Shinty round-up: Lochaber & Skye, February 17 2025
Preseason Friendlies
Kinlochshiel 6 Glenurquhart 2
Kinlochshiel did the damage in the first half as they defeated Glenurquhart 6-2 in their noon throw up at Kirkton.
Kinlochshiel had defender Mark MacDonald back in their squad after he missed the whole of the 2024 shinty season.
Archie MacRae’s double helped ‘Shiel amass a 4-0 interval lead before he went on to complete his hat-trick after the restart. Keith MacRae, John MacRae and Zander MacRae got the others whilst Glen teenagers Charlie Macleod and Alfie Macleod countered.
Kinlochshiel manager Willie MacRae said: “It was a real boost to have Mark MacDonald back. He came off the bench to play a good hour, first at wing centre and then up front. He was a bit scratchy after so long out but he’s a class player who increases our options.
“Mark’s availability will be determined by his work shift patterns, but he’ll definitely be available for our season opener at Oban Camanachd.
“I would have liked a clean sheet, but the boys did very well. We were missing the Nixon brothers, but young Rory Slaughter was excellent at wing back. Archie MacRae was the best he’s been for a while up front whilst David Falconer had a great game at wing centre.
“Finlay MacRae did a great job talking the younger players through the game.”
Glen boss David Stewart said: “It was a good game and more competitive than the scoreline suggest.”
Lochcarron 1 Kinlochshiel 4
The Kinlochshiel colts were 4-1 victors in their 1pm throw up against Lochcarron at Battery Park. Jay MacRae scored twice for ‘Shiel with Rory Barkley and Cameron Kennedy getting the others. The Lochcarron goal was scored by Owen MacKenzie.
Ballachulish 1 Kilmallie 3
The Kilmallie second team lifted the Ian Aitchison Memorial Trophy after beating Ballachulish 3-1 in their 1.30pm throw up at The Jubilee Park.
Kilmallie’s Bryan Mackay scored twice whilst Duncan MacDougall got the other. Marcus Spence scored for Ballachulish.
Ian Aitchison is remembered fondly by both clubs in this annual encounter
Fort William P Lochaber P
Fort William and Lochaber were left without a fixture when their 1pm throw up at An Aird was postponed due to snow on the pitch.
The Fort had planned to operate a Gate collection with all proceeds donated to former Lochaber captain Lachlan Campbell’s ‘Mind Not Defeated’ charity.
Lochaber P Skye Camanachd P
The Lochaber colts and the Skye Camanachd colts were stood down after their 2.15pm throw up at Spean Bridge was called off.
Strathglass P Kilmallie P
The 1pm throw up between Strathglass and Kilmallie was postponed on Friday evening when it became clear that the frozen pitch at Cannich would not thaw in time.
Lochaber P Glenurquhart P
WCA Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup holders Lochaber missed the chance to take the field when their noon throw up against Glenurquhart at Spean Bridge was postponed.
Jenny MacKenzie Is New Skye Camanachd Chieftain
Skye Camanachd have confirmed that Jenny MacKenzie will be the club’s new Honorary Chieftain, taking on the role for the mandatory 3-year period.
Skye Camanachd Chairman John Angus Gillies said: “It has been a privilege as a club to have Mrs Jenny MacKenzie accept the role of Honorary Chieftain for the next three years. Jenny has been involved in Skye shinty since she came to live in Kyleakin in 1970, when she married Iain MacKenzie.
“Both she and Iain (who is a s Skye Camanachd Vice President) have supported Skye Camanachd all over the country, and Jenny has been a stalwart for primary shinty, stretching back to the formation of the Isle of Skye Schools Camanachd Association in the 1980s and continuing to the present day.
South Skye Junior Shinty Club honours Jenny every November with a series of primary tournaments for the Jenny MacKenzie Shields, contested by teams from throughout Skye, Lochalsh, and Lochcarron.
“As well as being a loyal follower of Skye, where she has lived for more than 50 years, Jenny also continues to follow the fortunes of Kyles Athletic and is a familiar face at their matches, particularly in the north.”
2025 MacTavish Cup Draw
The MacTavish Cup, shinty’s north area cup competition, has thrown up a new sponsor and three all-Premiership ties following the first-round draw which took place in Stonehaven.
W M Donald, a civil engineering organisation based in Stonehaven, are the new sponsors and the opening round ties pitch Lovat against Caberfeidh at Balgate.
New Lovat boss Iain Nicolson said: “I’m delighted to get a home draw, but we’ve obviously been given tough opposition in Cabers. It’s been a while since we had success in this competition, so this is one I am keen to get our hands on again.”
