HAMMY MCMILLAN & LEWIS GIBSON

AYRSHIRE’S SPORTING HEROES CONTINUE TO SHINE

Michael Hamilton

I previously highlighted two world-class athletes with strong links to Ayrshire, and I wanted to shine the spotlight on them once again.

Hammy McMillan Jr., from Stranraer, and Lewis Gibson, from Prestwick, have both gone on to achieve major international success in curling and ice dancing respectively. Since I last wrote about them, they’ve each added historic medals to their collections – and it’s fair to say they are putting Ayrshire firmly on the map.

When I first wrote about Hammy, he was already an Olympic silver medallist and part of the world’s top-ranked curling team. His journey from asking for weekends off at Elliott’s to chase curling dreams, to standing on an Olympic podium, was already impressive. But since then, he’s gone one better.

Earlier this year, Hammy and Team Mouat won their second World Championship gold, adding to their first from 2023. It’s a huge achievement, especially considering how competitive the sport has become. The team has now won multiple Grand Slam titles and continues to sit at the top of the world rankings.

This season is a big one. It’s the year before the next Olympics, and Team Mouat has started strong, winning three of their first five events, including another Grand Slam. They will be the team that represents Team GB in Milan in 2026. They got the call in July and Hammy is keen to go one step further and take home the gold. This Olympics will be extra special for Hammy and for Lewis as they will get the full Olympic Village experience this time, and not a land of isolation and endless COVID tests.

“We can’t wait to get out to Cortina for the games. It’s been an incredible last 12 plus months. Becoming the first team to win four Grand Slams in a single season and top it off with winning the World Champs again was insane – but to be selected again to represent Team GB and getting the chance to go one better in February in front of the crowds, our family and friends, will be special. Just a couple of weeks ago we won another Grand Slam solidifying our name at the top of the rankings. We have three more Slams and the European Championships before the Olympic prep kicks off in January with a holding camp and finally flying out on 8th February.”

Away from the ice, Hammy is the only member of the team with another job. He works part-time as a Curling Development Officer in Stirling, running learn-to-curl sessions and helping grow the sport. It’s a role that fits well with his experience and profile, and he’s grateful for the flexibility it gives him.

“I love giving back to the sport, getting involved in coaching and seeing people love it the way I do. The Olympics is once every four years and the whole of GB has eyes on the sport and we have to capitalise. I’m going to have to do a shameless plug here, but get onto Trycurling.com, put in your postcode and give it go, especially around the Olympics when there a massive buzz.”

Right now, though, the focus is clear: Olympic gold. And based on how things are going, they’ve got a real chance.

“We (Team Mouat), just can’t wait to get out there, throw on the red, white and blue of Great Britain on our backs again in Italy. It’s the biggest honour I think you can have as an athlete competing at a games and we are lucky to get chance to do that twice and hopefully go one better.”

Lewis Gibson’s story is just as impressive. When I first wrote about him, he was already making waves on the international ice dancing scene with partner Lilah Fear. Since then, they’ve made history.

In March 2025, Lewis and Lilah won bronze at the World Championships in Boston. It was the first time a British ice dance team had medalled at Worlds since Torvill and Dean in 1984. That’s a 41-year gap – and a huge moment for British figure skating.

“When Lilah and I stood on that podium, it didn’t really sink in straight away that we’d broken a 41-year drought. Torvill and Dean are legends, they inspired so many people, including me. After all, I did start after watching Dancing on Ice. To be the first British team to medal at Worlds since them is surreal, but also really special. It shows that British ice dance is in an exciting place again.”

Their success didn’t come out of nowhere. Over the past few seasons, they’ve built a reputation for creative routines and strong technical performances. They’ve won seven British national titles, eight Grand Prix medals, and five Challenger Series golds. This year alone, they’ve taken silver at the Grand Prix de France and gold at the Nebelhorn Trophy.

“We’ve learned so much over the last few seasons not just about skating but about trusting our instincts and staying true to who we are as performers. Every programme we create feels like another layer of who we are as a team, and I think that growth has really started to show in our performances and competitive mindset this year.”

Lewis’s impact goes beyond medals. He’s one of the few openly LGBTQ+ athletes in figure skating and has spoken frankly about the importance of representation in sport. His honesty and visibility have made him a role model for many young skaters.

“When I was younger, I didn’t really see anyone in skating who I felt represented me. To now be visible and open about who I am and to know it might make someone else feel like they belong and can perform and skate in an authentic way to themselves, that means a lot. At the end of the day, sport should be a space where you can show up as your full self and still chase excellence.”

With the 2026 Olympics on the horizon, Lewis and Lilah are in a strong position. Their routines continue to impress judges and fans alike, and they’ve shown they can compete with the very best.

“The focus now is to keep building on each competition. Each training week is a chance to refine what we’re doing. Milan 2026 is the big goal, of course, but it’s about making sure we arrive there as the best version of ourselves physically, mentally, and artistically. We want to leave everything we have out there.”

Hammy and Lewis might compete in very different sports, but their stories share a lot of similarities. Both have faced setbacks and used them as motivation. Both have built strong teams around them. And both have gone on to achieve things no one from Britain had done in years.

They’ve also stayed connected to their roots. Hammy still works in development, helping others get into curling. Lewis continues to speak about his journey and the importance of being yourself in sport.

Their success is a reminder that world-class athletes can come from anywhere – even small towns in Ayrshire. And with Milan 2026 just around the corner, there’s every chance we’ll see them both back on the podium.