Why Olympic Curling Stones Cost So Much
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
- A unique granite found on only one island in the world is turned into curling stones. These are the only ones allowed at the Olympic Games.
The granite from Ailsa Craig island in Scotland is recognised around the world for having unique qualities which make it the ideal material for curling stones. Top-spec winter Olympic curling stones cost £750 each which means a full set of 16 is worth £12,000.
Only one company holds the lease to extract common green and blue hone granite from this Scottish island for the manufacture of curling stones. In this video let's join Kays of Scotland and follow the journey of the Olympic curling stone from island to ice.
Watch the 70-minute uncut version of this video over on my new Patreon page: / ruthaisling
Kays of Scotland Website: www.kaysscotland.com
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If we haven't met before... Hi, I'm Ruth 👋 and I recently bought a campervan to travel my home country of Scotland after living overseas for 12 years. I’ve hardly seen anything or been anywhere in Scotland and now is the time to change that!
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00:00 - Visiting Ailsa Craig
05:40 - Granite Harvesting
15:18 - Granite Slicing & Coring
16:43 - Curling Stone Factory
21:30 - Sport of Curling
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There was a lot of footage filmed while visiting Ailsa Craig and creating the video about the curling stones. If you are interested in watching a 70-minute uncut version of this video, it’s available over on my new Patreon page: www.patreon.com/RuthAisling
Over on Patreon I will be sharing bonus videos, live streams and Q&A sessions.
You’ll also gain access to my regularly updated Scotland Google Map which includes 200+ pins of places I’ve personally visited and recommend in Scotland.
Plus, you’ll get sneak peeks into future projects (I usually film videos around 4-6 weeks before they are published on RUclips) and behind-the-scenes photos and video clips!
I hope you enjoy this video today, thanks for watching!
Someone made a fake account of yours.
@@numanuma20 Thank you for letting me know, I've blocked them from commenting now
Thanks for sharing Ruth your a lovely bonnie lassie xx 😘
VERY INTERESTING.
70 years old from New Jersey.
Thank you for the video and information.
Who knew curling stones would be such an interesting topic. Thanks for sharing.
It's so interesting to see the whole process!
You could say.....'It Rocks' 👍🏼
Ugh...a pun isnt a pun until its full groan...😅
That’s what I was thinking
Exactly what I thought!
That was the best documentary I've seen for years. Easy to understand, informative and a subject that very few people know anything about. Your delightful voice is relaxing, clear and really well paced.
Congratulations you are a top class film maker❤
Thank you so much, I'm really glad you enjoyed it and that means a lot!
Agreed!
I will admit I had the closed captioning on to understand what they were saying some of the time.
What a brilliant documentary! Way better than many produced by national TV.
Agreed 👍
Thank you, that is so kind of you to say!
@@ruthaisling - I honestly thought it was a BBC production you had uploaded - I didnt realise its your channel.
How much better?
As a curler this was SUCH a fun and interesting watch! Can't say I ever thought much about where the granite used for the stones comes from... this is crazy! Thanks Ruth xx
Glad you found it interesting!!
I love how this allows people to work with their local resources but in a sustainable and respectful way to the environment.
That's fascinating! Curling is huge here in Canada
I was in school in Canada when Sandra Schmirler was playing. Curling was already popular, especially in the prairies, but grew substantially by her inspiration. Watching her rink win Gold at the 1998 Nagano olympics, knowing she had cancer, was breathtaking. A well-made rock is such a thing of beauty on the outside; now I see its beauty is much more than skin deep. I never realized how different types of granite vary in their properties. I wonder how the blue hone plug is cemented into the common green, so the bond lasts the 20 to 30-year lifespan of the rock? What a fascinating trail from rock to Rock. Who knew that Ailsa Craig was anything other than a bird colony with a lighthouse! What a friendly, informative group of people in this industry. And what a lot of fun to be allowed along on their granite harvesting excursions. Thanks for another beauty.
❤
Thank you so much Eric, really glad to hear you enjoyed the video. It was a fun process making it!
She is a hero ❤ 🇨🇦
I grew up within site of Ailsa Craig and always knew of it's connection to curling, but have never been lucky enough to set foot on the island. It's wonderful that you're highlighting these magical places in Scotland. Keep up the good work Ruth 👍.
What a wonderful view to look out to everyday. I spent two summers living in Girvan and it was my favourite view and I'd never made it out there either! Appreciate you watching Tony, thank you!
