A TUESDAY morning in Edinburgh and up by the Parthenon-esque columns of the National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill, a group of women is gathering.

They each clutch assorted implements: a football, a hockey stick, a cricket bat, golf clubs and a bicycle.

Among their number is golfing legend Catriona Matthew, Olympic champion cyclist Katie Archibald and rising football star Michaela McAlonie. There's also the cricketer Samantha Haggo and hockey player Becky Ward, who between them have close to 300 international caps.

They are here to celebrate what is being dubbed as a "Summer of Women's Sport" with Scotland gearing up to host six European and world-class events over the next three months, beginning with the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship on Tuesday.

The tournament, which runs until July 28, will act as a qualifier for the 2020 FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup. Scotland will play its first match against France at St Mirren Park, Paisley, on Tuesday evening.

The Women's EuroHockey Championship II takes place in Glasgow from August 4-10 followed by the inaugural Women's Tour of Scotland cycling event between August 9-11, traversing Dundee to Dunfermline, Glasgow to Perth and Edinburgh via the Scottish Borders in three race stages.

Next up is golf: the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open tees up from August 8-11 at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick. Then it is the turn of cricket with the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Dundee and Angus from August 31 to September 7.

Rounding it off will be the Solheim Cup, the biennial golf tournament contested by teams from Europe and the US, with around 100,000 spectators expected to converge on Gleneagles from September 9-15.

To mark this packed calendar, VisitScotland and EventScotland has launched a promotional campaign #sportingsisters aimed at getting fans along to enjoy the action. Here we meet some of the sportswomen hoping to dazzle on home soil.

KATIE ARCHIBALD, 25, CYCLIST

The reigning Olympic and Commonwealth Games champion got her start racing on Highland grass tracks as a teenager. Archibald, from Milngavie, is a multiple world and European gold medallist. She is the ambassador for the Women's Tour of Scotland.

How did you fall in love with sport?

Trying to be as good as my older brother John. That's what sport has ended up meaning to me: competition. I know it doesn't mean that for everyone, but I love to race and compete. It is rivalry that made me fall in love with sport.

Why cycling?

For a long time, cycling was the way that I got to other sports. I would ride my bike to the hockey club and swimming pool. It was about holidays and being with my family because it is such a social sport. We would go out riding together and cycle touring meant I got to see a lot of the world.

It wasn't until I was a teenager that I combined the two passions of riding a bike and entering races. I started competing through the Highland Games grass track racing. There was a handicap, which meant I got a big head start and a taste for winning very quickly.

Career high?

Winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Career low?

I'm a bit of a misery guts, so I am always convinced that the most recent race was my worst. I will moan to people, saying: "I'm going terribly".

Most sportspeople have an anecdote of when they went against the odds with an injury or setback. You almost can't prosper without these things. For me, it was tearing my PCL [posterior cruciate ligament] in my knee [in a motorcycle accident] back in 2015.

It was Christmas time and eight months before the Olympic Games. You start thinking that it is all going to slip away from you.

What are the biggest misconceptions about what you do?

That sportspeople are motivated all the time. I'm guilty of looking around my teammates or rivals and thinking that I will be caught out as a fraud and can't possibly be training as hard as they are.

READ MORE: Paul McCartney on his love of Scotland and the exhibition of his late wife Linda's photography in Glasgow

My dad jokes about how I don't have a job and I'll say: "But my job is 24/7. I have to look after my body all the time." We say these things and I guess little kids probably believe it, that every breath I breathe is with the ambition of getting a step closer to Tokyo 2020.

They believe it because I say it and I want it to be true, but human beings don't work that way. I do wake up and want to go straight back to bed a lot of the time.

What do you enjoy most?

Going fast and the thrill of racing.

Will you be taking part in the Women's Tour of Scotland?

We are going to be entering a Scottish national team which is cool because it is usually only once every four years for the Commonwealth Games that we get to wear our Scotland kit. What is brilliant about road racing is you can turn up at the roadside and see world-class cycling for free.

Dream dinner party guests?

Caitlin Moran, David Mitchell and Scroobius Pip.

What are your passions away from sport?

Eating cake in nice cafes.

