Kays Scotland Curling Stones
Kays Scotland curling stones are the standard by which all other curling stones are judged.
From our base in Ayrshire, Scotland we manufacture and export worldwide to meet the demand for this growing sport. Scotland has a rich tradition in curling, and we are proud to bring our experience to growing this sport on a global scale.
We are passionate about what we do. Our experienced craftspeople take the raw material of granite boulders from Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde and through a stringent quality process developed over generations, create a product that is both reliable and consistent in play to world competition standards and lasts for decades.
Established in 1851, you can learn more about the origins of Kays on the History page in this website. This About Us page is to tell you what makes our business relevant and special today.
We have a small team of craftsmen supported by our field sales manager and back office staff with years of experience.
If you are interested in the more technical aspects of just why Ailsa Craig granite is recognised as being the finest material for curling stones as well as how the stones are made then we have provided the information on other pages.
If you find yourself in Ayrshire we would be pleased to welcome you and show you first hand just how the stones are made.
Kays offers a comprehensive service tailored to each club’s requirements. Please email or call us to discuss further.
AILSA CRAIG
One of the World's Densest Granites
Kays Curling have the sole rights to harvest Ailsa Craig granite for curling stone production.
Kays have the sole lease to harvest the only known source of, Ailsa Craig Common Green Granite and Ailsa Craig Blue Hone Granite in the world.
It's these rich natural resources together with our experienced craftspeople that ensure we continue to produce the world's best curling stones.
Harvesting Ailsa Craig Common Green granite and Ailsa Craig Blue Hone granite is an operation that takes place as required. All harvests are carried out in compliance with strict planning and environmental legislation.
Once harvested, the granite is then transported to the mainland by boat to be stored in our secure facility until we start the process of transforming the granite boulders into finished curling stones. Stone offcuts are utilised in our beautiful and unique range of giftware.
Sitting in the Firth of Clyde the profile of Ailsa Craig is easily recognised when viewed from the Ayrshire coast. The island was formed as a result of intense volcanic activity 60 million years ago.
As a result of being a strategic landmark in the channel between Ireland and Scotland the island has a long history going back to the late 1500s when a castle was built to protect the island from Spanish invaders.
Ailsa Craig is uninhabited and is now a bird sanctuary and home to large numbers of various species of birds including gannets, razorbills, kittiwakes, herring gulls, shags, fulmars, puffins and black-backed gulls.