The exclusive Scottish island that produces the Olympic curling stones

Alex Mead

featured

Feb 7, 2022

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The Island of Ailsa Craig, an island about 10 miles west of the Scottish mainland. The island is 240 acres and now-uninhabited. “Blue hone” microgranite has long been quarried to make curling stones. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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The granite cliffs at Ailsa Craig. Kays Curling has been making curling stones since 1851 and has the exclusive rights to the Ailsa Craig granite. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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A boulder is prepared for cutting in the workshop at Kays Curling in Mauchline, south of Glasgow. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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Kays Curling has been involved in providing curling stones for the Winter Olympics since the Chamonix Games in 1924. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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A workman cuts a stone in the workshop. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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A workman cuts a stone in the workshop. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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A workman cuts a stone in the workshop. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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Machinery in the workshop at Kays Curling. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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A member of staff works on a stone in the workshop. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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A member of staff works the exact measurements on a stone in the workshop. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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A member of staff works the exact measurements on a stone in the workshop. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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Working on a stone in the workshop at Kays Curling in Mauchline, south of Glasgow on January 26, 2022. – Kays Curling has been involved in providing curling stones for… ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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Tool of the trade. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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Jimmy Wyllie, 72yrs, poses for a photograph in the workshop at Kays Curling in Mauchline, south of Glasgow. He started working at the factory when he was 15 years old. His family owns this business. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

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