Glasgow 2026 World Record Try Bowls Event
The world record for the world’s largest indoor bowls lesson was broken on Wednesday 15th October 2025 with over 100 budding bowlers taking part in a coaching session which featured several Scottish sporting icons and celebrities at West of Scotland Indoor Bowling Club.
Three-time World Indoor Open Singles champion Stewart Anderson led the lesson, taking time out to support both those young and old in attendance. Stewart was accompanied by Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Para B2-B3 Visually Impaired Mixed Pairs gold medallist Robert Barr, who is a proud resident of Glasgow and will be looking to retain his Commonwealth title at next year’s Games. 16-year-old Scotland under 18 internationalist Abbie Harris completed the star-studded coaching lineup, having proudly progressed through West of Scotland’s thriving junior section since she first took up the sport.
Iconic Glaswegian comedian and Two Doors Down actor Elaine C Smith hosted proceedings with plenty of light-hearted player and spectator interactions throughout the two-hour long event. Also in attendance were former Team GB Basketball captain Kieron Achara MBE, two-time Commonwealth Games Judo gold medallist Sarah Adlington and Glasgow 2026 mascot Finnie.
Many families, schools and community groups from across the city took to the green for a morning of fun, education and sporting inspiration to put bowls and para bowls firmly in the spotlight ahead of the 2026 Games.
Speaking after the event, Stewart Anderson, three-time World Indoor Open Singles champion, said:
“Bowls has given me so much over the years, so to see rinks full of people taking part in lessons is incredible. The atmosphere was amazing. You don’t need to be a pro to enjoy it, it’s a sport for everyone, any age, any ability.
“Hopefully we have inspired a few new players to keep rolling up. The Commonwealth Games shines the biggest spotlight on the sport, and we can’t wait for it to happen in front of new generations of fans in Glasgow.”
Bowls Scotland National Development Officer (West), Holly Hamilton, commented:
“The event was well attended by the local community with a mix of bowlers and newcomers to the sport spanning all ages. The Bowls Scotland team successfully showcased a variety of fun and inclusive Try Bowls games, and participants appeared to enjoy themselves throughout the day. It was a great opportunity to highlight our sport to a new audience in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2026.”
Sam O’Donnell, West of Scotland Indoor Bowling Club’s Development Officer, added:
“It was a great honour to host the Biggest ever Bowls lesson at West of Scotland and see the buzz of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games come alive. It’s another opportunity for the sport to showcase what it can offer while not repeating the mistakes from 2014 when we didn’t create a lasting legacy.
“Our sport holds no boundaries for anyone. Our own club shows that best with our oldest male member at 93 playing against our youngest ever female Champion who’s now only 16!! Let’s hope we create a positive impression with our Glasgow charm during the Games and the sport of Bowls all over the country benefits for generations to come”
The Glasgow 2026 Bowls and Para Bowls competitions will take place indoors for the first time ever. The competition will unfold at the SEC Centre from Friday 24th July to Sunday 2nd August 2026. For more details, please visit: https://www.glasgow2026.com/
If you are interested in giving bowls a try between now and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games taking place, find your local club via Bowls Scotland’s Club Finder Map.