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The Strathglass (Top) and Glen Urquhart (Bottom) Teams from the 1887 fixture won 2-0 by the Glen

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Shinty in Glenurquhart and Strathglass and the Macdonald Cup

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Shinty in Glenurquhart and Strathglass and the Macdonald Cup

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The famous 22-a-side games of shinty played between Strathglass and Glen Urquhart in 1887 and 1888 at the Bught Park in Inverness had a profound effect upon the Game of the Gael, also known as camanachd, iomain or cluith-bhall.

The two contests encouraged the formation of the Camanachd Association in 1893 and the codification of the 12 a-side game which is still played today. Strathglass had already drawn up rules in 1880 under the watchful eye of Captain Archibald MacRa Chisholm of Glassburn who would be the Association's first Chieftain.

The games were fiercely fought with the 1887 game ending 2-0 to Glen Urquhart and the rematch in 1888 finishing 1-0 to the Glen. Glen Urquhart wore "A' Churachd Ruadh", the Red Cap, with blue shirts, white knickerbockers and blue stockings, and Strathglass wore Glengarries, white shirts and Black Watch tartan trews.

The predominate language of the players would have been Gaelic. This is reflected in the number of poems and songs written in Gaelic which either celebrate the result or dispraise their opponents. Certainly plenty of modern fans of sport will recognise the niggles, controversies and taunts within these songs.

Although there are no longer native speakers of Urquhart or Strathglass Gaelic still living, these poems and songs have been recorded using Gaelic speakers who live in Glen Urquhart and Strathglass. New translations were also made into English to make them accessible to others. A new Gaelic poem inspired by the research of this project was composed by Strathglass player Eòghan Stewart - "Suas am ball, Sìos am ball"

What is also striking about these games is that not only were these the first meetings between the Glen and the Strath, but they were also the only ones for another sixty years despite their proximity.

To help revive the sport as well as games between the neighbouring districts, the Macdonald Cup was presented for play in 1948 by James Macdonald of Strathglass, one of the last surviving players of the 1887 match. This fine trophy (pictured below) is still keenly contested annually by Glen and Strath.

The rivalry is played out at all levels. The Ali Ban Cup was set up for competition between the Strath and Glen reserve teams. It commemorates Alexander or Sandy Macdonald, aka Ali Ban or the White Hare, who scored the only goal for Glen Urquhart in 1888 in the dying minutes.

In 2017 with the growth of the women's game in both Strath and Glen, the MacLennan Quaich was created for play between the two sides. This is a tribute to Helen MacLennan who has supported shinty in the area for many years. Whichever side is playing, Strathglass now wear maroon and blue colours, and likewise, Glen Urquhart, red and black.

Shinty lives and dies in its communities and thrives on the linkages, both friendships and rivalries, between areas. In this project you can hear Roy MacKenzie of Strathglass, and Billy Maclean of Glen Urquhart (a descendant of Ali Ban) discussing what shinty means to them, their friendship and their communities.

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Meet Billy Maclean of Glen Urquhart Shinty Club and Roy MacKenzie of Strathglass Shinty Club. Lifelong friends but bitter shinty rivals, the two men have played for, captained and managed their respective clubs.

Billy is a descendant of Alexander or Sandy Macdonald also known as Ali Bàn to whom the Reserve Team equivalent of the Macdonald Cup is dedicated and is also a nephew of the late Peter R. English.

Roy is the son of the late Murdo MacKenzie who owned the Glen Affric Hotel and as Secretary of Strathglass Shinty Club for many years was instrumental along with others of returning the club to a prominent position in the sport.

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The Glengarry was the hat that the original Strathglass teams wore as part of their playing uniform. Along with white shirts and trousers made of the tartan of the Black Watch. These all reflected Captain Macra-Chisholm's military background. In these portraits taken in January 2022, the modern day players wear A' Bhonaid Bhiorach - The Pointy Bonnet.

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Postair ri fhaotainn sa Ghàidhlig airson Sgoiltean

Thug na geamannan ainmeil le 22 gach taobh eadar Gleann Urchadain is Srath Ghlais aig Pàirc a' Bhucht ann an Inbhir Nis buaidh mhòr air Spòrs nan Gàidheal, camanachd, no iomain no cluth-bhall mar a bhios aig cuid oirre. 'S e camag a chanadh ris san dà sgìre seo.

Bhrosnaich an dà chòmhrag cur air bhonn Chomann na Camanachd ann an 1893 agus reachdan a' gheama 12 gach taobh a tha ga cluich fhathast. Bha Srath Ghlais mu thrath air riaghailtean a dhèanamh ann an 1880 fo smachd Caiptean MacRàth-Siosalach à Allt na Glaisig a bha na chiad cheann-cinnidh a' Chomainn.

Bha na geamannan glè gharg agus chrìochnich an geam an 1887 2-0 do Ghleann Urchadain, agus bhuannaich Gleann Urchadainn 1-0 san ath-chluiche an 1888. Chaith Gleann Urachdain a' Churachd Ruadh, lèintean gorma, briogaisean geala agus stocainnean gorma, agus chaith Srath Ghlais bonaidean biorach, lèintean geala agus triùbhas le tartan nam Freiceadan Dubha.

'S e Gàidhlig a bhiodh ann am prìomh chànan nan cluicheadairean. Tha seo ri fhaicinn san uimhir de rannan sgrìobhte sa Ghàidhlig a' toirt iomradh air an sgòr no a' dì-mholadh nan dùbhlanach. Gu dearbh, bhiodh luchd-leantainn spòrs là an-diugh ag aithneachadh "an cuid bhòluich" mar a tha aig Iain Friseal, Teampuill bho na meadhanan sòisealta!

