A visionary entrepreneur from Stranraer played a pivotal role in 1970, laying the groundwork for Scotland to produce a multitude of successful curlers who would go on to excel on the global stage.

In 1961, Hamilton "Hammy" McMillan and his wife Janet acquired the North West Castle hotel, subsequently expanding its accommodations from 12 to 30 bedrooms, a move that would have a significant impact on the local community.

Six years later, the McMillans made a shrewd business decision, incorporating a unique feature that would set their hotel apart: the world's first hotel-based ice rink, a niche addition that would prove to be a masterstroke.

Over the course of 56 years, the Stranraer ice rink has left an enduring mark on the world of curling, producing an impressive array of European, World, and Olympic champions who have brought glory to the sport.

The McMillan family has been instrumental in this success, with Hammy's son, also named Hammy, winning five European championships, and Vicky Wright claiming Olympic gold at the 2022 Beijing Games.

Now, two of Hammy's grandsons are setting their sights on Olympic glory, aiming to make their mark at the upcoming Milano Cortina winter games.

Hammy McMillan Jr and his cousin Grant Hardie will join fellow Stranraer native Bobby Lammie as part of Team GB, led by skip Bruce Mouat, as they strive for success on the international stage.

Gail Munro, Hammy Sr's daughter, is the youngest of five siblings and has been an integral part of the hotel's management team for nearly 20 years, overseeing the ice rink's operations.

Gail's connection to the ice rink dates back to her childhood, when she was just four years old and the rink was first built, an experience that has shaped her life and informed her role as manager.

According to Gail, the idea for the ice rink was initially sparked by local curlers who were tired of traveling long distances to Ayr or Glasgow to participate in their sport, highlighting the need for a dedicated facility in Stranraer.

Hammy Sr, a shrewd businessman, was also motivated by the desire to retain local curlers and their spending power, rather than seeing them leave the hotel to compete elsewhere.

Gail recalled how local curlers would often say to her father, "Hammy, we wouldn't need to go away if you would just build us an ice-rink," a request that ultimately led to the construction of the rink.

"The next thing we knew, my dad had submitted plans, and six months later, we had an ice rink," Gail said, reflecting on the rapid development of the facility, which has since become a hub for curling excellence.

The hotel's history dates back to 1819, when it was first built by Arctic explorer Rear Admiral Sir John Ross, whose nephew James Clark Ross would later discover the magnetic North Pole, establishing a legacy that would be built upon by the McMillan family.

The hotel's connections to exploration and discovery are a testament to its rich history, which has been further enhanced by its association with curling, a sport that has brought international recognition to the town of Stranraer.

It was not until 160 years after the hotel's construction that it would become synonymous with curling, a sport that has put Stranraer on the map and cemented its reputation as a hub for sporting excellence.

The town's curling success story began to take shape in 1979, when local curlers achieved success at the world junior championships, marking the start of a long and distinguished record of producing top-class curlers.

Gail noted that her father, Hammy Sr, did not take up curling until the age of 40, yet he went on to win the senior Scottish championships, a testament to his dedication and perseverance.

The early 1980s saw a surge in local curling talent, with two different teams winning world junior championships in 1980 and 1981, resulting in eight Stranraer curlers achieving international success.

"In 1999, my brother, also named Hammy, won the world championships, and from then on, the success just kept building," Gail said, reflecting on the family's curling legacy and the impact it has had on the town.

Four years ago, Team Mouat, featuring Stranraer's McMillan Jr, Hardie, and Lammie, narrowly missed out on the gold medal in Beijing, but they are now more determined than ever to claim the top prize.

The team has established itself as a dominant force in the sport, with a record-breaking 12 grand slams, four European championships, and two world championships under their belt, and they are currently ranked number one in the world.

Hammy Jr expressed his excitement and determination, stating, "We're super excited, and our aim is to get the gold," as the team prepares to take on the best in the world.

He also acknowledged the vision and initiative of his grandfather, Hammy Sr, who built the ice rink for the community in Stranraer, saying, "It's been amazing, and the community that's down there is just fantastic."