Visit womenstourofscotland.com

CATRIONA MATTHEW, 49, GOLFER

As Scotland's top women player over the past 25 years, North Berwick-based Matthew won the Women's British Open in 2009 and is a two-time winner of the Ladies Scottish Open. She is the European captain for the Solheim Cup.

How did you fall in love with sport?

I was always a bit of a tomboy growing up and trying to keep up with my two older brothers. I was fortunate my parents got me into all different sports: golf, badminton, tennis and hockey.

Career high?

Winning the Women's British Open in 2009.

Career low?

I wouldn't say I have one. I tend to only think about the highs.

What are the biggest misconceptions about what you do?

People's perception of life on tour. They think you are going to all these exotic places around the world where you are on holiday and get to sightsee, whereas you are golfing and working.

What do you enjoy most?

The competition. When you get to the top at a sport, you are very competitive. It is the competition I have enjoyed most and testing myself against the best players in the world.

READ MORE: Summer Reads 2019 – the 20 best beach and holiday books

Are you looking forward to the Solheim Cup?

It has been a big part of my career over the last 20 years so having the opportunity to captain it in Scotland is a dream come true. Looking at the players, myself and the vice-captain, seeing how everyone is playing, the team is beginning to take shape and it is exciting.

Who was your childhood hero?

I don't know if I really had one. There wasn't much ladies' golf on television at that point. It was the era of Sandy Lyle, Seve [Ballesteros], [Jose Maria] Olazabal, [Ian] Woosnam and [Nick] Faldo. I grew up watching those players.

You play all over the world. Is it exciting to showcase Scotland to golf fans?

I've had numerous people phoning, trying to see if I can get them on different golf courses around the country. Some people are wanting to go walking on the west coast, others are coming over to try and play a bit of golf beforehand and making a whole trip of the week.

What are your passions away from sport?

I've not got many passions away from sport. I love sport and watch all kinds of sport. I think my kids get a bit fed up because there is always sport on our TV.

What's the best advice you have been given?

Be yourself and don't worry what other people think.

Visit ladiesscottishopen.com and solheimcup2019.com

MICHAELA MCALONIE, 17, FOOTBALLER

A defender with 11 caps at under-19 level, McAlonie from Edinburgh has a wealth of experience having played with Heart of Midlothian Women FC and Spartans FC Women. She is part of the Scotland squad for the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship.

How did you fall in love with sport?

I have always been a competitive and sporty person. I got into football because I saw the boys playing it at lunchtime in high school. I ended up going for a trial with the after-school team because it was mixed with boys and girls.

I was scouted to go to Hutchison Vale Girls and played there for a year. Then I was scouted to go to Hearts and was brought up into the first team when I was 15. It was good playing at that level. I joined Spartans in 2017.

I have left school and as well as playing football I work at Spartans doing the cafe. I'm going to college in August to study health, fitness and exercise.

Career high?

Playing for my country. It is such an honour. My first game for Scotland at under-15s was against Germany.

How do you feel about playing on home turf at the Under-19 Euros?

I'm excited. It will be great having family and friends come to watch as it's hard for them to travel abroad. I'm looking forward to it because it will challenge us as a team and individually.

Who was your childhood hero?

My grandad was a big part of my football life when I was growing up. Travelling takes up a lot of time and he was there to help with that. He motivates me to want to play the best I can.

READ MORE: Paul McCartney on his love of Scotland and the exhibition of his late wife Linda's photography in Glasgow

Someone I look up to is Scotland footballer Erin Cuthbert. She is not much older than me and played in the World Cup. Claire Emslie who scored against England too.

Do you have a motto?

If it's meant to be, it's up to me.

Dream dinner party guests?

My grandad? I have dinner with him all the time. Will Smith and his son Jaden.

What are your passions away from sport?

Singing. I'm not any good at it, but in the changing room I like to dance and sing.

Do you have a favourite Scottish football location?

I'm a Hearts fan so it would have to be Gorgie.