Ged nach eil luchd-labhairt le Gàidhlig na sgìre beò fhathast, chlàradh na dàin is na h-òrain le luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a tha a' fuireach ann an Gleann Urchadain agus Srath Ghlais. Chaidh eadar-theangachaidhean ùra a dhèanamh gus am faigh luchd na Beurla blasadh orra. Chaidh dàn ùr Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh tron rannsachadh le Eòghan Stiùbhart a chluicheas airson Srath Ghlais "Suas am ball, Sìos am ball."

'S e rud iongantach mu na geamannan seo cuideachd nach b' iad a-mhàin a' chiad dà gheam eadar an Gleann is an Srath ach gur b' iad na aon gheamannan eatorra airson 60 bliadhna ged tha an dà sgìre ri taobh a chèile.

Gus an spòrs agus geamannan eadar an dà sgìre ath-bheòthachadh, chaidh Cupa an Dòmhnallaich a thoirt seachad an 1948 le Seumas Dòmhnallach à Srath Ghlais, fear de na daoine mu dheireadh beò a chluich an 1887. Tha an duais àlainn seo fhathast ga cluich gach bliadhna eadar Gleann is Srath.

Bidh an co-fharpais a' dol aig gach ìre. Chaidh Cupa Ali Bhàin a chur air dòigh airson dara sgiobaidhean a' Ghlinne is an t-Sraith. Tha an duais mar chuimhne air Alasdair no Sandaidh Dòmhnallach, no Ali Bàn "An Geàrr Bàn", a chuir an tadhal don Ghleann sna mionaidean mu dheireadh an 1888.

Ann an 2017 le fàs spòrs nam Ban anns an t-Srath agus sa Ghleann, chruthaicheadh Cuach NicIlleinnein airson farpais eadar an dà sgioba. Tha seo mar chomharra air taic Helen NicIlleinnein do spòrs san sgìre fad iomadh bliadhna. Ge b' e dè sgioba a tha cluich, bidh Srath Ghlais a-nis a' caitheamh ruadh-donn is liath mar dhathan, agus mar an ceudna Gleann Urchadain, dearg is dubh.

Bidh camanachd a' fantail beò no a' faighinn bàs ri linn a coimhearsnachdan, ceanglaichean, càirdeas agus co-fharpais eadar sgìrean. Sa phròiseact seo, cluinnear Roy MacCoinnich, Srath Ghlais agus Uilleam MacIlleathain, Gleann Urchadain (o Shlìochd Ali Bhàin) a' còmhradh mu na tha iomain a' ciallachadh riuthsan agus rin coimhearsnachdan.

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For Schools to print out

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Eòghan Stiùbhart explains the project in Gaelic

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Eòghan Stiùbhart explains the project in Gaelic

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Translation in English -

This project, I guess like any good project, started off as one thing, and through necessity and reflection became something else.

The necessity was, like most things over the last two years, due to COVID. COVID meant that any opportunity to stage any form of re-enactment, using the Glengarrys and Curachd Ruadh to give a sense of the old time matches, had to be cancelled. The opportunity for in person interviews, in particular with the older generation who may be nervous about speaking on microphone, but would happily do so eventually face to face but not over Zoom was also stopped.  Then even getting along to trainings to take portraits was going to be a tough job with restrictions and a rightful sense of caution still in place, thanks though to the Strathglass lads for mugging it up with the Glengarrys at least one night. Then finally the scheduled Macdonald Cup fixture before the beginning of the season brought a sense of crisis with deadlines near. It’s quite funny that similar

COVID however, gave other opportunities, more time to research, for example, more time to delve into the Gaelic poetry of Ewen Macdonald, Eòghann Shìm, who played in both games in 87 and 88 for the Strathglass, which sparked ideas for another project, and also the opportunity to bring others into the project who I might not have brought in otherwise. It certainly helped me with the idea to use female Gaelic voices resident in the Strath and Glen to bring the very manly verses, overflowing with jibes and barbs that anyone unfortunate enough to read football twitter after a contentious penalty decision on Sky Sports would recognise. I’m very grateful to those women for giving their voices to bring these poems and songs in the first language of many of the players of that time alive once again.

The reflection was another, that as I delved deeper into the writings about the club, and spoke to more people that a simple but profound truth was at its heart. One that I already knew but that became more palpable with every moment. That shinty is a simple yet vital part of the life and identity of the people who live in these communities and the best thing I could do was get out of their way and let them tell their story. On a personal note, it has helped me strengthen my own attachment to the Strath club where I play my shinty, as well as appreciate more the importance of the eternal rivalry with the Glen. I hope that is reflected in “Suas am ball, sìos am ball” which tries to move between past, present and future of the sport in these special places.

Hopefully the voice recordings here will stand the test of time as much as the newspaper reports from 1887 and 1888 do and provide a social history explaining the importance of shinty to Strathglass and Glenurquhart in this time and place in history.

A benefit of COVID, a COVIDIVIDEND one might say, is that people are finally au fait with using QR codes. Presenting all the audio material via a QR code accessed from traditional presentation boards was something which came quite late in the process. It was also important that a copy of the presentation boards were available in both Strath and Glen and it was a real sense of achievement to be able to present the boards to the clubs when the Macdonald Cup was finally played in April 2022. Hopefully the clubs will find a place in their local community where these can be accessed by locals and visitors alike for many years to come.

I’m grateful to Highlife Highland and Spirit 360 for the opportunity to tell shinty’s story as part of the project. Shinty and Gaelic go hand in hand and both sport and language face many of the same challenges, especially in the fragile communities that support them still. As part of the Iomain Cholmcille project, we believe that shinty and Gaelic can strengthen each other, and hopefully in bringing the Gaelic heritage of the two areas to the forefront again through its sport, then Gaelic can become again a language heard a little more frequently in Strath and Glen.

It’s of great personal regret that I started this project too late to capture the tales and stories of James “Jimmac” Mackintosh of Glenurquhart and Strathglass who passed away in September 2021.  This project is dedicated to his memory.

