Curlers from Scotland Arrive in St. Andrews, NB for Historic Strathcona Cup at the Heather Curling Club

The Strathcona Cup, the oldest running international bonspiel in the world, came to Saint Andrews, NB, on Tuesday for the first time in the cup's 120 year history with Team Scotland arriving at the Heather Curling Club. Traditions play an important role in the historic competition between Canada and Scotland, which is held every five years since in 1903, with Team Canada and Team Scotland making their way behind a bagpiper.

"It's a very prestigious event, and it is our first time hosting the Strathcona Cup at the Heather Curling Club," said Roger McNabb, President of the Heather Curling Club.

The players representing Canada in game 20 all come from the Heather Curling Club. 

"We were fortunate enough to have enough players from our own club who wanted to play," said Vice President of the Heather Curling Club, Sue Lankish-Lister.

The month-long curling bonspiel brings together 60 male curlers from Scotland to play against Canadian curlers, with 20 Scots competing in an Atlantic Canada leg of the tour, 20 in Central Canada and 20 in Western Canada. David McKay of Royal Caledonian Curling Club in Edinburgh says being chosen to represent Scotland in Canada is a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

"It's the oldest international curling cup in the world. It's been going on since 1903. It's a fantastic honour to be selected and to play, and it's great to come to a different part of Canada. I've been to Ontario three times before, but I've always wanted to come to the Maritimes. 

Canadian curling icon Wayne Tallon has been chosen to escort Team Scotland during their time in New Brunswick before the East Tour makes their way next to Quebec City and Montreal before ending in Ottawa. 

"I've been fortunate enough in my curling career to be a part of a few national championships," said Tallon. "And it's an honour to be the escort for this important event."

At the end of the tournament, the accumulative wins and losses are added up to determine who wins the Strathcona Cup. But most players will tell you, it isn't about who wins the trophy, although Canada is the defending, champ, it's about international comraderie and love of the game.