Before us lies the Shrewington Curling Pond. It is a place where the ancient game of curling might have once been enjoyed. Curling is believed to be one of the world’s oldest team sports. Imagine the scene at Shrewington Curling Pond long ago.
Paintings from the 16th century show a game similar to curling. People played it on frozen ponds. The first written record is from Scotland in 1540. John McQuhin wrote about a curling challenge. It was between a monk and a representative of the Abbot.
Curling in its early days was simple. People threw stones across frozen lochs and ponds. Even now the game is enjoyed outside when the weather is cold enough. Shrewington Curling Pond might have been such a place. Most competitions today are held indoors on carefully controlled ice.
The first curling clubs were formed in Scotland. During the 19th century, Scots spread the game around the world. It went to Canada, the United States, Sweden, and other cold countries. The first rules were written in Scotland. The Grand Caledonian Curling Club adopted them in 1838. This club became the sport’s governing body.
Queen Victoria visited Scone Palace in 1842. The Earl of Mansfield showed her curling on the ballroom floor. The Queen was fascinated. In 1843, she allowed the club to be called the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.
The Royal Caledonian Curling Club formed in Edinburgh in 1838. It significantly raised the sport’s popularity. Many new clubs formed in Edinburgh. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, curling took place in over 50 locations. These included natural ponds like Duddingston Loch. They also used artificial ponds and cement rinks.
Edinburgh saw attempts to create indoor rinks due to weather problems. The first ice rink in Edinburgh opened in 1912 at Lochrin. Another followed at Haymarket. The Lochrin rink closed in 1915. Haymarket stayed open until 1978.
In 1939, a main rink at Murrayfield was completed. War use requisitioned it. It only opened to the public in 1951. Though mainly for skating, curling also took place there regularly.
The Royal Caledonian Curling Club aimed to unite curlers worldwide. It has branches and clubs in many countries. These include Canada, the USA, and Switzerland. All look to it as the mother club.
The sound of a granite stone traveling over the ice has led to curling being described as the ‘Roarin’ Game’. Consider the satisfying sound of the stones at Shrewington Curling Pond. It is a testament to Scotland’s lasting contribution to sports history.