- Eòghan Stiùbhart

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Darren has won Strathglass Player of the Year more than any other individual. A major player for the club on and off the park, Darren is Club President, following in the footsteps of many illustrious individuals going back to 1880.

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Penri is one of Strathglass' key players of the current era. An important source of goals, "PJ" has worked his way up from youth level, via the Strath second team to become an important player for the club.

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Donald is one of Strathglass' most decorated players and is currently manager of Strathglass first team. His family and the Fraser name have a long connection with Strathglass Shinty Club.

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Seth is the Captain of Strathglass for season 2022. An energetic presence on the park, he works in Cannich running the family owned Caravan and Camping Park which borders the Cannich Playing Field.

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Adam is a big personality at Strathglass Shinty Club on and off the park. A boisterous present between the posts as goalkeeper, Adam takes that enthusiasm forward off the park working with the youth players. Strathglass draws from the small primary schools of Teanassie, Cannich Bridge as well as splitting the catchment of Balnain, so Adam and the rest of the youth coaching team have a very important job to continue to encourage youngsters to play the native sport.

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Josh is one of Strathglass' most talented players of the current era. He was the Macdonald Cup winning captain in 2021. Missing the 2022 season on the parkdue to an injury sustained at work, he is a reminder of the fact that shinty is an amateur sport where the players juggle life and work commitments to play the sport they love.

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"Cami" is one of Strathglass' most promising youngsters. A keen trainer and newly promoted to second team captain, players such as Cami and Euan are key to the future of a club such as Strathglass which draws its players from a very sparsely populated area.

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George is a stalwart of Strathglass and has been key to many of the club's successes in the last 25 years. A formidable but fair opponent for any player, George continues to provide valuable experience for the club's second team. The Phimister name is one that is synonymous with Strathglass Shinty.

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Euan is a youth player for Strathglass. His family have long associations with the Strath. Like his father Ian and brother Niall, he carries the nickname "Tatties".

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Iomain Cholmcille is the Gaelic Shinty Project running since 2007 to support links between Gaelic speakers in Scotland and Ireland through the sport of shinty.

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Iomain Cholmcille. 757 likes · 182 talking about this. Co-fharpais Iomain nan Gàidheal Comortas Iomaniocht na nGael International Shinty-Hurling for Gaelic Speakers in Ireland & Scotland since 2007

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Connor Golabek receives the Macdonald Cup from Jim Barr

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The Macdonald Cup fixture for 2022 was finally played simultaneously with a National Division fixture between the two clubs on 30th April at Blairbeg Park, Drumnadrochit.

Glenurquhart started strongly and scored first via John Barr on 9 minutes. The Glen limited Strathglass to a few chances, and doubled the advantage through captain Connor Golabek just before halftime.

In the second half, Strathglass got off to a bad start, conceding a third two minutes into the half. David "Dixie" Maclennan making it 3-0. Golabek put the game beyound any reasonable doubt on 65 minutes for 4-0.

Michael Stokes got one back for the Strath with just under ten minutes remaining, and although Strath almost grabbed a second moments later, the Glen thereafter shut up shop and regained the historic trophy.

Ally Mackintosh of Glenurquhart won the Shewglie trophy for man of the match.

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Eddie Tembo has played and managed Glenurquhart, as well as representing Scotland.
Eddie was born in Zambia, his father's homeland, and moved to Glenurquhart, his mother's home area when he was 12.
In this clip he talks about shinty's importance to him and the ara.

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Alastair and Thomas Maclean are two brothers, descended from Ali Ban who have long family connections to the area. Their uncle is Billy Maclean who features in the longer interviews in this project.
Alastair plays for Glenurquhart and Thomas for Strathglass. In this clip they talk about playing against each other and their family links.

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GlenUrquhart in the 1988 Camanachd Cup Final

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GlenUrquhart in the 1988 Camanachd Cup Final

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Shinty Camanachd Cup Final 1988 - Kingussie v Glenurquhart

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Dave Stewart was the Glenurquhart manager at the 2022 Macdonald Cup. He was captain of the Glenurquhart team that was runnersup in the 1988 Camanachd Cup Final.
Billy Macleod has played many roles in shinty, and was goalkeeper in the same match.
In this clip they talk about the importance of the Macdonald Cup rivalry with Strathglass.

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Charlie Hall is a former rugby player from England who now lives in Cannich. A member of the committee of Strathglass and second team manager, in this clip he talks about shinty's importance to him.

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Seth Jones was Strathglass Captain for the 2022 game. He moved to Cannich as a youngster and shinty helped him and his family integrate quickly in to the local community. In this clip he talks about the importance of the togetherness shinty provides.

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Siobhan Thomson helped form the present GlenUrquhart women's team. Her son also plays for the club. In this clip she talks about the history of the Maclennan Quaich, the women's equivalent of the Macdonald and Ali Ban Cups.

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Connor Golabek was the winning captain for GlenUrquhart in 2022. Connor originally played for Inverness but has played for GlenUrquhart for many years. In this clip he talks about the importance of winning the Cup for the community that he now plays for.

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Hazel Hunter helped found the present GlenUrquhart women's team. She is also a former Strathglass player for both women and men. In this clip she talks about the women's team and the importance of shinty in her life.

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Charlie Macleod is a young player for Glenurquhart. He made his Macdonald Cup debut in 2021 when Strathglass won. His father Iain and uncle Alan have both long histories in shinty in the area, as well as his sister Chloe who has played for both Strath and Glen.

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Donald Provided Action Shots for the Project from the 2021 Macdonald Cup

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Built in 1923 The Iconic London & North Eastern Railway's. 60103 Flying Scotsman Heading for Inverness Friday 10th 2019, the locomotive will be returning to the Highlands of Scotland for the first time since its refurbishment for a 3 day visit.