My father was born and grew up in the nearest port to Ailsa Craig, Girvan in the 1940's.
Very interesting vid, I learned a lot! 😮😃 A quote from Men With Brooms (a curling move)
“It’s not just a rock. It’s 42 lbs of polished granite with a beveled underbelly and a handle a human being can hold, and it may have no practical purpose in and of itself, but it is a repository of human possibility, and if it’s handled just right it will exact a kind of poetry” 😉😁
Thanks for sharing that!
That was really good, Ruth. I have driven up from Cairnryan and Stranraer for over 45 years from the ferry and had no idea that 'piece of rock' off the coast had such a history. One of the best yet.
Thanks so much Jim, yes it's such an interesting place!
Woo hoo! Ailsa Craig! My ancestors came from Ayrshire (Saltcoats, Stevenston, Kilwinning) and I remember that isle when I was a 10 year old girl who had come to visit cousins, aunties/uncles from Michigan in 1974. My grandparent's emigrated to Michigan in the 1920's and my Grandfather was a miner. I swear my Dad told me my Grandfather as a young man also mined stone there (he was 8th generation coal miner) but I cannot ask anymore. Thank you for this wonderful video!
That's so interesting to know you have a family connection to there! Thanks so much for watching!
This was fascinating I'm going to share it with our curling team here in three forks Montana...everybody's going to love it
Thank you - hope they enjoy it!
Does Scotland Tourism know you are the number one tourism expert ? Another great video Ruth............... thank you.
Haha I doubt they watch the videos! Thanks so much for watching Leslie!
I think it would be a lot of fun to try curling as a visitor to Scotland. This is a very interesting video. Thank you.
I've seen many TV programmes about curling stones but this is the best one so far, thanks.
Probably your best video to date. I've always thought of Ailsa Craig (the fairy rock) by its nickname, Paddy's milestone. Supposedly as it is approximately halfway between Belfast and Glasgow. Well done.
That means a lot, thanks Charles!
オリンピックのカーリング発祥の国スコットランド、そして世界唯一カーリング用のストーンが取れるアルサクレーグ島、まるでキングコングかゴジラが出てきそうですね、草木１本も生えていない岩の塊、貴重な体験ありがとうルースさん、お疲れ様でした、コーヒーでも飲んでくださいね。
こんにちは、小川さん。ありがとうございます。いつも親切なコメントと継続的なサポートに感謝しています。お体にはくれぐれもお気をつけください！
Fascinating! You learn something every day! And my coffee turned cold while watching, so thats a good sign! Loved this vid, Ruth!
Haha oh no, I hope you can heat it up again! Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks so much for watching!
Mine too! I was so involved in watching that I totally forgot about my coffee!
What a very intensive process to source and make these stones. I just assumed they were mass produced like bowling balls and never imagined what a high level of skill and craftsmanship was needed. A very interesting insight Ruth.
It's a very special island with a special story!
National Geographicレベルにクオリティが高い映像ですね。カーリングについての新しい知識が増えました。
I found myself smiling at the accent of Ruth. The it dawned on me my mother was a Scottish war bride. I love the accent.
Thank you 🙏
As a 3 year old on holiday in Scotland, I fell in love with Ailsa...
I'm 65 now and a visit is on my bucket list. ❤❤❤
Wonderful..You need to do it!
Ruth, every time I watch another episode of yours, I am amazed at your versatility in your final product. Production, recording, sound, film, creativity and finding a subject that many people appreciate is proof that you are a special talent. I am speechless about this episode and am surprised that this is not shown in every sports section of any sports channel. And your other adventures are the best travel guides you could wish for. I really follow a lot of other RUclipsrs, but your talent goes above and beyond. Thanks for creating and sharing.
Thank you so much for the kind comments. I really appreciate them!
A truly wonderful video Ruth. I am a curling fan (from the states) and have seen pieces on Kay's before but never with all the access that you were able to get. Simply amazing. On a trip to Scotland I was playing golf at Prestwick and one of the caddies I met was a former member of the Scottish National Team.. I was thrilled. Each week you go above the norm for your videos. So great,,, thanks so much!
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed this one! Prestwick is a good course!
I´ve always known that curling stones came from Ailsa Craig. Spent a lot of time on that coast when I was a child. Very interesting to see the whole story. Thank you !
Glad it could share more details with you! It's a lovely coastline!
I used to work with a Kay some years back. He went on vacation to Scotland and I toured the Kay headquarters, took some photos. Pretty cool!
