The Ailsa Craig is sometimes known as Paddy's Milestone as it sits between Scotland and Ireland. In the 1800s as many as 29 people lived on the island's 245 acres working the quarries but today the massive rock is uninhabited. A curling sheet is 46 yards long and 14 feet wide. On either end is a house painted into the ice with concentric circles. In the center is the button, the ultimate goal.
Curlers attempt to slide the stones as close as possible to the button.
Each curling team is comprised of four players, all of whom will deliver two stones in alternate turns with the opposing team. When all eight stones are delivered, it constitutes and end. A point is scored for each curling stone that winds up closer to the button than the opponent's stones. Thus, only one team can score in any given end and the number of points can range from one to eight. If no stones from either team wind up in the house no points are scored in that end.