TBC
Follow us on Social Media

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Inverness City ABC Live at the IronWorks Inverness Saturday 29th September 2018 John Rafferty Music Live at Eden Court Theatre August 2018 Schiehallion Scottish Folk/Ceilidh band Live at Eden Court Theatre August 2018 Northstar Country Band Live at Eden Court Theatre August 2018 Follow us on Social Media

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Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness Vol XLVIII

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Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness Vol XLVIII

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Barron, H. (1972) Notes on Bàrds, p 1-39
Barron, H. (1973) Verser, Fragments, Words from Various Districts, p339-370

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Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness Vol L.

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Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness Vol L.

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Barron, H. (1977) Notes on Bàrds, p 201-237
Barron, H. (1978) Verses, Fragments, etc from various districtss p 403-434

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Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness Vol XLV

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Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness Vol XLV

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Barron, H. (1967) Notes on the Aird p196-231
Barron, H (1968) Some Gaelic Verse from North Inverness-shire p370-392

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May be taken with a pinch of salt!

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It has been a wee while since the Wing Centre has tapped on the keyboard of truth- what with the dinner dance going past in a blur (Neale Reid was young player of the year it appears) and the very game of shinty having receded from his mind under the weight of Yuletide domestic chores which were heaped upon his broad shoulders. He had his 5 cards to write, kindlers to buy at the garage and the AGM books to get balanced. Then there were the money extorters at Alton Towers to pay for the dubious pleasure of appearing in the Premier League next season. What's all that about the first heap of League fixtures being played away from home?
"Let it go, Wing Centre," said the Lady of the House. "Poor Astie's only doing his best. More like you to tidy up that heap of books and rubbish at your side of the bed."
Which was duly done and the clash of the ash faded from the Wing Centre's consciousness for a day or two until-
He was going up Balmacaan Road in a dwam between Xmas day and Zandra's sixes (of which more with snaps later) when he was hailed.
"WC- have you got a pound?"
The hailer was Jimmac Mackintosh and while no one would like to see Jimmac stuck for a pound, the use of the term WC as a familiar form of address was disconcerting. After all Jimmac has a number of close relatives who have been initiated into the arcane rites of the craft of plumbing and the Wing Centre well knows that those involved in the order of the bathroom use the term WC in a very specialised way- and perhaps it was that the use of the term implied a criticism of a descriptive nature with regard to the nature of the stuff the Wing Centre was including in the "D"
A glace at Jim's genial physog banished all such paranoia- and the pound was parted with.
"Congratulations!" said Jim " You have just bought a ticket for the Strathglass Shinty Club Xmas Draw!"
Jim then tore off the ticket, borrowed a pencil and started to sketch out possible shinty tactics on the back of the paper. The Wing Centre, who doesn't really have a head for abstract thought, tried to follow the flowing lines and whirls of attacking formations as if he were a subaltern on the Western Front trying to follow General Haig's plan of advance at the Somme-only Haig's plan must have been less complicated.
A diversionary tactic was required .
"Where did you get all those red hats, Jim?"
"What ones?"
"The ones the Up the Glenners were handing out after we beat Kilmallie for the nth time- we were all down in the Blar with the cups and that"
"These are examples of the Currachd Ruadh- the traditional red hats of the Glen team. That is what the players in the 1880s used to wear- and we have carried on the tradition ever since although" he added pensively "the pattern was lost until the early 1990s"
The Wing Centre was somewhat dubious at this explanation- the shape of the cap did not appear to match the ethnographical pattern of other highland hats like the Glengarry, the Fore and Aft or even the old Shepherd's bonnet , brought north by the Borderers in the early 19th century and illustrated in the works of Thomas Faed.
"I can assure you it is the true Currachd Ruadh. The shape is due to the fact that it dates from a period before the Free Church came to have such a hold on the Glen.
If you wish to check the facts of the matter I refer you to Peter's book . You can look at page 90-there is even a Gaelic poem about it too."
"How did the pattern come to be lost, Jim?"
"Hard to say. At one time the whole village of Milton was engaged in their manufacture- after Lady Seafield had set up one of those Highland Home Industry schemes. Indeed it was from the mills which turned out the material for the hats that the village of Milton got its name. Anyway I think some minister or other objected to the hats and the whole industry died out inside a generation and the pattern was lost. A great pity too after the way the charm of the Currachd Ruadh kept the local men safe in the Great War. It seems that the local squadron of the Lovat Scouts got permission from the War Office to wear the "Currachd Ruadh" as part of their field dress- the other squads wore the bush hat. It was a concession to local sentiment I suppose - and when the Scouts went to the Dardanelles, the Currachd Ruadh for some reason went down a treat with the locals."
"How did you get the pattern back again, Jim?"
"Well, DP was renovating an old barn up Balbeg ,one of those with the thatch underneath the tin. And when they took the roof off they found the worm for an old whisky still, a rusty sword from Culloden and a Currachd Ruadh. From that the ladies of the up the Glen WI started to make them for local sale, though they never sell them to those east of the Polmailly burn. That is a pity though because it would be far better for Donald Skinner to be selling them up at the Lodge instead of "Jimmy" hats and Nessie toories. At least these are genuinely Scottish"
And so with that little potted history of the Currachd Ruadh and its links to Glen Shinty the Wing Centre rings down the curtain on a successful year for the Glen. Have a Good New Year and enjoy the photos of these local heroes wearing their Currachd Ruadh.

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It has been a wee while since the Wing Centre has tapped on the keyboard of truth- what with the dinner dance going past in a blur (Neale Reid was young player of the year it appears) and the very game of shinty having receded from his mind under the weight of Yuletide domestic chores which were heaped upon his broad shoulders.

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Fhir a Shiùbhlas air Astar le Iain Friseal, Teampull 

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Fhir a Shiùbhlas air Astar le Iain Friseal, Teampull 

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Air a leughadh le Megan Ghrannd, Seann Bhaile, Gleann Urchadainn

Fhir a shiùbhlas air astar

A Srathghlais nam fear chòir,

Thoir mo bheannachd dha "Glassburn"

'S dha na gaisgich bha còmhla ris.