The ice rink has remained committed to serving the curling community, with no skating facilities, a decision that has allowed it to focus on nurturing the talents of local curlers.

Despite facing challenges, including the closure of the Irish Sea ferry terminals in Stranraer in 2011, which led to a decline in visitor numbers, the hotel has continued to thrive, thanks in part to its unique facilities.

The owners have capitalized on the hotel's unique features, including the ice rink, to attract visitors from around the world, offering a range of packages and competitions that cater to curlers of all levels.

Gail explained that the hotel has been offering weekend competition packages for over 50 years, which include full board, curling, and entertainment, a formula that has proven successful in attracting visitors and fostering a sense of community.

"We have anything from 12 to 24 teams taking part almost every weekend throughout our season, which runs for 24 weekends, and the place is just thriving and buzzing," Gail said, highlighting the hotel's ability to create a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere.

Stranraer is one of three towns in south-west Scotland that have consistently produced a steady stream of elite curlers, a phenomenon that has been observed in the region, which is home to fewer than 150,000 people.

The region is also home to rinks in Dumfries and Lockerbie, which have produced an impressive array of past and present champions in both the men's and women's games, further solidifying the area's reputation as a hub for curling excellence.

The question remains as to why this region is responsible for producing 50% of this year's Team GB Olympic curlers, a statistic that highlights the region's remarkable success in the sport.

Gail Munro believes that accessibility and inspiration are key factors, noting that local curlers are able to compete at a high level, which in turn inspires the next generation of curlers.

"People do look up to the curlers," she said, "they are down there on the ice playing club curling as if it's normal, then they go away and the next weekend they're playing at European and World level."

Gail recalled an incident where a professional curler returned to play a club game, and a young 13-year-old boy was starstruck, a moment that highlighted the impact that curlers can have on inspiring the next generation.

"One of the professional curlers came back to play a club game last month, and one of the young boys was so inspired that he couldn't sleep that night, he had to take his brush to bed, it was lovely," Gail said, reflecting on the power of role models in shaping the aspirations of young curlers.

Gail emphasized that the presence of professional curlers in the community is a key factor in inspiring the next generation, saying, "They're an inspiration to the next generation coming through."

After more than 50 years, the McMillan family sold the hotel to new owners in 2023, but Gail is confident that the new owners will continue to support curling in Stranraer, ensuring the legacy of the sport in the town.

The new owners have expressed their commitment to maintaining the hotel's curling facilities and continuing to nurture the talents of local curlers, a move that has been welcomed by the community.

As the hotel looks to the future, Gail is optimistic that the tradition of excellence in curling will continue, and that the next generation of curlers will be inspired to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, ensuring the town's reputation as a hub for curling excellence remains intact.

With the 2026 games approaching, the hotel is preparing to host viewing events for the medal matches, should any of the teams advance to that stage.

Grant Hardie expressed appreciation for his grandfather's accomplishments and the impact they had on his life.

Grant Hardie noted that his grandfather is no longer alive, but his legacy lives on.

He recalled that many curlers who competed internationally would return and express gratitude to his grandfather, a sentiment that Grant and his family share.

Grant acknowledged that his family's involvement in curling is a direct result of his grandfather's efforts in building the local ice rink.

Grant believes that his grandfather and grandmother would have been proud to see their family members succeeding in the sport, and he is looking forward to having his grandmother attend the events in Cortina.

Grant's mother, Fiona Hardie, will be accompanying the team to Italy, where she will be joined by the parents of Hammy and Bobby.

Fiona is confident that her father's lasting impact on curling will be remembered as his most significant achievement.

According to Fiona, her father was a strong supporter of young curlers and took great pride in the accomplishments of his grandchildren, often traveling to watch them compete.

Fiona stated that her parents were always enthusiastic about watching their grandchildren play, and she knows that her father would be proud to see her attending the events in Cortina.

The McMillan family maintains a strong connection with the hotel, which has been an important part of their lives.

As the ice-rink manager, Gail is dedicated to promoting the sport of curling in Stranraer, encouraging people of all ages and skill levels to participate and ensuring the game's continued growth and success.