2006 and 2009 World Curling Championships. The team was composed of Ewan MacDonald, Warwick Smith, Euan Byers, and Peter Smith. During the 2006 championship, the team defeated Canada in the finals to take the gold.
Then, in 2009, the team again faced Canada in the finals, this time coming out victorious. This was a remarkable feat as the team had only been together for a few years. Murdoch’s leadership and skill as a curler helped his team become two-time world champions.
20. Kyle Waddell
Kyle Waddell is a Scottish curler who hails from the city of Hamilton in Scotland. He is currently the skip for his own team of curlers. In 2018, Kyle represented Great Britain in the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
He and his team managed to finish in fifth place overall in the competition. As a skip, Kyle is the leader of his team. It is his responsibility to make decisions on the ice, such as calling shots and determining strategy.
He is also responsible for motivating his teammates and keeping them on task. During the Olympics, Kyle and his team had to face tough opponents and challenging conditions, but they managed to remain focused and determined, eventually earning a fifth-place finish.
Kyle’s success at the 2018 Winter Olympics is a testament to his dedication to the sport of curling. He has dedicated countless hours of practice and hard work to perfect his craft and he was rewarded with a strong performance at the Olympics.
He is a great example of what can be achieved with the right attitude and determination.
21. Hammy McMillan
Hamilton “Hammy” McMillan is an accomplished Scottish curler and world champion. He is renowned for his successes in the sport and is a five-time gold medalist in the European Curling Championships.
His most impressive achievement is his gold medal performance at the 1999 Ford World Curling Championships in Saint John, New Brunswick, where he was the skip for the Scottish team.
McMillan’s ability to read the ice and his tactical skills have been responsible for his success in the sport. He has a great understanding of the game and is an excellent strategist, often anticipating his opponents’ moves and making the right decisions at the right time.
In addition to his technical prowess, McMillan is renowned for his leadership abilities. He is a respected figure in the curling world, having mentored many of the world’s top curlers.
McMillan’s dedication and commitment to the sport of curling have been instrumental in his success. He continues to be a major force in the curling world and is an inspiration to aspiring curlers.
His accomplishments have earned him a place in the history books as one of the greatest curlers of all time.
22. Fiona MacDonald
Fiona MacDonald MBE is a highly accomplished Scottish curler who achieved monumental success in her sport. Born in Paisley, she became an Olympic champion when she won a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Her outstanding achievement was rewarded with an appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2002 Birthday Honours. Prior to this, Fiona was married to fellow Scottish curler Ewan MacDonald.
This further highlights her dedication to the sport of curling and her commitment to the game. Throughout her career, Fiona has been a remarkable role model for the sport of curling and continues to be a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes today.
23. Mili Smith
Mili Smith MBE is a retired Scottish curler who hails from Perth. She had a distinguished career in competitive curling, which culminated in her being part of the British team that won the gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Smith was the alternate on the team, meaning she was the third member of the team, and was responsible for stepping up if any of the other two players were unavailable.
Smith’s presence on the team was instrumental in their success, and the team’s victory was a fitting end to her distinguished career.
Her contributions to the sport were rewarded with an MBE, or a Member of the Order of the British Empire, which recognizes outstanding contributions in the fields of the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations, and public service outside the Civil Service.
24. Robin Welsh
Robin Welsh was an accomplished Scottish sportsman who excelled in a variety of disciplines. He represented the Royal Caledonian Curling Club at the Winter Olympics as a curler, a position which he had been training for from a young age.
He also played tennis and rugby union for Scotland at an international level. As a curler, Robin was an experienced and respected member of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club and was chosen to represent the club at the Winter Olympics.
He was trained from a young age to excel in the sport, and his hard work and dedication paid off when he was selected to compete in the Olympics. In addition to curling, Robin’s skills on the tennis court and rugby pitch were also noticed internationally.
His athletic abilities earned him a place on the Scottish tennis team, where he was able to demonstrate his technical and tactical prowess.
He also represented Scotland in rugby union, showing off his physical strength and agility. Throughout his career as a sportsman, Robin Welsh was able to combine his natural talent and dedication to the various sports he participated in.
His exemplary skill in curling, tennis and rugby union earned him recognition in Scotland and around the world. He was an exemplary athlete who was able to excel in multiple disciplines, and he was an inspiration to many aspiring sportsmen.
Conclusion
The best curling players in the United Kingdom have demonstrated tremendous skill and dedication to the sport.
They have consistently achieved great results in international tournaments and have demonstrated a deep understanding of the nuances of the game.
With their continued success, these players have become an inspiration to curlers everywhere and have placed the United Kingdom at the forefront of curling excellence.