Agus innis dhaibh mar a tha mi

Air mo chràdh 's air mo leònadh,

O'n chaill iad am blàr ud

Cha tèid an tàmailt ri 'm bheò dhìom .

An ainm an Aigh ciod a thachair

Dha na Glasaich 's a' chòmhrag?

Chaill iad baileach an tapadh

Mun deach stad air a' chòmhstri.

Air m' fhìrinn 's ann shaoil leam

'S bha mi daonnan an dòchas

Nach robh 'n leth-bhreachd ri fhaotainn

Ann an taobh seo de 'n Roinn-Eorpa.

Mo sheachd nàir' is mo mhasladh

Cha bheag an cachdan e dhomh-sa,

Luchd mo dhùthch' bhith dol dhachaidh

Gus an dad ach an deò annt'.

Ged a cluith iad le dìorras

Airson a' cheud ghreis dhe' 'n chonnspaid

Thug na h-Urchadnaich chrìonda

An cliù cho iosal 's a dh'fhòghnas.

Ach 's e gu tur rinn mo chiùrradh

Mo luchd-dhùthcha 's luchd m' eòlais

A bha dà uair air an rùsgadh

Dheth na chliù so bu nòs dhaibh.

Tha e thìom dhoibh o 'n uair so

Stad dheth 'n uaills' is an teòmachd

'S a chaidh gun dùlan thoir uapa

Do 'n "Churrachd Ruadh" fhad' 's beò iad.

Faodaidh "Glassburn' bhith sgrìo(bh)ag'

'S am bi e sgìth le cuid bòluich.

Bha e gòrach a rìreadh

Dhol a' slimeadh 's an dòigh so.

Ach cha bhreugnaich e fhìrinn

Ged a sgriobhadh e "volumes"

Oir tha buaidh le làn chinnteas

Aig Bràigh a' Ghlinn' 's tha mi pròiseil.

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Written by John Fraser, Temple, who was Captain of the Urquhart Team in 1887 and 1888 - this song probably refers to the 1887 match

Good fellow who travels

from Strathglass of the Men

Give my greetings to Glassburn

and to the heroes who were with him

and tell them of my condition

pained and wounded

since they lost that battle

As long as I live the indignity will not leave me

In the name of all that’s good what happened

to the Glasaich in the battle?

They lost completely their agility

before the competition was halted

Truthfully I supposed

and I always hoped

That the like would never be seen

in this part of Europe

My seven shame and embarrassment

My chagrin was not a small matter

My countrymen going home

Without a jot or as much as the breath in them

Although they played with passion

for the first part of the strife

The prudent Urquhartmen

brought their fame as low as it could go

But what injures me completely

My countrymen and my comrades

who were two times stripped

of the reputation that was theirs always

It is their sorrow that this time

nobility and dexterity ceased

and they did not challenge

the Red Cap as long as they lived

Glassburn may write

until he is tired with bluster

It was truly foolish

To gloss over in this way

But he can’t refute the truth

although he would write volumes

Because certain victory

Lies with the Braes of the Glen and I’m proud

Read by Megan Grant of Shenval

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English. P.R., (1985), Aberdeen

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Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness Vol XLIII

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Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness Vol XLIII

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Barron, H. (1961) Notes on the Ness Valley, p150-171

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Mackenzie. F. (2005-Present), keepingoutofthed.blogspot.com

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"OK Peloton, let's go" said the President to the team- and quite right too because after having had one genuine match after the restart of the indigenous sport the players were keen to have more-and even more hopefully- as was the whole committee. And so, it came to pass this past weekend that Inverness S.C. were good enough to come out to Blairbeg to give us a game.

Not that anyone was allowed to see it because of the Co-vid regulations and so unless someone had a defined role as either a match official or a team official there was no way the game could be viewed.

It was not advertised on social media and naturally there was no income of any sort to be derived from it. Indeed, Glenurquhart Shinty Club has taken in no income from the pavilion teas or at the gate since the Macdonald Cup game in March- and because of a quirk of the rating system which left us without a number we did not receive any Co-vid fund money from the Highland Council. Other luckier Clubs have received sums up to £10,000 and good on them. The Glen however, have bad lucked out.

What income we do have has come thanks to our sponsors and the generosity of our players and supporters who have supported for four months an online lottery which has helped us keep going.

Bearing this in mind the Wing Centre sat waiting for text updates from the park and while he felt happy that he was not out in the pouring rain, he was definitely most unhappy to listen in on Sportsound to some specialised whingeing from Scottish football's representatives about not being allowed spectators at matches.

That the spokesman who was doing most of the whingeing was Aberdeen's Willie Miller only made things worse. Everyone of a certain age will recall Willie Miller with distaste remembering how he and Liverpool's Alan Hansen, managed to get Scotland ejected from the 1982 World Cup finals with a catastrophic failure of judgement that could only have been scripted by MI5 to undermine the national psyche.

One could go on- but if you are sitting in the house unable to watch a shinty match because you feel that the Co-vid rules have to be obeyed for the good of your family, friends and neighbours and you hear the sort of entitled nonsense coming from the world of football you are allowed to be angry. What is it they don't get?

Still the news from the field when it came through was good. The Glen with a sprinkling of older players but with some excellent youngsters put on a solid performance against a young Inverness side who were in no way disgraced.

Let's face it-the Glen defence was pretty much premier standard with Stuart Mackintosh in goals, John Barr at full-back and Lachie Smith at buckshee. You can see the top sides in the Premiership and one or two in the National League giving them a game but not many others. However, with Conor Golabek in the middle and James "Frostie" Macpherson in pole position the youngsters on the side-lines were well supported. The only real disappointment for the home side was that forward Oliver Black who had damaged an ankle in training was unable to complete the warm up and could not take the field.

