The first organised skating club was the Edinburgh Skating Club, formed in the 1740s, (some claim the club was established as early as 1642). When he returned to England, this 'new' sport was introduced to the British aristocracy, and was soon enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Ice skating was brought to Britain from the Netherlands, where James II was briefly exiled in the 17th century. Ice skating was also practiced in China during the Song dynasty, and became popular among the ruling family of the Qing dynasty. In the Netherlands, ice skating was considered proper for all classes of people, as shown in many pictures by the Old Masters. The construction of modern ice skates has stayed largely the same since then. These ice skates were made of steel, with sharpened edges on the bottom to aid movement. Adding edges to ice skates was invented by the Netherlands/Dutch in the 13th or 14th century.

Skates now cut into the ice instead of gliding on top of it. True skating emerged when a steel blade with sharpened edges was used. Skaters did not actually skate on the ice, but rather glided on top of it. Originally, skates were merely sharpened, flattened bone strapped to the bottom of the foot.

This was done to save energy during winter journeys. Research suggests that the earliest ice skating happened in southern Finland more than 4,000 years ago. 'Skating fun' by 17th century Dutch painter Hendrick Avercamp

3ds ice skating game