Edinburgh Croquet Club

The Edinburgh Croquet Club, located in the beautiful surroundings of Lauriston Castle in Edinburgh, offers a unique and scenic place to enjoy the game of croquet. With its lawns overlooking the waters of the Firth of Forth, players are treated to a magnificent view while playing this strategic and skilful game.

On the club's website, visitors can find information about the club's activities and facilities, as well as details on how to participate in this engaging sport. The “Learn to Play Croquet with Us” page provides information on taster sessions for those interested in getting started.

The club is fortunate to have access to lawns with a stunning view of the Firth of Forth and, on occasion, even a rainbow. The introduction to croquet on the website provides valuable information on the two forms of the sport: Golf Croquet and Association Croquet. Visitors can also learn about the history of croquet in Scotland and its impact on popular culture.

Golf Croquet, explained on the site by Fergus McInnes, can be played by up to four players. In a game with two players, one takes red and yellow while the other takes blue and black. If there are four players, they play in partnership – red and yellow against blue and black. Play is in strict rotation, with each turn consisting of one stroke only.

The game starts with a coin toss to determine the pair of colours the winner will take. Blue, or green in alternate coloured balls, always plays first. Players start from within one yard of corner four and aim to hit the first hoop. The first player to run the hoop scores a point, and all players move on to the next hoop.

The game continues until one side has scored seven points, and if the scores are level after 12 hoops, the 13th hoop is played again. It is not necessary to run a hoop completely in one turn to score it, and if a ball starts to run a hoop but gets stuck partway, opponents have the opportunity to knock it back out before it finishes running the hoop. Players also have the option to play towards the next hoop if they believe another ball is certain to score it, but only up to the halfway point.

In case a ball goes off the court, it is replaced on the boundary at the point it went off, not on a specific yard line. Penalty spots are also implemented if a ball is played beyond the halfway line towards the next hoop. There are two penalty spots, one on each of the East and West boundaries, halfway along and opposite the peg. The opponent of the player with the penalised ball chooses which spot to place their ball.

The Edinburgh Croquet Club welcomes players of all skill levels to join their community and enjoy the game of croquet against the backdrop of the Firth of Forth. Contact information and details on club tournaments can be found on the website. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, the club offers an excellent opportunity to learn and play croquet in an idyllic setting.