Visit scotfa.co/ourgirlsourgame and uefa.com/womensunder19/

BECKY WARD, 30, HOCKEY PLAYER

The Glasgow-based PE teacher, originally from Dundee, is a stalwart of the international hockey scene. Becky Ward has competed for Scotland at two Commonwealth Games – Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 – and has 157 caps. She plays for Western Wildcats Hockey Club.

How did you fall in love with sport?

I did a bit of everything when I was younger: swimming, football and gymnastics. My auntie was part of the local hockey club and got me involved. I found that I preferred the team element of hockey to swimming. I was about eight when I started hockey.

Career high?

Competing at Glasgow 2014. The home support was incredible. Playing in the Scotland vs England match was special.

Career low?

I have been lucky in terms of injuries. Probably the biggest low was missing out on selection for the top-flight Europeans in 2013.

What do you enjoy most?

Playing as part of a team. Hockey has taken me to some cool places around the world.

Biggest misconceptions?

I think people underestimate it. Hockey is such an exciting game. The skill level and fitness required make it impressive to watch.

Do you have a nickname?

Wardy or Wardie. That's the team debate: is it an Y or an IE?

READ MORE: Summer Reads 2019 – the 20 best beach and holiday books

Who was your childhood hero?

I'm a big ice hockey fan and my heroes are the 1980 USA Olympic ice hockey team. The team they sent to the Olympics was a mix of college hockey players who won gold. I find that story inspiring.

Are you looking forward to the Women's EuroHockey Championship II?

It is home soil and you can't ask for much better than that. Being back on the pitch where we competed in Glasgow 2014 will be special.

What are your passions away from competing?

I'm an ice hockey fan. I support the Dundee Stars. I like to go watch them play if I am not busy training or competing. I'm also a big movie fan.

Dream dinner party guests?

Sir David Attenborough, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Freddie Mercury and Led Zeppelin.

Visit scottish-hockey.org.uk

SAMANTHA HAGGO, 26, CRICKETER

Samantha Haggo hails from a cricketing family: her uncle David Haggo was a wicketkeeper for Scotland and her father Allan Haggo is an international umpire. The Edinburgh-based player, originally from Prestwick, has gained 110 caps. Her day job is working for Judo Scotland.

How did you fall in love with sport?

Cricket is ingrained in my family. I couldn't avoid it and luckily got the love for it as well. I'm a big football fan and used to play tennis. Sport has been there from the start.

Career high?

Reaching 100 caps. When I was 11 and asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, I said I wanted to play cricket for Scotland. My 100th cap was a special moment because it showed I had reached that pinnacle.

Career low?

I broke my finger in the warm-ups of the World Cup qualifier in Colombo in 2017. I was ruled out of the tournament. I had been training so hard for it all winter. That was a low point.

What are the biggest misconceptions about what you do?

That cricket is boring and there is a lot of standing around. It is an incredibly exciting sport. There is so much going on from the tactical elements to the unbelievable athleticism cricketers need to pull off a diving catch or hit a huge six.

What do you enjoy most?

I'm a bowler and I love the battle you have with the batter. You have six bowls each over and that is six opportunities to try and outsmart them and get their wicket. I love fielding and trying to take a spectacular catch.

Do you have a nickname?

I have probably the most nicknames of anyone in the world. My main one isn't very PG. It's "Shaggo" because my name is S Haggo. I also get called "Haggis".

Who do you most admire?

Dame Katherine Grainger. She came second at the Olympics three times and then finally won gold. I met her at a sporting event a few years ago. Her story has stuck with me through tough times. If you put the hard yards in, you will be rewarded for it.

Do you have a motto?

Never give up. I have always had a fire in my belly and a positive mental attitude.

What are your passions away from sport?

I've recently started a new job in communications and marketing at Judo Scotland. That is exciting and I'm enjoying it. I love being outdoors and exploring Edinburgh's brunch spots in my spare time. My other big passions are musical theatre and yoga.

READ MORE: Paul McCartney on his love of Scotland and the exhibition of his late wife Linda's photography in Glasgow

What are you looking forward to about the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier?

The fact we have a home advantage. A lot of people rely on social media to follow our games wherever we are in the world, so it will be nice to have them come along to watch and hopefully challenge the misconceptions that women's sport and cricket are boring.

Visit cricketscotland.com