Sport

Sporting Traditions

Sport forms the heart of life at Glenalmond College, where students develop leadership and teamwork alongside physical fitness. The school’s teams regularly claim trophies, while alumni go on to represent Scotland and beyond at national and international levels. Parents enthusiastically support this sporting culture, which reaches its peak during First XV rugby matches—students run onto the field to bagpipes before crowds now accommodated by a new 100-seat stand.

Main Sports at Glenalmond College

The sporting calendar follows a trimester structure. Autumn brings rugby for boys and hockey for girls, spring shifts to hockey and lacrosse respectively, while summer centers on cricket and tennis. The cricket program stands out for its matches at the picturesque Big Cricket field and tours to Trinidad, Sri Lanka, and India. Beyond these core offerings, students can pursue:

• Football
• Athletics
• Sailing
• Golf
• Equestrian sports

Golf School

A PGA professional leads the golf program, tailoring instruction from beginners through to aspiring elite players. Students work on the school’s nine-hole course—designed by James Braid—and train at the Golf Hub, where Flightscope technology tracks ball flight and swing mechanics across two hitting zones. Indoor facilities enable year-round practice, complemented by golf-specific strength training, while inter-school matches and internal tournaments provide competitive experience.

Sailing and Equestrian

The sailing program has operated since the 1950s at Loch Earn, where the school’s fleet—Toppers, Lasers, Wayfarers, and International 420s—serves students training in RYA style. Each season culminates in the Brown Cup regatta, preceded by sessions with leading Scottish coaches. Equestrian activities run through partnerships with local stables, coordinated by a staff member and alumna who maintains a small livery farm of 10 ponies near campus. Students also train at the Pony Club-accredited Wester Dowald Equine center, earning recognized badges.