The team pool was as follows: Stuart Mackintosh, John Barr. Lachie Smith, Rory Maclean, Finlay Robertson, Jamie Maclennan, Liam Robertson, Conor Golabek, Ej Tembo, Josh Macdonald-Haig, James Macpherson, Oliver Black, Charlie Macleod, Ryan Porter and Thomas Stebbings.

It took the Glen about 12 minutes to open their account. This came when a long ball up from mid-field was pulled out of the air on the left-hand side by youngster Jed Stoddart and he dispatched a powerful back hand shot over the shoulder of Inverness keeper Kenny Loades and into the net for the opener.

Inverness, prompted by the experienced MacMaster brothers, picked up a little at this point but though they did manage to get some ball forward Mackintosh in the Glen goal had very little to do but tidying up.

Glen's second goal came in 27 minutes when Frostie Macpherson found himself in possession about 25 yards out. As he always would, he fired in a shot from distance which somehow managed to find its way through keeper Kenny Loades' legs. An unlucky break perhaps for a keeper who otherwise showed-particularly in his ability to thwart Conor Golabek- that he is no mean figure between the sticks.

The last quarter of the first half saw the Glen strike a third goal to basically seal the tie. Once again Jed Stoddart picked a ball fired up from the midfield-this time by Jamie Maclennan. Stoddart gathered in the ball and fired from a tight angle with his low shot just finding the net inside the far post.

The same player was unlucky not to add a fourth goal just before the break but the Inverness keeper redeemed himself for his earlier mishap to make a fine save and keep the differential to 3-0 as referee John Matheson blew the whistle for half-time.

The next Glenurquhart strike was not long in coming with Josh Macdonald-Haig playing the ball down the line for youngster Charlie Macleod to fire home from a tight angle.

The game settled for a brief spell as Glenurquhart seemed to take their foot off the throttle but that pause in momentum only lasted as long as the 70 th minute when the Glen notched up their fifth strike of the afternoon. This time the ball forward was a long crossfield effort from Liam Robertson. This took a deflection off an Inverness defender and landed kindly for Jed Stoddard who completed his hat-trick with a powerful drive from about the penalty spot which found the net despite the best efforts of Loades to keep it out.

The Inverness keeper did better a few minutes later when he once again thwarted Golabek but, not to be denied, the Glen completed their afternoon with a sixth goal, this time from Josh Macdonald-Haig who took the ball past his marker and slid it home from just outside the "D" to finally clinch the 6-0 victory.

A good performance then with special performances from Jed Stoddart and Charlie Macleod and despite his lack of luck in front of goals Conor Golabek who as usual put in a power of work. Jamie Maclennan and Liam Robertson also performed well on what was, as the pics will testify, a difficult pitch in appalling conditions.

Credit too to inverness who were happy to participate and of course to the officials on both sides who applied the Co-vid rules effectively and ensured that for the second week in a row, the Glen could get back to shinty.

Thanks to Garry and his phone for the pics - the guess is that the phone is owed the bigger congratulation.

Football? Who cares?

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"OK Peloton, let's go" said the President to the team- and quite right too because after having had one genuine match after the restart of the indigenous sport the players were keen to have more-and even more hopefully- as was the whole committee. And so, it came to pass this past weekend that Inverness S.C.

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Harvey. S., (2004), Strathglass Shinty Club, Cannich

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Barron. H., Campbell. J.W., (1980), The Highland Herald Inverness

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The Teams being Piped to Blairbeg in one of the first Macdonald Cup Matches

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From Glenurquhart by Peter R English 1984-85

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From Glenurquhart by Peter R English 1975

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From Glenurquhart by Peter R English 1984-85

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Keeping out of the D: Iain Macdonald, Glenurquhart: A Farewell

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(It is appropriate before the start of
a new shinty season, and particularly before the annual Macdonald Cup match
with Strathglass for whom he also played, to pay tribute to a Glen player of
yesteryear who passed away towards the end of last season.)

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"It's your own fault," said herself. "Provoking them like that."

The Wing Centre was nonplussed for a bit. It was hard to recall whom he had not provoked which meant that there were more than a small number of candidates who might have been irritated by something he had said, done or even worn.

His vacant look prompted some elucidation.

"Kinlochshiel. You've annoyed them. They played out of their skin and beat us 4-0 in the first Premier Match of the season all because you annoyed them"

This was difficult for the Wing Centre to accept completely. Certainly his poetic effusion might have been misconstrued but at its heart was merely an attempt to immortalise 'Shiel by putting them in the same poetic frame as the Glen. He would rather have imagined that they would have been pleased- but then again maybe not. People are strange - and West Coasters stranger than most.

"Well anyway, "said he," the boys played well enough considering... they kept Clann 'Ic Rath at bay for the whole first half. The score only got worse in the last few minutes and if we had scored the three early chances we were given then..."

"Stop that nonsense," said she. "And don't mention the players who are injured or banned or otherwise absent. That's what we have to deal with. However, I have read that piece by Alasdair Bruce on the Skye website- and according to him without Smack pulling off a pile of saves then we would have lost even more."

"What on earth makes you read Alasdair Bruce? For a start he's from Skye and they see things differently there. It's a Misty Isle for goodness sake - there's a Celtic Twilight. You only have to watch them at the goal-judging to realise they all live in a parallel universe - and that the rules of physics which apply to this side of the bridge don't apply in Portnalong or Portree. However, once they get off the Island and come to live among us they become normal."

"Have you ever considered - and I know it's difficult for you to take in - that you might be the one living in the parallel universe," stated herself - and with that she went back to preparing her begonias.

The Wing Centre didn't spend much time considering what was clearly a preposterous comment but he let his mind wander a little back to the previous week. It had been a good series of outings against Strathglass-the girls winning the Maclennan Trophy, the seconds winning the Ali Ban and finally the Macdonald Cup. Already the trophy cabinet in the Loch Ness Inn was full - even if the Glen were to win anything there might be trouble with where to keep the spoils. Only the Strathdearn or perhaps at a push, the MacTavish would be low enough to fit into what remained of the space left in the cabinet. No point in going for anything else - there is nowhere left to flaunt it.