Interesting! 🙏
Fascinating stuff Ruth! You have such a passion for this type of thing! I once told you that you have the perfect voice to narrate these videos, and I'm surprised nobody hasn't snapped you up to have a history show on TV.
Keep up the great work, your friend in Brazil, Professor Geoffrey.💛
Thank you for the kind comments Prof Geoffrey! 🙏
Tom Scott’s email newsletter sent me here. I love watching curling on TV. Is very Zen to me. Well done on the video. I’ll subscribe and see what more you have.
Thanks very much!
I have always enjoyed watching curling but had no idea how special they are This was an enjoyable video Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for watching!
Fascinating. Ailsa Craig is iconic for everyone who lives near the Ayrshire coast. I knew nothing about it... until now. Thanks.
It is so iconic, on a clear day it's so nice to look out at it! Thanks for watching!
Hi Ruth I seen a program on the TV last week about this granite very interesting and very expensive thanks for sharing carry on travelling and enjoying your life 😊 Scotland is a special place 😊 lol from me in Birmingham xx
Thanks Paul, haha yes I think the BBC are faster at editing since they have a big team! 😂
Great video Ruth! I spent the first 17 years of my life growing up in Girvan but never set foot on Ailsa Craig. I went round it once on the Waverley but that's the closest I got to it! Really interesting to see it through your lens and also follow the production from source to finished stone. All the best.
Thanks Stephen, I grew up near here too and had never been! I've heard a few stories of people going on the boat but never making it due to the weather changing. Thanks for watching the video!
My Ex girlfriends mum lived in Girvan, she moved to Scunthorpe in the 50s
Lovely little place though
Another fantastic and insightful video. Thank you, Ruth.
Thank you 🙏
The island of Ailsa Craig has always fascinated me and when I was still living and working in Scotland and had business trips in and around Glasgow and Prestwick, I would drive down the coast looking out to the west and try to spot the island. Very curious place and its origin being the top of an ancient volcano and then the best place to gather up granite for curling stones makes Ailsa Craig and valuable place. Thank yo for the wonderful video Ruth.
It really is a curious place! Thanks so much for watching!
With the cost of extraction ,I'm amazed the curling stones are not more expensive.
True..
Thank you. Such a great report on a really fun sport. My Uncle took me to his weekly games and Bonspeils when i was 7 or 8. Developed a life long love of the sport. Im 60 today, and though its been many years since I won a trophy, I'd join a game today if invited. Congratulations to all those craftsmen who put so much effort and time into building the perfect Rocks we are blessed with, to play our lovely game. You all do an amazing job. Thank you, dearie, for a wonderful job of filming and gathering all the details and presenting them so fine. You did the sport proud. Thank you from Canada. I had opportunity to enjoy a tournament with high profile teams from Canada a dozen years ago or so and until this video, it was the highlight of my curling adventure. You have created a new highlight. Thank you.
You are very kind! Thank you for watching in Canada and I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🥌
Curling is broadcast on TV here in Canada, the larger tournaments anyway. Many small towns have an ice rink (hockey) and a curling rink.
I remember going to see an ice hockey game in Canada, it was so much fun!
@@ruthaisling There is a women's professional league that is new this year and doing well! We do like our hockey.
Special thanks to you also, very very interesting video.
On a side note immigrants came to Canada and many times named their new home after their old home. There's an Ailsa Craig, Glencoe and Cairngorm in Ontario and they're as flat as land can be 😊
Wow, that's so interesting. Thanks for sharing that information!
This summer I want to go out to the Ailsa Craig and spend a few hours in peace, quiet and tranquility. In fact, I'd love to move down to Girvan. I fell in love with the place in 1990 when I had my 1st holiday there with my now husband. I was only 19 and said "when we get older let's move here" I'm in my 50s now and that ambition has never left me. I'd pack up and move down there in a heartbeat given the opportunity.
Isn’t it amazing on Ailsa Craig!
That was so cool!!! I've watched it on the Olympics over the years, but had no idea there was So much behind it !!! Thank you for taking us through the process.
Appreciate you watching, thank you!
Well done Ruth...the best presentation I have ever seen on Curling Stones either on TV or the internet. This video output of your's will educate many, many people for years to come. My mother used to lecture me on her sport of Lawn Bowls but she also had knowledge and keen interest in curling. She would have taken great delight in watching this had she still been alive...so I will take delight on her behalf !
Thank you so much Chris, that means a lot!
didnt realize so much went into these stones! Interesting!
