Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has added her voice to the growing number of calls for North End Shinty to be allowed to compete in the National First Shinty Finals in Fort William this weekend (28.02.2026).
The team, combined of pupils from four small primary schools in the north of Skye, were very much looking forward to playing in the final again this year, having won their regional indoor qualifying tournament.
However the team has been advised of a recent rule change by the Camanachd Association to reduce the maximum combined school roll from 150 to 80 which means that they are unable to compete in this year’s final despite having already qualified for it.
The timing of the decision, which comes partway through the indoor season, comes after winter training had already begun. Some of the team have endured a 50 minute journey to the weekly evening training sessions since the start of the new school year and are understandably very upset that the lateness of this ruling may prevent them from playing in the final on Saturday.
Rhoda Grant said “It seems deeply unfair to me that North End has been excluded from the finals at such short notice and through no fault of their own.
“They have trained for weeks to qualify and are, understandably, deeply upset to be told they can’t play in the finals this weekend.”
Mrs Grant continued “The Camanachd Association’s website states that they recognise people in rural areas can find it difficult to access sport because of limited public transport, or fewer opportunities than urban areas and that in supporting local clubs they aim to break down the barriers of rural disadvantage and provide meaningful opportunities to participate in shinty.
“I am therefore appealing to them to uphold this view and to reconsider this decision.”