PEEBLESSHIRE curlers are brushing up on their play ahead of representing Scotland next week.

A total of 20 players from the region will take to the ice to compete for the historic Strathcona Cup.

The century-old tournament between Scotland and Canada is only played for on this side of the Atlantic every ten years.

Teams from Broughton, Eddleston, Newlands & Tarth Water, Peebles and West Linton will play their Canadian counterparts during various sessions at Murrayfield.

The Canadian curlers will arrive in Edinburgh on Tuesday as part of a three-week tour of the country.

At stake is the Strathcona Cup which has been competed for since 1909 and is currently held by Scotland.

A piper will lead the procession onto the ice at Murrayfield Curling Rink to open the capital's three-day competition.

Edinburgh Lord Provost Frank Ross, who will throw the first stone, said: “As someone who has spent many enjoyable hours on the ice, I am honoured to be throwing the first stone at this historic competition.”

Bruce Mouat, recently returned from Canada as the youngest ever skip to win a Grand Slam Crown.

The World Junior gold medallist will sweep the Provost’s stone alongside 2007 World Senior curling champion Robin Aitken.

Robin said: “With the Olympics just around the corner and a full house of Scots in the British team, it’s a fantastic time to welcome such a prominent competition to Edinburgh.

“We have enjoyed a friendly rivalry with our Canadian counterparts at all levels of the sport for many years, so it’s a much-anticipated event in the curling calendar.”

Broughton United, featuring Benny Masterton, Douglas McKenzie, John Kay and Robert Dunlop, will be the first local rink onto the ice on Tuesday, closely followed in the afternoon by Robert Robertson, Robbie Brockie, Archie Smellie and Graeme Rodger representing Eddleston.

Newlands & Tarth Water's Alan Rose, Ian Rose, Sandy Anderson and Stewart Cairnd play on Wednesday morning.

And on the Wednesday afternoon the Peebles rink of Graeme Coulthard, Rob Goodburn, Andrew Muir and Roger Scott will be in action.

West Linton's team of Neil Calvert, Chris McDonald, John Dykes and Graham Rosie will face the Canadians on the Thursday,

A total of 40 Canadian curlers will be in action over the three days at Murrayfield.

The Strathcona Cup will next be played for in Canada during 2023.