The loch was mostly artificial, having been developed as a curling pond, fed by the Hillhouse Burn through seasonal flooding.

This curling loch, covering approximately 0.33 ha and around 2 feet deep, was established by co-operation between the Duke of Portland's factor and the local curling clubs in 1845;[1] the site was prone to seasonal flooding from the Hillhouse Burn and being shallow it froze over quickly and was relatively safe.

Photographs circa 1900 shows a stone built pavilion or curling house at the site with a long wooden canopy and the 1938 Ordnance Survey map shows two pavilions situated on the loch banks either side of the access from Newfarm Loch.

The Dick Institute in Kilmarnock holds oil paintings and photographs of curlers on New Farm Loch.

One, by local artist Alexander MacKay, shows a late afternoon view, there are crowds out on the ice, with a wide range of townsfolk.