It was another tough cup draw for Caberfeidh, and their manager Garry Reid said: “We’ve definitely not been handed any favours in the recent cup draws. That said, we know that no matter what the draw is, we have to beat top teams at some point if we want to win a trophy.
“By all accounts Lovat are going through a bit of a transition, but going to Balgate is always a challenge, and I don’t see that changing in the coming season if we want to win.”
Skye Camanachd, who lifted the inaugural MacTavish Cup in 1898, have home advantage against record winners Newtonmore. Skye boss Willie MacDonald said: “We’re happy to get a home tie and looking forward to what should be another interesting encounter against Newtonmore. In recent times, this fixture has been close but with their new management team, led by Peter Ross, in place and both Daniel Sloss and Matthew Sloss signing, they’ll be a different team.”
Newtonmore manager Peter Ross said: “That’s a really hard tie and not one we would have wanted. Everyone knows how strong Skye are on their home pitch and they have caused us problems in recent seasons. The game comes early and adds to what is already a tough start to the season.”
Holders Kingussie, who beat Fort William in last year’s final, have been drawn against newly promoted Beauly. Manager Iain Borthwick commented: “We’ve a home tie so I’m happy with that but we know what Beauly are about and they gave us a big scare in Camanachd Cup last year so the boys will need to be ready for them.”
Strathglass host Kilmallie and Glenurquhart welcome Inverness so with Lochaber’s bye, three teams from out with the topflight are guaranteed to reach the quarter-final stage. Premiership sides Fort William and Kinlochshiel also received byes.
W M Donald MacTavish Cup – First Round
Strathglass v Kilmallie
Glenurquhart v Inverness
Skye Camanachd v Newtonmore
Kingussie v Beauly
Lovat v Caberfeidh
Byes: Fort William, Kinlochshiel, Lochaber
The W M Donald first round ties take place on Saturday March 29 while the quarter-final ties follow soon after on Saturday April 19 with the last-eight draw still to take place.
W M Donald Operations Director Ian Gray said: “At W M Donald, we believe in building strong communities, and supporting the MacTavish Cup is a natural extension of that. Shinty embodies teamwork, resilience, and passion - values we hold dear. We look forward to an exciting tournament and wish all teams the very best.”
Burton Morrison, President of the Camanachd Association, added: "The MacTavish Cup always delivers drama and showcases the best of north shinty. We’re thrilled to have W M Donald on board for 2025, strengthening the competition as we kick off another exciting season.”
“This initial draw has set the stage for some fantastic contests, and I’m sure fans across the country will be eagerly anticipating the action.”
Camanachd Association CEO Ruari Davidson said: “Building strong partnerships is vital to the future of our sport, and we’re delighted to welcome W M Donald as title sponsor of the MacTavish Cup. Their commitment to community values and sustainability aligns perfectly with shinty’s traditions. We look forward to working
together to enhance this historic competition.”
The W M Donald MacTavish Cup Final will take place at the newly refurbished Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday June 14.
Chieftain’s Cup Launch
The Camanachd Association has rebranded the Single Team Cup, which will now be known as the Chieftain’s Cup, and this year’s draw has given holders Glengarry familiar opposition.
‘Garry have been paired with Lewis Camanachd in the first round for the third successive season and just like last year, they will travel to Shawbost. A trip to Kilmory, who were runners up in both 2023 and 2024, awaits the winners.
Oban Celtic take part for the first time and following a first-round bye, they have home advantage against Lochcarron in the quarter-finals.
A total eleven sides were split on a regional basis for the opening round pairings. The semi-final ties will be played at a neutral venue as the Chieftain’s Cup is a national competition.
The draw in full:
First Round – Saturday April 12
Northern Section
Lewis Camanachd v Glengarry
Boleskine v Ardnamurchan
Byes: Ballachulish, Lochcarron
Southern Section
Uddingston v Strachur-Dunoon
English Shinty Association v Tayforth
Byes: Oban Celtic, Kilmory
Quarter-Finals – Saturday May 17
Oban Celtic v Lochcarron
Kilmory v Lewis Camanachd / Glengarry
English Shinty Association / Tayforth v Ballachulish
Ardnamurchan / Boleskine v Uddingston / Strachur-Dunoon
Semi Final – Saturday June 21
Oban Celtic / Lochcarron
v
Kilmory / Lewis Camanachd / Glengarry
Ardnamurchan / Boleskine / Uddingston / Strachur-Dunoon
v
English Shinty Association / Tayforth / Ballachulish
The Chieftain’s Cup final will take place on Saturday July 19 with the venue still to be announced.
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