Planning on going to a game? Why not incorporate the sport season of the Scottish highlands with Isle of Skye walking routes. Travelling across the Scottish highlands doesn’t take long at all.

A great start in the Premiership for Newtonmore

As the season got under way last Saturday, Newtonmore celebrated the Premiership’s most decisive win of the opening weekend, with an impressive 7-0 win over Glenurquhart. It’s a great idea to incoroporate a walking holiday into a visit to a game! The Isle of Skye is beautiful and accessible by it’s bridge. You won’t miss a game. Walking holidays in Scotland are always great fun, made even better with EasyWays and walking the Isle of Skye walking routes.

What is it?

This is a fast, physical game where players have to score using a ball and stick. In the men’s game there are 12 players on each team – including one goalkeeper. Each player uses a caman (a curved wooden stick) to hit the small leather ball used in play.  A well-struck ball can travel over distances of 100 mph.
The game largely played in the Scottish Highlands and occasionally within the big cities of Scotland. In the past though, it was far more widespread because Scottish Highlanders introduced it to the areas they migrated to other countries. Canadian favourite ‘Ice Hockey’ began life when the Scottish immigrant population of Nova Scotia adapted the game to be played on ice!
Comparisons are made with field hockey but it’s important to note that the two games have a number of important differences. In the game, a player is allowed to play the ball in the air and can use either end of the caman. The caman can also be used to block and tackle though unlike hockey, a player may not come down on an opponent’s caman- this has been dubbed ‘hacking’ by players.  Players can also tackle using the body but only if it’s shoulder-to-shoulder.
The rules are governed by the Camanachd Association.

Shared Roots

The game was derived from the same root as the Irish game of hurling.  A composite rules – hurling game has been developed, which allows Scotland and Ireland to play annual international matches. Tomorrow, we’ll be celebrating more of Scotland and Ireland’s shared heritage for St Patrick’s Day! Why don’t you delve deeper into Scottish heritage and booking a holidays in Skye? One of the most popular islands off the West coast of Scotland, you can expect to enjoy a game where ever you may be in the highlands!

What’s on Where?

Matches are a unique piece of Scottish culture and heritage. You can take in a game during your Scottish walking holiday in many venues in the Highlands, such as the Isle of Skye, or Kingussie and Newtonmore on the East Highland Way. The official website lists all upcoming fixtures for this weekend.
The important finals days in this year’s calendar, with notes on how you can combine them with a self-guided walking route, are:

• RBS MacTavish Cup Final, Saturday 11th June, Bught Park, Inverness: at the end of the Great Glen Way
• Gregor Cameron Consultancy Celtic Society Cup Final, Saturday 25th June, venue tbc
• Women’s Camanachd Association Cup Finals Day, Saturday 27th August, Sports Field, Taynuilt, 12 miles from Oban
• U21 Caol Cup (North v South), Saturday 27th August, venue tbc
• Artemis Macaulay Cup Final, Saturday 3rd September, Mossfield Stadium, Oban: your gateway to Skye
• Camanachd Cup Final, Saturday 17th September, An Aird, Fort William: end of West Highland Way; start of East Highland Way
• Marine Harvest Shinty/Hurling International, Saturday 22nd/29th October (tbc), Bught Park, Inverness: at the end of the Great Glen Way and South Loch Ness Trail 
• Also if you’re thinking of experiencing a walking holiday with EasyWays, the Isle of Skye walking routes are always an option!

Isle of Skye Walking Routes with EasyWays

Interested in other events in Scotland at this time of year? Look at our last post!
If you’d like to combine your walking holiday with a sporting event, please get in touch.
We’d love to hear from you!
With thanks to photographer Alasdair Middleton