2026 National Championships showcase the best of Scottish bowls

Eight memorable days of competition came to a close in Ayr on Saturday as the 2026 Bowls Scotland National Championships brought together players, clubs, volunteers and supporters from across the country.

At least 15,000 spectators attended the National Centre for Bowling during the Championships, which ran from Saturday 8 to Saturday 15 August and crowned champions across 25 youth, para, senior and open disciplines.

More than 1,250 player places were filled across the eight-day programme, with over 300 clubs represented from throughout Scotland. From nine-year-old qualifiers to some of the country’s most decorated players, the event once again reflected the breadth of the Scottish bowling community.

Building on the excitement generated by the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Championships provided another major stage for bowls in Scotland. Established names added further titles to their records, new champions emerged and players of different ages and classifications competed during a packed programme.

Supporters were treated to close finishes, memorable shots and a welcoming atmosphere around the greens, while the event brought together the many different strands of the sport in one national celebration.

Bowls Scotland Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Dingwall-Smith said:

“The National Championships have again been a great success. I would like to thank the players, umpires, volunteers and staff for making it such a special event.

“The atmosphere around the venue was fantastic and the quality of bowls on display throughout the week was superb. Congratulations to all our champions across the under-18, under-25, over-55, para, gents, ladies and mixed pairs competitions.

“Following on from the Commonwealth Games, we wanted to put on a competition that would showcase the best of bowls. Whether people watched in person, online or on the BBC, I believe we achieved that.

“Hopefully, we can build on this momentum to encourage more people to join their local club and give bowls a go.”

History made on Finals Day

The final day produced two significant achievements in the blue-riband singles events.

Blackwood Victoria’s Iain McLean defeated Inverurie’s Colin Banks 21-7 to win his third consecutive and fifth overall Gents Singles title, extending his record as the most successful player in the history of the event.

In the Ladies Singles, Dumbarton’s Emma MacLeod successfully defended the title she won in 2025. MacLeod defeated Newton Stewart’s Izzy Graham 21-10 to become a back-to-back national champion.

Their victories concluded a week in which titles were shared among clubs from across Scotland, from youth and under-25 competitors to senior and para bowlers.

The Championships also demonstrated the accessibility and generational reach of the sport. One of the stories of the week came from Aberchirder Bowling Club, whose Gents Fours team included three generations of the Beaton family: Willie, his son Kevin and nine-year-old grandson Brodie.

Eight days of live coverage

Every day of the 2026 National Championships was available to watch live, with Play Vision delivering coverage throughout all eight days on the Bowls Scotland Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Four national finals were also broadcast exclusively by the BBC: the Mixed Pairs, Para PD Pairs, Ladies Singles and Gents Singles. The expanded coverage gave supporters unable to attend in person the opportunity to follow the action from Ayr and helped showcase Scottish bowls to a wider audience.

The Championships also featured on BBC Reporting Scotland, which reported live from Ayr and filmed a special segment at the venue. Crooksmoss Bowling Club’s Alan Fortune, who went on to win the Gents Over-55 Singles title, joined the programme for a live interview as the event received further exposure across Scotland.

Together, the daily Bowls Scotland livestreams, BBC finals and Reporting Scotland feature brought the Championships to audiences well beyond Ayr and provided a valuable platform for the players, clubs and volunteers at the heart of the event.

More than the competition

The action on the greens was supported by a busy programme around the venue, including the Bowls & BBQ evenings, Ladies Day, sponsor activations and opportunities for visitors to learn more about the work of Bowls Scotland’s partners.

Spectators could also visit the Erskine Veterans Charity and Gallagher stalls in the catering tent, take part in daily raffles and enjoy the wider event experience throughout the week. These activities helped make the Championships a gathering for the whole bowls community as well as the pinnacle of the domestic competitive calendar.

Bowls Scotland would like to thank National Championships title sponsor Gallagher, alongside Willie Wastles, Puffers Café, Audiology House and all the sponsors and partners whose support helped make the event possible.

Thanks also go to Play Vision for delivering the livestream across all eight days, as well as the BBC for its coverage of four national finals.

The Championships could not have taken place without the commitment of the volunteers, umpires, officials and staff who contributed throughout the week. Their time, knowledge and enthusiasm were central to the successful delivery of the event.

Among those recognised was Roger Black, who brought his 30-year involvement as an umpire at the National Championships to a close. His remarkable service reflects the dedication of the officials who have supported the event over many years.