A FARMER trying to clear a drain near his home discovered that what he thought was a bit of rock was actually a 150-year-old curling stone.

Robert Barr unearthed his find and thought nothing more of it.

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

It is thought that, because the land surrounding Woodhouse Manor in Peebles was flat, that curling was likely to have been played.

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.

Roger Scott, a member of the club, says that it is likely that 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.

“There is no mention of any curling at Woodhouse in the Peebles minute book, which is currently held at the Scottish Records Office in Edinburgh.

“I do know that the Peebles club played long ago.

“If one curling stone has been discovered in this location within the Manor Valley, there is a possibility that 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 a musem  at Duddingston Loch and, following an inspection, Ian believes the stone is at least 150 years old.”

Curling was first recorded in the 16th century and, until modern ice rinks, was played on frozen ponds or fields.