Question for Scottish mnetters about the curling

[Clearinguptheclutter]

So like many I get slightly obsessed with the curling every 4 years and hear nothing about it in between

I live in England and grew up in Wales. Despite some ice rinks around, I’m not aware of curling being a “thing” at all.

which makes me think, in Scotland is it something that everyone learns as a child? Are there rinks everywhere?
or is seen as a niche/middle class/even elitist thing? Genuinely curious.
it’s a shame it’s not more of a thing south of the border it’s a great game IMO

Big thing in Lockerbie. Lots of sheep farmers do it in the winter.

No idea where you are in the Highlands, but there is most definitely curling at Inverness Ice Rink. I know a number of people who are involved in curling. there are a number of local clubs and there are several local leagues.

There used to be a curling rink near me in the highlands it was basically an area that was flooded and frozen in the winter. Ended up just being somewhere we went to learn to ride our bikes. There was curling in Inverness rink too, also Stirling schools all do curling tasters there or did a few years ago, all 4 of my kids went with school and you often see curling on at the peak centre.

Thanks for these thoughts really interesting! Seems very localised. I’d never have thought it was linked to the farming community.

I had a Scottish friend at school whose parents had been born and bred curlers. I remember them telling me about the Scottish granite being used to make the best curling stones in the world from one specific island. I fully grew up thinking that all Scottish people were passionate about it!

That would be because they were based somewhere with generous snow, the landscape lends itself to the sport. Curling requires a rink, locations of available rinks are hit and miss.

Anyone I know who has tried curling is based in Central belt or West Coast and are 50s/60 - just my experience. It will likely differ across areas in terms of where the rinks are based.

Well everyone learns ceilidh dancing as a child so I guess learning curling might seem on a level to non-scots.

Curling was a bit of a thing among the Young Farmers when I was growing up. I wasn't a farmer so I didn't play.

I do own 2 curling stones though. They sit out in my garden looking pretty

My grandparents (farmers in Argyll) had curling stones which they apparently used on frozen water in winter, they were quite elderly when I was born though so I think it would have been a long time ago maybe 1940s/50s. There is a clip on the BBC website about the production of them from Ailsa Craig granite.

Inverness is definitely not my local area!

Ha no idea but the first time I saw it I thought ‘this must be a joke; what the ice hockey players do in between games’. Still can’t quite see it as an actual sport. This is not the only Olympic sport I feel this way about!

Ceilidh dancing is a complete staple in PE lessons every year from Primary 1 (Reception equivalent) through to whenever you leave high school and so is learning Scots poetry by heart for Burns Night - don't know if either are on the actual curriculum nowadays but they're pretty standard in Scottish schools, which many English people find fairly mind-boggling, so I don't think it's a ridiculous comparison.

I think it is a niche middle class sport - I know two people who curl, both in different clubs.

The same way in England we learn rounders. Not unreasonable to wonder if Scottish DC play curling!

I’m in Inverness rink fairly regularly and there’s always a collection of people with brooms coming or going after a curling session when I go. Haven’t seen any kids or teens learning but I’m mostly there on a weekday evening, I didn’t grow up though knowing anyone who did it.

We do also play rounders in Scotland. It’s definitely more widescreen than curling!

It's not a middle class sport at all.

I’m in between Edinburgh & St Andrews & curling is traditionally a farming sport. Used to be played on the frozen fields. My husband curls & my 2 children too. My mum took it up last year. I don’t but I’ve had a wee go! It’s a very sociable sport, there’s always a meal or at least drinks & a gossip before or after.

Stirling’s the Curling hub where they have the main curling team train.

All primary 7’s (age 11) get a chance to try out curling at the local ice rink in my area.

The main people curling up here are retired. It’s a bit like Wimbledon though, there’s always rinks are currently sold out & very busy!

We have the Glasgow Clan ice hockey team! I went to school with a boy who played but never heard anyone else get into it though.

I know people who curl and have tried it - safe to say the Olympic team won't be chapping on my door any time soon 🤣🤣

It will depend on proximity to an ice rink. But children don't learn it as part of school.

No children don't learn it at school. But clubs/rinks will often do outreach and taster sessions for kids, especially off the back of an Olympic success. Other sports clubs do the same - round here there is a shinty club and a dry ski slope, both run school holiday sessions and clubs for kids.

Scottish here. We have a curling rink in town. It’s used a lot. Kids at primary get to go, local community use it and I do know people travel here.

There is a family run hotel in Stranraer with a full size curling rink in the basement. It was installed in the 1970’s and has produced several world champion curlers. I think I’m correct in saying some members of the current UK Olympic team are from there .

Hammy McMillan playing this year.
And his dad, also Hammy McMillan, was also an Olympic medal winner.

I guess if your family own a rink it would be rude not to be a decent curler

It’s popular where I live as I’m in between two towns with rinks. I wouldn’t say it’s a bit like rugby is outside of the bigger cities ie. Some posh folk, some ordinary folk and farmers!

100% not a thing where I’m from in Scotland (just outside Edinburgh).