Winter Olympics: How Team GB can add to nearly 500 years of curling history

In the winter of 1540 or 1541, a monk from Paisley Abbey called John Scalter took part in a historic contest against Gavin Hamilton, who was either a representative or a relative of the abbot, in which they threw a stone along some ice. Thanks to notary John McQuhin being on hand to write about it, this is the earliest recorded mention of what we now know as curling (although, strangely, he did not name the winner).

While some may dispute Scotland’s claim to its invention – to which we say “see you on the ice” – there is no denying that this country is a global superpower of the ‘roaring game’.

Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat pictured in action in 2022 (Picture: Andrew Milligan) | PA

And so, as the Winter Olympics in Italy get underway, Team GB’s curlers have high hopes, especially with the likes of Jennifer Dodds, already an Olympic gold medallist, and Bruce Mouat, a reigning world champion and Olympic silver medallist, among their ranks.

But then, after nearly 500 years of collective practice, we really should always be mixing it at the highest level. Best of luck to our curlers and everyone else in Team GB!