Ailsa Craig
| Use attributes for filter ! | |
| Area | 99 |
|---|---|
| Highest elevation | 3381109 |
| Island group | Firth of Clyde |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Did you know | Ailsa Craig produces two types of granite for curling – Blue Hone and Common Green. |
| Date of Reg. | |
| Date of Upd. | |
| ID | 1163237 |
About Ailsa Craig
Ailsa Craig is an island of 99 hectares in the outer Firth of Clyde, 16 kilometres west of mainland Scotland, upon which blue hone granite has long been quarried to make curling stones. The now uninhabited island is formed from the volcanic plug of an extinct volcano.
The Olympic curling stones crafted in Scotland
... They are hand-crafted at Kays Curling s workshop in Mauchline, Ayrshire, using granite from the island of Ailsa Craig...
In pictures: clouds they create the perfect conditions for a breathtaking sunset
... Ailsa Craig is visible on the horizon...
The Olympic curling stones crafted in Scotland
Curling is back in the spotlight at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics - and all The Stones used by the competitors originate from an uninhabited Scottish island.
They are hand-crafted at Kays Curling's workshop in Mauchline, Ayrshire, using granite from The Island of Ailsa Craig .
The Company 's stones are the only ones used in competition by The World Curling Federation.
Kays Curling was founded in 1851, and has been providing curling stones for the Winter Olympics since the Chamonix Games in 1924.
The Company 's director is 72-year-old Jimmy Wyllie, who began working there at the Age Of 15.
He told: " The history books tell us that curling stones have been made from Ailsa Craig material for probably at least 200 years now.
" There are two sources on The Island and in The Good old days you could have a pair made from either. "
Today, those two types of granite are combined to make one stone. Common Green granite is used for the main body, before Blue Hone granite is added.
Workers produce one stone per hour, a total of 38 stones a week. Each one is checked for shape and balance to ensure they meet Olympic requirements.
All images by Andrew Buchanan .
Source of news: bbc.com
