When I first heard the word “shinty” I thought of the former mayor of Boston Kevin White, who with his thick accent often praised the “beautiful shitty of Bawston”. But no it wasn’t a contest to hurl poo, it’s a game as old or older than golf from whence it may have derived. My pal, Annan suggested I get to the championship game in Oban via the local bus, where I was assured that win or loose the drinking would be solid. I considered it but when Kenny said he and his cousin Ali were going and offered me a lift, I jumped at the chance to see a new game at the highest level. It’s a long drive of over 100 miles through the mountainous, winding Highlands often on single track roads. Having driven with Kenny before, I knew I was in for the quickest and most exhilarating ride one could ask for knowing full well he is a very good driver. And his VW rocket ship was very comfy and had acceleration for passing that was brilliant.
We stopped along the way for a bite and a cuppa near Castle Stalker. You might remember it from Monty Python’s Holy Grail as “The Castle of Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh”.
And since we arrived in Oban with time to kill, a wee wander was in order. Many folks only know Oban as the gateway to the islands via CalMac ferries https://www.calmac.co.uk but it is a nice town to spend some time in as I’ve done a couple times in the past.
The McCaig Tower hovering over like a crown. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCaig%27s_Tower
Briefly, Shinty is played on a pitch roughly double the size of world football and the players all use a curves stick, a caman, with a flared crook with which they send a leather ball a bit smaller than a baseball and not quite as hard (but hard enough if it hit you in the wrong place) in the air or on the ground like golfing. The object is to get the ball in a net to score. It took awhile to understand the game what with not knowing what exactly often resulted in the referee’s whistle. I know that blocking with any part of the body other than shoulder to shoulder is not cool resulting in a free shot for the victim. Helmets are worn by most as the ball can be attacked in the air not just on the ground. You can get more info here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinty
One doesn’t win a championship by luck. Well, sometimes it helps, but all true sports champions get to their goal by hard, repetitive teamwork and good coaching with a great deal of support from others. And I can tell you that Kinlochshiel is no exception.
At the end of the 45 minute half I had sufficient knowledge of the game and understanding of the temperament of the players to see that Oban would lose this one. After the side switch I positioned myself near the Oban goal to await what I felt was inevitable. Mere minutes into the 2nd half Jordan Fraser, set up by MacRae brothers Finlay and John, put the game to rest. The next two goals were mere gravy on the finished meal.
If you’re going be introduced to a new game like shinty, this was certainly the way. Congratulations lads.
{ 0 comments… add one now }