Thanks for another fascinating video. You are a first-class documentarian. You could do a documentary on anything and make it interesting. The videography is outstanding and the editing is very professional. The aerial videos of the travel to and from the island are truly impressive.
Thank you so much. Taking off and landing the drone from the moving boat was a hairy moment haha, but the drone shot was so worth it! ❤
Very cool! Thanks for documenting this amazing process!
Very interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing.
Pretty cool! Never knew this. Plus its very relaxing!
Stumbled across your YT channel for the first time this evening and what a fabulous introduction to your collection of episodes. Fascinating to learn the history of curling stones. Thank you for making the video. Look forward to watching other episodes.
Welcome to the channel..I hope you enjoy all the videos!
Amazing work you put in on this Ruth.
You should be incredibly proud of this video.
I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Thanks for the free entertainment.
Amazing.
Thank you so much, that means a lot! ❤
Brilliant documentary. Thanks very much. Who would have thought this subject would be so interesting?
Although I was born and reside in the southeastern United Sates, I lived in Irvine Scotland for a year and loved it. Ailsa Craig was a very interesting island off the coast but all I was ever told by the locals was that it was a bird sanctuary. This is fascinating and I love that Scottish accent. Reminds me of happy times.
Glad the video reminded you of happy times! Irvine is a nice place!
We have a city in Southern California called Irvine.
Peace
@@randal_gibbons Ironically I once lived near there as well. I lived in Brea just up the 57 from there. Graduated from BOHS
@@JakeSpeed1000 small world. I was born right next door in Fullerton California and graduated from FUHS.
@@randal_gibbons A small world indeed.
Marvellous, informative video Ruth !
With beautiful accompanying shots !
Truely enjoyable to see the process and the undoubted pride of all involved.
Thanks Andy, glad you enjoyed the video!
Brilliant video & well worth the wait! We live in Galloway & knew about Ailsa Craig granite & the curling stones, but now we really appreciate how unique and special it is. Fascinating documentary - should be on TV. Thankyou & well done. Looking forward to the next one!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😁
Really enjoyed watching this Ruth, very interesting subject! Keep 'em coming!
Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for watching 🙏
Absolutely brilliant! What an informative Vlog. Well done Ruth, thank you for educating and sharing this with us!!
Thanks Dave! ❤
Absolutely fantastic documentary Ruth. I love Curling and my heart skips a beat every time I see Ailsa. Great work. Many thanks.
I know what you mean, mine does too! Such a beautiful island!
Absolutely brilliant documentary Ruth. It should be on TV. Your videos are great and I’m just waiting for some decent weather and I’ll be heading north over the border to explore all the places you’ve shown us.
@user-pf8ns7jm5r not sure what you mean?
I hope you have a great trip to Scotland! Someone else stole my profile photo and was commenting pretending to be me. Sorry about that!
What a fascinating and enthralling video!! I've enjoyed watching Curling since way back in the 70's but never really knew anything much about the actual stones! I knew they were Granit but that was it!!
It’s all so interesting! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Beautiful place. Thanks for sharing this Ruth. Great video, as always.
Thanks Dan!
This is a very good comprehensive and professional standard video. The amount of effort Ruth has put into this, and all her other work, is really praiseworthy. Thanks
Wow, thank you very much 🙏
Well, that was excellent and very informative...i enjoyed it much more than i thought i would 😊! Thank you Ruth 😊.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
Very well made documentary Ruth, that was really interesting and something you don’t think about when you see the sport being played but it makes sense that the stones have to be very precisely made and of just the right material. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Thank you for watching! Yes there so much that goes into it!
GREAT STORY AND VIDEO !!!! THANKS ~~~~~~~
Fascinating video Ruth, and amazing that you got first hand access to the process. Amazing stuff and thanks for sharing. Had no idea just what was involved
It was really nice of Kays to let me join them!
That was so interesting! I didn’t know so much work went into making those curling stones! Thank you for showing us the entire process! The cost is understandable with all that goes into it! Great video Ruth! 👍
Thanks for watching Mary! ❤
Loved watching your video, found it very informative and interesting. Thank you for taking us with you to the Ailsa Craig an island that I’ve admired from the Ayrshire shores for years
now.
Thanks Scotty, I'd spent years admiring it too and never thought I'd get out there!
Fascinating. Thank you very much for this.
Glad you enjoyed it! 👍
A truly excellent videos and a beautifully told story. Thank you.
Thank you so much Nigel, appreciate you watching!
