Curling stone, which belonged to James Hogg (1770=1835)

Despite only a year's formal schooling, James Hogg, The Ettrick Shepherd, became one of the greatest writers of the 19th century.  He was a friend and contemporary of Walter Scott and William Wordsworth.  Born at Etterick in Selkirkshire, he farmed at Mitchelslacks, Closeburn for a short while.  Later he settled at Eltrive near St Mary's Loch, Selkirkshire.  He was a frequent visitor to the Tibbie Sheils Inn, where this curling stone was kept for him in the stone house.  Hogg was an active member of the Duddingston Curling Society, and frequently curled on St Mary's Loch.