The Ram’s Head Returns:

Ardgowan and Gourock Carry Inverclyde Hopes

Two Inverclyde curling clubs will be carrying local hopes into one of Renfrewshire Province’s most distinctive competitions during the 2026–27 season.

Ardgowan Curling Club and Gourock Curling Club are among the ten teams entered for the Ram’s Head, a competition described in surviving club records as Renfrewshire Province’s premier trophy.

Renfrewshire XII Province represents more than 30 clubs affiliated to the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, now known as Scottish Curling. Its clubs play across Greenacres Curling Rink in Howwood, the Waterfront Leisure Centre in Greenock and Auchenharvie Ice Rink in Stevenston.

The Province organises several competitions throughout the season, giving curlers the opportunity to meet and compete with players from beyond their own club programmes. Among the most recognisable of these is the Ram’s Head, named after the extraordinary trophy presented to its winners.

This is certainly no ordinary silver cup. The trophy is an actual preserved ram’s head, complete with magnificent curled horns, leather fittings and decorative metalwork. It is one of the most unusual and instantly recognisable prizes in Scottish club curling.

The competition also carries considerable importance. Its winners earn the right to represent Renfrewshire XII Province at the following Scottish Province Championships.

Double Inverclyde representation

There will be a particularly strong local interest this season, with both Ardgowan and Gourock drawn in Group A.

Gourock enter the competition as the defending champions, having won the 2025–26 Ram’s Head. Their success also means that they will represent Renfrewshire at the 2026 Scottish Province Championships, being held at Greenacres from 13 to 15 November.

Ardgowan will be hoping to mount a strong challenge of their own when the new competition begins.

The two Inverclyde clubs will not have long to wait before meeting. Ardgowan and Gourock are scheduled to play each other on Friday, 30 October, in what should be one of the most keenly followed games of the group stages.

Before then, the opening round on Friday, 16 October will see Ardgowan face Erskine, while Gourock take on Uplawmoor.

All games in this season’s Ram’s Head competition will be played at Greenacres Curling Rink on Fridays at 6pm.

The 2026–27 competitors
Group A
Ardgowan
Erskine
Gourock
Uplawmoor
Reform
Group B
Neilston
Between the Sheets
Dalry
Paisley St Mirren
Greenacres Young Curlers

The opening group matches will be followed by fixtures throughout the winter, with every team attempting to secure a place in the knockout stages and, ultimately, the opportunity to lift the famous trophy.

For Inverclyde curling followers, attention will naturally be focused on Ardgowan and Gourock. Gourock will be seeking to defend their title, while Ardgowan will be looking to make their own mark on this prestigious Province competition.

Whatever the results, having two local clubs involved ensures that Inverclyde will be strongly represented when the battle for the Ram’s Head begins.

Further fixtures and competition information are available from the Renfrewshire XII Province Ram’s Head page.