ice hockey in Scotland is a minor sport, but one with a fairly established presence in each of the population centres. The term "hockey" is usually reserved for field hockey in Scotland, and "ice hockey" is normally referred to by its full form. As with curling (a sport of Scottish origin), the game tends to be more commonly played indoors these days, due to milder winters in the past few decades. Ice hockey is thus played on artificial rinks in Scotland, with the possible exception of street hockey, which is played at an informal level within the country.