The Macdonald Cup day with all its intended circus however was a lovely gala day of old fashioned shinty held on a day that was quite pleasant considering.

The girls were first up and according to the rough notes jotted down in the trusty reporter's notebook the goals came from the following players -Donna Mackenzie (3), Hazel Hunter (3) and Sarah Fountain. Afterwards the trophy was handed over to captain Siobhan Thompson by Helen Maclennan.

The Ali Ban was also a reasonable contest with the Glen comfortably in front grabbing goals from Brad Sneddon (2) and Ben Hosie. Afterwards Iona Smart, a descendent of Ali Ban handed over the player of the match to Ben Hosie and the cup to captain Duncan Fraser.

The main match between the top sides for the cup of the day was also an excellent affair- and neither side seemed to be fazed that they were missing some players who had been transported away to watch a rugby match in Edinburgh by the local High School. Let's not get started on rugby and its ability to paralyse and otherwise reduce cognitive capacity - but more importantly consider that the city of Inverness has built state of the art rugby facilities for Highland Rugby Club using as part of the funding sportscotland money to create a supposed multi-sport all weather facility which just happens to be too wee for shinty. One shouldn't get annoyed but if the Council then build a velodrome on top of that, when you consider that Shinty's Bught Stadium has been waiting for a refurb since the 1950s then......!!

Incoherence rarely strikes the Wing Centre and this bout soon dissipated at the memory of the fine Fraser Heath hat-trick which sealed the Macdonald Cup. Fraser does a lot of things well and he is in fact at this moment the most effective player the Glen has on the pitch. Fast and focused he makes a difference to how we perform- and any lad called Fraser has to be OK.

And so to the Marine Harvest Premier League where the Glen picked up their first point of the season against an Oban Camanachdside who have quite often in recentyears been a bit of a bogey side for them. Indeed after last weekend's near total wipe out of the Marine Harvest Premier League Shinty fixtures, it was good to see four Premier matches go ahead with the tightest of these encounters being at Drum. Oban moved well and their experience showed in the manner by which they worked nice openings at free hits from which they could certainly have scored. Smack had about four excellent saves as did young Sutherland at the other end. Malcolm Clark topped a penalty too which was another let off, so all in all it was by no means a bad opening day. It was heartening to see a fine display from John Peteranna, Finlay Ralston and especially Cameron Mackintosh who could make a real difference at wing back if he was able to commit. Also excellent were Ally Mackintosh and Mike Fraser but especially so were Fraser Heath and Andrew Corrigan.

After an even first half which saw both sides pass up good chances Glen took the lead early in the second half when a nice exchange between Ben Hosie and Mike Fraser saw a shot from the latter blocked by Oban stand-in keeper Cameron Sutherland.
The ball looped up high and first to react was Daniel Mackintosh who improvised an overhead flick which beat the stranded Oban keeper.Glenurquhart then had further opportunities to extend their lead but were unable to find the net and Oban eventually got on the score sheet after a Malcolm Clark free hit on the left found Lorne Dickie in 83 minutes and his smart angled drive beat Glenurquhart keeper Stuart Mackintosh to give Oban a share of the points which they probably deserved.

Goodness me, with a bit of good fortune they can all make Glenurquhart Shinty Club great again! Let's hope so anyway.

Thanks to Neil Paterson for the Macdonald Cup photos and to Sheena Lloyd for the pics v Oban.

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"It's your own fault," said herself. "Provoking them like that." The Wing Centre was nonplussed for a bit. It was hard to recall whom he had not provoked which meant that there were more than a small number of candidates who might have been irritated by something he had said, done or even worn.

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Macdonald Cup Glenurquhart 1 Strathglass 0 Ali Ban Glenurquhart 3 Strathglass 2 It’s that time of the year again- or at least over t...

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Keeping out of the D: Glen retain Macdonald Cup against a stuffy Strath side.

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Bàrdachd air a dhèanamh 's air a leughadh le Eòghan Stiùbhart, Inbhir Nis

1. Srath Ghlais

Suas am ball, sìos am ball

eadar Bràigh ’s Srath

Suas am ball, sìos am ball

eeadar an Comar is an Ceathramh

Suas am ball, sìos am ball

eadar Allt a’ Bhodaich ’s Beith Òg

Suas am ball, sìos am ball

eadar Baile na h-Abhainn is Baile na Bruach

Suas am ball, sìos am ball

Giùthsachan ’s Canaich

gach àitreabh Glasach air an armuis

Easgadail, Breac Achaidh

Cnoc Fionn ’s Eirchlis

Farrair Afraig ’s Buntait

Cnag de rubair nan Innseachan

Oidhche agus Latha a’ Challainn

An Nollaig Bheag ’s an Nollaig Mhòr

’s i a’ chamag chianaosda a b’ annsa

Sìm aig an aghaidh

a’ gleusadh an fheadain

’S ait mo sgeul

’S gur math mo ghnothach

an giusal mòr, an gnàth-cuimhne

spac iomain mhòr Uachdar Albainn

’s às an fhuaran aig Allt na Glàislig

thàinig deoch mhilis ghlan na camaig

ach cha b’ e glainne bheag no strùbag

a thugadh dhaibh ach cupa maide

làn uisge ghlan is reachdan rèidh

Comunn Camanachd Straghlais air bun-stèidh

“chan ionann fear air mhisg is fear air uisg”

