Ian Bowhill won a pairs waltzing competition with Vera Jeffrey at the East of Scotland Figure Skating Club in Edinburgh Ice Rink in 1924 at the age of 21. He went on to become a Scottish figure skating champion and represented Great Britain at the 1928 Winter Olympics. In 1929 he finished seventh (and last) at the World Championships, behind the three-time Olympic gold medallist Gillis Grafström. In 1932, Bowhill won his only British Championship title, ending the 10-year winning streak of Jack Page, who did not defend his title that year. Bowhill announced his retirement shortly afterwards and became a skating examiner and judge.