Training camp - QUEENSFERRY 2026

Czech bowlers trained once again in the cradle of bowls - Scotland

Just as herds of caribou always return to their lush pastures in the spring after a long winter, so too do orthodox bowls enthusiasts from the Czech Republic set out in the spring for Scotland, where green plains and mists shroud the landscape in mystery and bowls—a noble game—is revered here as a sacred legacy of their forefathers. This year, for the third time, eight male bowlers and two female bowlers from Czech clubs experienced the hospitality of the people of South Queensferry, determined to further hone their skills on lawns where every grain of sand and blade of grass seems to know the history of this sport.

Our delegation accepted the invitation from the South Queensferry Bowling Club, located in the picturesque town of South Queensferry near the ancient city of Edinburgh, with gratitude and respect. On their grounds, where the grass is soft, lush green, and meticulously mowed—as befits a true temple of the game of bowls—our players were allowed to train and make use of all the facilities the club generously provides. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who so kindly looked after them and welcomed them with a smile into their sporting home.

The weather forecasts did not bode well—rain, cold, wind—in short, May in Scotland as we know it. Yet once again, it turned out that bowls apparently has its patron in heaven: they couldn’t complain about the weather, even though they often alternated between playing in T-shirts and shorts and playing in pants, down jackets, and hats. But the determination of the Czech bowls emissaries remained steadfast, no matter how sharply the wind blew in from the sea.

As is now tradition, the group stayed at the Premier Inn in South Queensferry, just a short walk from the bowls greens and offering, on a clear day, a view of the famous bridges spanning the Firth of Forth—those steel cathedrals of human ingenuity.

The following three days were filled with intense bowls play—there was no time to spare for long excursions or sightseeing, as the participants had come primarily to play a game in which they hoped to match their Scottish role models and friends as soon as possible.

Friday was devoted to intensive training—our players patiently recalled the intricacies of playing on natural grass, which does not forgive carelessness or hasty throws. It was lovely that a group of local children watched the practice and cheered loudly; for them, the colorful balls and the adults’ concentration might one day be a memory of the moment they first saw this strange but charming sport. And we mustn’t forget the field itself—the turf, even after heavy rains, was groomed so perfectly that many a Czech gardener would turn green with envy: the groundskeeper had been mowing, fertilizing, rolling, watering, and performing all manner of other tasks on the grass—tasks unknown to us—for the entire week leading up to our arrival. But let’s let our imagination run wild and picture an old man, half-naked and adorned with amulets made of the bones and teeth of his ancestors, dancing across the green carpet at the crack of dawn and muttering ancient shamanic incantations—at the end of which lie the glowing eyes of the Czech bowls pilgrims.

Saturday brought what we all secretly look forward to at camps like this—a friendly yet prestigious showdown with the local club. Four teams of three faced off; our ranks were bolstered by our recent teammate Dave McCabe and also Alex Hurry (Craig’s father), who has become something of an honorary patron of the Czech expeditions. The home team entered the match with determination, and all their teams initially held clear leads, as if they wanted to remind the Czech guests of last year’s score. However, bowling with calm, composure, and perhaps even a touch of Czech mischief, our players managed to gradually turn the score around until, in the end—with the exception of one tie—the home team lost all their matches. It was a great success; last year’s defeat was avenged and forgotten, and the Czech colors flew high in Queensferry.

Our friends, however, maintained the grace of true sportsmen—after the match, they prepared refreshments in traditional Scottish style, featuring various kinds of pies, both savory and sweet, and of course whisky, that amber symbol of the Scottish soul. The clubhouse, which has witnessed generations of players and their stories, filled with conversation, laughter, and heartfelt toasts, in which words of thanks, friendship, and hope for future meetings rang out.

Sunday morning brought a rare moment of respite. Our ladies finally treated themselves to a short excursion around the area—especially the boat ride between the famous bridges over the Firth of Forth, where steel, stone, and history meet above the restless sea, which must have been an experience the participants will long remember. Others preferred a quiet stroll through the town, where the scents of salty air, fried fish, and beer from the local pubs mingle in the waterfront streets.

After lunch, however, romance once again gave way to competitive spirit—we had arranged another match with the locals, this time in a format of 1 doubles, 2 triples, and 1 foursome. Our team didn’t fare so well in this one; the locals fielded truly their best players and showed the Czech squad that, in this cradle of bowls, there is still room to grow. Nevertheless, Honza and Libor managed to win their match against the experienced local veterans, adding another commendable entry to the Czech bowls chronicles.

In the afternoon, part of the delegation mingled with soccer fans, and to the rhythm of chants and singing, many a Czech voice rang out so convincingly that some participants became “adoptive” fathers (or grandfathers) to the local young fans. In moments like these, it’s easy to forget the fatigue from travel and training and feel like you’re part of something bigger—a story in which sport brings people together across borders, languages, and generations.

Our expedition thus successfully built on last year’s and the year before’s visits, and everyone is already looking forward to returning next year to this hospitable region and the good people who live there.

And for the record of future generations, let it be noted that the participants of this year’s trip were: Ivo Hadrava, Craig Hurry, Jan Létal, Radek Nečas, Marek Sedlák, Zuzana Skuhrovcová, Libor Svatoň, Marek Šveda, Radek Zukal, and Kateřina Žáková.