where are curling stones from

Curling stones originate primarily from Scotland and Wales, crafted from specific granite quarries prized for their unique properties. These stones have deep roots in Scotland's history, dating back over 500 years.

Historical Origins

Curling emerged in Scotland in the early 16th century, with the oldest known stones discovered in Dunblane, inscribed with dates 1511 and 1551. These artifacts, now housed in Stirling's Smith Art Gallery and Museum, mark the sport's ancient Scottish heritage. Early players used irregular pond stones before standardized granite took over.

Primary Granite Sources

Modern curling stones are quarried from just two elite locations, ensuring consistent performance on ice.

Quarry Location| Granite Type| Key Characteristics| Olympic Use
---|---|---|---
Ailsa Craig, Scotland (Firth of Clyde)| Common Green, Blue Hone| Smooth, dense "Ailsa" granite from volcanic origins; ideal curl and glide| Primary source for all Olympic stones 38
Trefor Quarry, Wales (Gwynedd)| Blue Trefor, Red Trefor| Durable Welsh granite; slightly different color and texture variations| Common for non- Olympic elite play 1

Ailsa Craig's granite, formed millions of years ago from rapid-cooling magma, delivers unmatched pebble interaction—that's why every Olympic stone hails from there.

Manufacturing Process

Stones are handcrafted by specialists like those at Kays Scotland (successors to Andrew Kay, who refined the concave running surface post-1870). Rough granite blocks are shaped, polished to 42 pounds (19 kg), fitted with handles, and tested for balance. The process blends centuries-old tradition with precision engineering for the "roaring game."

Why These Sources Matter

No other granite replicates Ailsa Craig's low friction and predictable curl, vital for strategy in events like the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. Research, including a 2022 Laurentian University study, confirms their mineral uniqueness enhances ice travel. As forums like Reddit's r/Curling note, "How It's Made" episodes highlight this exclusivity.

"Every single Olympic curling stone comes from this little island off the coast of Scotland, called Ailsa Craig. And no other stone curls like an Ailsa Craig stone." – Erika Brown, ex-Team USA skip

Fun Fact: Evolution Over Time

From medieval loch rocks to high-tech imports (Canada produces none despite its curling dominance), stones evolved for fairness. Trending discussions tie this to 2026 Olympics prep, with recent quarrying ramps noted in 2025 reports.

TL;DR : Curling stones hail from Ailsa Craig (Scotland) for Olympics and Trefor (Wales) otherwise—Scottish granite rules the ice.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.