Fay Henderson’s breakthrough from Scotland’s alternate to skip

She may have been in a whirlwind of training, travel and competition in the last few weeks, but, in her mind, Scotland skip Fay Henderson maintains a clear route map to future curling success.

The 24-year-old from Dumfries in the south of Scotland is skip of her own team in Calgary, consisting of third Lisa Davie, second player Hailey Duff, lead Katie McMillan and alternate Laura Watt. This is the first time Fay is representing Scotland as skip.

This team are three-times national champions, but only now have they had their first chance to represent Scotland at this level.

Team Scotland at the BKT World Women’s Curling Championship 2026 © World Curling / Stephen Fisher

Experience as an alternate pays off

To make it to Calgary, Henderson has had the busiest time of her curling career. She was selected as alternate for Great Britain’s Olympic team in Cortina, which meant her spending time with Team Morrison at their pre-Olympic holding camp before immersing herself in her duties for the duration of the Olympic Winter Games in Cortina.

From there, she joined up directly with her own team to successfully defend their national title and gain the Scottish selection for the BKT World Women’s Curling Championship — an itinerary that could be described as the scenic route to Calgary.

Fay at the BKT World Women’s Curling Championship 2026 © World Curling / Anil Mungal

About her last few weeks, Fay said, “I haven’t seen much of my family or friends recently, but they are all really supportive and they all loved watching curling on TV.”

Fay also believes that her time as alternate for Great Britain — and Scotland at last year’s world championship — has stood her in good stead.

“My experience is that being alternate for the last couple of years has definitely served me well coming into this week. I feel comfortable from the start in every game and I’m grateful that I’ve had that opportunity.”

Fay was alternate for Team Morrison who won silver at the 2025 Le Gruyere AOP Curling Championships © World Curling / Stephen Fisher

A team growing together

Speaking about her own team, she added, “Now we’re ready to show that we’re very competitive on the world stage.”

Fay has fantastic memories of her Olympic experience — “The arena was absolutely amazing. The crowds were fantastic, especially when Italy were playing” — but now, she has a clear forward vision for her team.

“This team knows what it wants to do for the next couple of years and hopefully that’s to be on the world stage. We first won the Scottish championships two years ago and we’ve had the chance to grow as a team — it’s definitely set us up for this. Hopefully, this is the start of the future.”

She added, “We’ve probably learned a few tough lessons along the way as well. You need to learn to take the tough losses — it grows your confidence. You just learn to roll with mistakes and try not to make them again.”

Fay with vice-skip Hailey Duff at the BKT World Women’s Curling Championship 2026 © World Curling / Anil Mungal

Sights set on a successful future

And Fay’s long-term goal for herself and her team is crystal clear: “In four years, I’d love to be representing Team GB at the next Olympics, and hopefully have a world medal round my neck by that point as well.”

“I know it’s a long, hard road to get there, and there’s still many great teams that we need to beat, but there’s no reason we can’t do it. I was alternate at the worlds last year and I got to play one game — I loved every second of it”.

Given her determination and talent, it seems that Fay Henderson is set to feature strongly on the international curling stage.

As she concluded, “I think this is kind of where I belong and where I thrive. So, I’m hoping that’s where I’ll be for the next few years.”