Lovely informative video Ruth wonderful to see how the curling stones are made👍 , I have been around the Ailsa Craig on one of the Waverly trips , one thinks of the life people who once lived and worked on that Island.
The Waverly trips look good! It must have been nice to see all sides of the island! The life there must have been quite tough!
Really interesting Ruth. You have learnt me something l will never forget. Very informative x
Glad it was helpful!
Ruth, another brilliant video, well presented and informative as usual.
Thanks so much Andy!
This is such a great Vlog. The content and the quality is exceptional Ruth. So very interesting. Your presentation is first class. You really explain everything so well, the history, environmentally, production and the sport of curling. The skill of the stonemasons is just amazing. Thank You so much for another wonderful vlog.
Really appreciate all your kind words, thank you!
Brilliant documentary, thank you very much!
Thanks for watching!
Absolutely brilliant video. This was really well put together and I quite honestly thought this was as good as anything you would see on TV.
That means a lot, thank you very much!
Having watched the curling in the Olympics, it was great to see how the stones were made, from start to finish. Thanks, Ruth, for this insight into the sport. As usual, a fantastic video and well worth the wait
Glad you found it interesting, thank you!
Veary interesting .
Thank you Ruth .
I've sailed past Ailsa Craig numerous times, knew about the curling stones, but your great video has filled in the knowledge gaps really well! Excellent work! BZ!
Glad you enjoyed it! 🥌
Thank you, Ruth. We really enjoyed your video. I have a hole new knowledge of curling and am now really looking forward to watching Olympic curling. You are very clever and good at what you do. Well done.
Thank you!!
Superb video. Great topic choice and along with in depth questions. Love this type of topic change from the normal van life vids. Love that your mixing it up.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Ruth: Amazing video! Worth the wait. I have for many years wondered how the stones take such punishment. Such a professional documentary and with your style very entertaining. Thank you.
Thank you so much, yes it did take a lot of time to film and put together so I'm glad to hear it was worth the wait!
What fascinating documentary, very well presented as always. Many thanks for sharing.
Thank you, appreciate you watching!
Excellent documentary. I've long been fascinated by curling and wondered about the production. Thanks for the enlightenment.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙏thank you
Wonderful video Ruth, I learnt so much.
Great! 👍
Lovely and informative. Excellent work.
Thanks Jenny!
Ruth this was extremely amazing reporting - thank you for providing such a detailed video! We thoroughly enjoyed and hope to visit Scotland in 2024
Glad you enjoyed it and I hope you have a great time when you visit Scotland!
Best thing I've watched in ages, Ruth. Fantastic video, super interesting, thanks for sharing 😁
Wow, thank you!
Just so interesting Ruth, I am sure I can say many thanks from all who watch the video. Regards. Andrew.
Many thanks Andrew!
What another wonderful video podcast, thank. you I have learned so much watching this.
I’m so pleased you enjoyed it 🥌
Very interesting video. I enjoy your historical explanation of each area. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Brilliant video Ruth. Thanks take care. Tom
Many thanks Tom 🙏
Excellent video Ruth, fascinating to see how the stones are selected and made and waht a gorgeous Island.
I've always been amazed at how almost balletic curling is so thank you so much for this documentary.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you 🙏
Thank you so much, it is such a lovely island.
Great video , thank you .
Absolutely wonderful production. Everything was spot on. I Could hardly I wasn't watching a TV Documentary. Thank you Ruth.👍
That means a lot, thank you so much!
Well done Ruth. This was an interesting, educational and informative video. Watching a curling stone be manufactured from the raw material to its finely crafted finish was a joy! ❤
Glad it was helpful! I enjoyed making it 🥌
I really enjoyed this weeks video Ruth, It was very well put together I loved it , It was just like a discovery channel documentary. well done keep up the good work . all the best sam
Thanks so much Sam, that's so nice of you to say!
Love the video, I live over on the Northern Ireland coast, see Ailsa Craig, coming home from work, mostly every day when its decent weather. Nice to get a close up view of what it looks like on the island!
Glad you could get a close up view. I'd love to see it from the Northern Ireland side sometime!
Thanks for the video.
Brilliant, loved the story,keep it up, the best I have seen for ages, easy to follow and informative.
Glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for watching 🙏
Fascinating Ruth.
Many thanks for this.
Not surprised about the volcanic origins of this Island.
Thanks for watching Sean!
This was a wonderful piece, congrats Ruth for doing a fine job of telling the story! :):)
Thanks Mike!