Curling is a sport that Scots claim as their own. Bonspiels, or inter-community curling matches, are on record from the 16th century. By the 19th century, curling clubs were everywhere. Indoor rinks have concentrated the sport on a few centres.
Curling
In 1776, the curlers of Wanlockhead met the Sanquhar Society of Gentlemen Curlers in competition. On the 22nd of December, 1777 Wanlockhead Curling Society was formed. All over Scotland curlers were formalising the traditional game. There were many local varieties of the sport, which allowed different team sizes, how many stones were thrown, and how points were scored. Some of the competitions or bonspiels started in the 18th century were still being played in the 20th.
There was one point of general agreement: the distinctive blue-grey microgranite found on the island of Ailsa Craig was (and still is) the material of choice for curling stones. The island has been quarried extensively for this purpose, many stones being finished in the Mauchline (Ayrshire) Curling Stone Factory. Older stones are crude, with rough edges and iron handles. Modern ones are regularly shaped, polished, finely finished - and all the same weight.
Curling is an ideal winter sport, mixing vigorous exercise (sweeping) with precision. The Grand (later Royal) Caledonian Curling Club appeared in 1838 to provide consistent rules and regulations. Each player in teams of 4 throws two stones in an 'end' and an agreed number of ends comprise a game. However, as long as the sport was played in the open air the weather and ice conditions were usually of equal significance to the outcome.
By 1938, Galloway's Rhins District Curlers were able to publish an account of their last fifty years of competition. Documents like this are full of detail providing information about society, individuals and even the weather.
Indoor, refrigerated ice rinks appeared in the 19th century but it was not until 1907 thatScotland's first was opened at Crossmyloof in Glasgow. Indoor rinks are often used for skating and other sports, putting pressure on ice-time for curlers. However, dedicated rinks with a large number of lanes were opened in several places before the end of the century.
From Scotland, curling has spread to over 30 nations worldwide, most successfully in Canada where there are more than 1 million players. Teams from all the nations of the British Isles compete in an annual 'Four Nations' British Championship (dominated by Scotland). Curling has its own World Championship (dominated by Canada). It has recently become a sport of the Winter Olympics.
