Vintage curling stone found in blocked drain

A farmer was left surprised when he discovered it was a 150-year-old curling stone which had blocked a field drain near his home.

Robert Barr was in the fields surrounding his house at Woodhouse Manor in Peebles when he unearthed a rock which he thought was just an old stone of no significance.

However, after approaching a member of a local curling club in Peeblesshire, Robert discovered he had dug up an antique curling stone.

The stone weighed 41lb, with the typical weight of a curling stone sitting between 38 and 44lb and being made out of Whinstone.

Peebles Curling Club was formed in 1821, around 40 years before the stone is believed to have been made.

And Roger Scott, a member of the club, says it is likely there are more old stones in the area.

He said: “We do not have actual evidence that curling was played in the area of Woodhouse Manor in the Manor Valley but given the moderately flat land, it does seem possible.

“If one curling stone has been discovered in this location within the Manor Valley, there is a possibility more curling stones could be buried within this particular area.”

Roger added: “Soon after Robert got in touch with me, I collected the stone and took it to Ian Sieth, part-time curator of Duddingston Curling Club in Edinburgh.

“The group has formed a museum at Duddingston Loch and, following an inspection, Ian believes the stone is at least 150 years old.”

Picture: SWNS. Robert Barr with the curling stone he found when he was clearing a blocked drain.