By the 17th century, curling had become deeply ingrained in Scottish culture, particularly in regions such as Perth, Stirling, and Lanarkshire. The sport was often played by clergy, farmers, and noblemen alike. Scottish poets and writers, including Henry Adamson, referenced curling in their works, celebrating it as a distinctly national game.

The 18th century saw the formalization of the sport. Curling societies began to appear, notably the Kilsyth Curling Club, established in 1716, which is recognized as the world's oldest active curling club. In 1838, the Grand Caledonian Curling Club was founded in Edinburgh to regulate the rules and equipment of the game. This club would later become known as the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (RCCC)—the governing body of the sport in Scotland.

The RCCC played a crucial role in promoting curling both nationally and internationally. It standardized the dimensions and weights of curling stones, promoted the use of dedicated curling houses and artificial rinks, and codified a set of rules that became the foundation of modern curling.

Curling Goes Global

As Scottish emigrants traveled abroad during the 18th and 19th centuries, they took the sport of curling with them. Canada, in particular, became a new stronghold of the sport. Scottish settlers introduced curling to Canada in the late 1700s, with the Montreal Curling Club founded in 1807, the oldest sports club in North America.

Curling also spread to the United States, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, and even New Zealand, thanks to the influence of Scottish immigrants and international sporting enthusiasm. By the late 19th century, Canada had already begun to eclipse Scotland in terms of participation, infrastructure, and competitive strength.

Canada’s climate was ideal for outdoor curling, and the sport quickly developed a wide and enthusiastic following. Over time, the nation built thousands of dedicated indoor curling facilities and nurtured a vibrant curling culture. Today, Canada is regarded as one of the superpowers of international curling. shutdown123