Forget the Time Capsule, for Glaswegians of a certain age, Crossmyloof Ice Rink really was the best fun in a million years - even if it was a little past its sell by date towards the end.
Crossmyloof was the place where generations of weans laced up their first skating boots and learned, bit-by-bit, how best to avoid minor injury, with the ultimate goal of showing off to their pals - and that special someone they fancied.
First opened in 1907, the ice rink, which was conveniently situated right next to Crossmyloof Station, was improved and expanded over the years to become the biggest ice skating venue in all of Europe.
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By the 1930s, the fabled rink was some 220ft in length, with mulitple curling rinks and seating for around 2,000 spectators. As well providing fun for locals throughout the year, the ice rink held regular skating competitions, as well as ice hockey and curling matches.
Moth-balled during the Second World War, when it was briefly used for military storage purposes, the rink bounced back in the late 1940s to etch its way into the memories of a whole new generation of youngsters.
Glory days
The venue was the home of the popular and hugely-successful Glasgow Mohawks (later renamed the Glasgow Dynamos) ice hockey team, and regularly hosted curling matches featuring local teams battling against visitors from as far away as Canada. In the 1950s, the rink introduced pantomime ice shows at Christmas time which also proved a big hit.
Weekend visits to Crossmyloof and skating round the rink to the latest chart hits before heading home with a frozen Jubbly is an abiding memory for many who grew up in and around Glasgow from the 1960s onwards.
Recalling the ice rink on the Lost Glasgow group on Facebook, Frances Stobbs wrote: "Went every Saturday morning from East Kilbride.
"Always remember falling in the last half hour when the rink was awash with water, then sitting on the train home freezing with soaking pants, and eating a frozen Jubbly."
Tony Griffin said: "Used to go every Saturday morning in the mid-60s. Loved the music, I can still hear Keith Richards' hypnotic twangy riff on "The Last Time" echoing round the rink as I went swishing around the perimeter. Great fun!"
Anne Jack recalled: "My pal and I got the train every Saturday morning to Crossmyloof station and used to go into the wee shop to get a frozen Jubbly on the way back to the train station - happy days."
Elaine Graham added: "Went here when I was about 11 years old with my primary school Always remember the old skating boots and skating to all the Beatles and the Searchers hits of the time. Great memories."
Closure and fire
Crossmyloof Ice Rink closed for the final time in February 1986. Any hopes that the venue could ever host skating again were crushed permanently two years later when a blaze, which started in "mysterious circumstances" according to news reports of the time, ripped through the building.
The site of the former ice rink is now home to a Morrisons supermarket and car park.
One person who knew the rink better than most was former ice hockey star Kenny McKie, who played for the Glasgow Dynamos in the early 1980s.
Penning his memories of Crossmyloof for the defunct British Ice Hockey Writers website, Kenny spoke of his love for the venue, while also admitting that it was falling to bits by the end.
"It wasn’t much, but it was home," wrote Kenny. "I first laced on a pair of skates at the old Crossmyloof Ice Rink.
"The building had two curling rinks, which were pristine. However the skating and hockey rink had all the charm and décor of a Beirut post office. It really did resemble a bomb site with an ice pad stuck in the middle."
Kenny added: "Don’t get me wrong, I loved the place and still have many fond memories of playing there, but I won’t beat about the bush, it was a dump."
