President’s Message 2026

It is an honour to be elected President of Bowls Scotland in what promises to be a very busy and exciting year for our sport, with the Commonwealth Games coming to Scotland.

I am very much looking forward to supporting the Scottish National Teams throughout the year, as well as visiting clubs and events across the country during my Presidential year.

My thanks go to Immediate Past President Keith, who will be a very hard act to follow. He has a fountain of knowledge which I will no doubt call upon during my Presidential year, and this will help me support Vice President Rae and Junior Vice President Maureen to the best of my ability.

I have attended the National Finals at Ayr for many years, and it has been fantastic to see the event grow into what it is today. For many bowlers, Northfield is seen as the ‘Home of Bowls’, with players across the country striving to ‘get to Ayr’ every year.

Living in a small village, I was introduced to bowls when I was 12 years old and have been hooked ever since. My school holidays were spent at Macmerry Bowling Club, playing most days and helping auld Eck cut the green. My hero in those early days was Willie Wood, so when he was playing at Macmerry, I would ‘double cut’ the green to make sure it was running well.

It is hard to believe that was nearly 60 years ago, and Willie is still playing at a top level. That is the beauty of bowls. It is a sociable sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

My thanks also go to Macmerry, Danderhall, Dalkeith and my current club, Spittal, for their support over the years. It was an honour to represent my country at international level, and I am very much looking forward to meeting auld friends and making new ones as President of Bowls Scotland.

I wish everyone all the very best for the 2026 season.

Regards,
Sandra McLeish - 2026 Bowls Scotland President