Curling house


A curling house was used to store curling stones, brushes and other equipment used to maintain a curling pond and play the game of curling in Scotland and elsewhere.

Introduction

The houses were often purely functional in character, being relatively small and often located in quite isolated places. Some curling houses were built as part of country estates and were much grander in appearance. A fireplace was sometimes present and this ensured some welcome heat for players, night watchmen, etc. The construction was of stone, brick or wood as shown by paintings or surviving examples.

Purpose

Curling stones are heavy objects, and in the days of horse transport and poor quality roads it would be easier to store stones at the site of the curling pond. Additionally the ponds needed a certain degree of maintenance to the water supply, dam, weed control, etc. Tools could be stored in the house. Sometimes a watchman was employed during the season to make sure that all was well with the pond, its ice and the curling equipment. Refreshments would be provided, such as the seemingly traditional pies and porter mentioned as being served at the Eglinton flushes.

Scottish curling houses


Image:FingaskCurlingfromILN.jpg|A Curling House at Fingask Castle, Pethshire
Image:Curling at Eglinton castle, Ayrshire, Scotland.jpg|A curling match at the flushes, Eglinton Castle, Ayrshire, in 1860. The curling house is located to the left of the picture.
Image:CurlingHouseStewarton.JPG|A curling house converted into a dwelling. Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland
Image:Curling House and Pond Stewarton.JPG|The curling house and site of the old curling pond

Decline

Easier transport, establishment of ice rinks, and other factors have in general resulted in the demise of the Curling House. Due to their generally small size, most have been allowed to become ruins or have been demolished.

Sites of curling houses