ach ’s ionann gach fear anns a’ chaigeann

’s deòch-slàinte mhòr dhan Chaiptein Airm

le neart us le dùrachd, Straghlais gu bràth ann

na gaisgich gharg sna lèintean geala

’s air an cinn na bonaidean biorach

’s briogaisean nam freiceadan dubha

na fir nach tais air an còrachadh

fichead ’s a dhà dhiubh, caiptean

’s ceann-cinnidh air raon mòr sa bhaile

eachdraidh fos an cionn

an catha mum coinneamh

Suas am ball, sìos am ball

gaisgeach ri gaisgeach us laoch ri laoch

2. Gleann Urchadain

ged is socrach mo leabaidh

chan e cadal tha shùrd orm

far ann minic a bha mi,

iomadh là air bheag cùram

bhiodh mo chaman fo m’ achlais

cumail suas an iomain

’s e Crasgaig gu ceart a th’ air Kilmartin

ged tha a’ chamag an comain a’ Chaimbeulaich

’s an-sin ’s ann am Bòrlam

a chuir aid an caigeann

na Moirisinich ann an gruaim

na cailleachan a’ briseadh nam maidean

mar gun robh iad ri taghairm

no a’ cur impis air sìthichean nan alltan

oir bha na h-Urchadanaich ag èirigh

taobh thall bràigh a’ Cheathraimh

’s mu dheireadh thàinig an dùlan

bho na gaisgich gharg Ghlasach

Na Siosalaich ’s an cuideachd

an Inbhir Nis a’ fèitheamh orra

sealladh a b’ annsa a bhiodh ann

fear Urchadanach sam bith an là sin

le lèine ghorm ’s briogais gheal air

’s a Churachd Ruadh air a cheann

aig Pàirc a’ Bhucht ri Tom na h-Iubhraich

’s iad ri còmhrag is ri còmhstri

sa chluith cuid a’ sìomanaich

sa chatha cuid a’ caolruith

ealant’, eangach, greannmhor, gleust;

gun mheang na balaich an geam a’ glèidheadh

bha na Glasaich air an ciùrradh

’s bhuin buaidh do Ghleann nam Buadh

na fir a’ tilleadh air a’ bhàta-smùid chun an Teampuill

ach am fios a cheana air tighinn tron ueir

na ponaich a’ ruith mar gum bitheadh fèidh

leis an naidheachd dha na bodaich

am Baile Beag ’s am Bràigh a’ Ghlinn’

far am biodh na tèintean gan cur air na cnuic

aig Baile a’ Mhuilinn, ’s Baile an Athain

am bliadhna ud us an-ath-bhliadhna

mus do stad am baiteal rè trì fichead bliadhna

as dèidh tadhal mòr na gearra bàine

3. Latha an-diugh

chan eil bàird anns an àite

bhon a dh’fhalbh Eòghann Shìm

’Ss fhada bhon a thog am Brickie

taigh le Gàidhlig a’ Ghlinn’

tha Gàidhlig Bhun Leòthaid

beò a-mhàin air pàipear ’s air sgrìn

ach chan eil a’ chamag air teireachdainn

’s i a’ taitinn fhathast rinn

far an robh bonaidean biorach

far an robh curachdan ruadha

caithear Ruadh-donn agus Liath

air neo Dearg agus Dubh orra

tha na dathan diofraichte

ach fhathast an caigeann ga chur

ged a rinneadh a ciùrradh iomadh uair

rinneadh aisleum gu minic leatha

theagamh gu bheil na Siosalach air sìoladh

’s cuid mhath de na h-àitreabhaich eile

chaidh na cinn-fheadhna a bha ann

fon ùir no thar nan cuantan

’s thàinig coilltean ’s hydro ’s caoraich

’s ainmean cèin ùra dhan sgìre

ach tha furan gu leòr air gach mac is nighean

on a h-uile rìoghachd ma ghlèidheas aid a’ chamag

à Sasainn, ’s às a’ Chuimrigh, ’s à Èirinn

’s fiù ’s sluagh à Zambia agus Ceinia

nach b’e fear leis an ainm “Inglis”

a thug geam nan Gàidheal gu bàrr sa Ghleann a-rithist?

ach sin aon ainm cliùiteach eile a-measg

gach sloinneadh eile sa Ghleann ’s san t-Srath,

Clann ‘Icilleathain, Clann ‘icIlFhinnein

Clann ’ic Coinnich, Clann ’ic an Tòisich

Na Geadasaich, Na Gòrdanaich

Na Frisealaich, Na Cuimeanaich

Barr ’s Reid, Black, Dùghlas ’s Rothe

Bell, Phimister, MacRàth, na Leòdaich ’s an còrr

nìthear an còmhstrì fhathast gach bliadhna

ann an Canaich no sa Bhlàr Bheag

Cupa an Dòmhnallaich, ’s Cupa Ali Bhàin

’s Cuach NicIleFhinnein airson nam ban

is nuair a bhios coltas ann

nach làmhadh sgioba air a dhèanamh

’s ann an uairsin a thig a’ bhuaidh gun dùil

a chùmas an caigeann a’ dol gu bràth ann

gum bi na trì cuachan gu sìorraidh làn

le deoch mhilis na camaig gu bràth

’s i an cluith as grinne fon ghrèin a bhios ann

cho fad ’s a mhaireas a’ chamag chianaosta

eadar gach Bràigh agus gach Srath

Suas am ball, sìos am ball

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Strathglass win the Ali Ban for only the second time in 2000

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A' Churachd Ruadh - air a sheinn le Eòghan Stiùbhart, Inbhir Nis

Air fonn "Gabhaidh sinn an rathaid mór.”

Caithidh sinn a' Churachd Ruadh,

Cluithidh sinn an caigeann cruaidh,

Buinidh sinn do Gleann nam buadh,

Bheir sinn buaidh mar b' àbhaist.

Morisnich an gion 's an gruaim,

'S iomadh gaisge a tha riu fuaight',

Cha tig faisg do 'n Churachd Ruadh,

Bheir i buaidh 's gach àite.

Fir Srath Ghlais fo chaiptean airm

O chionn fad' an cleachdamh dearbht',

Fir nach tais - na gaisgich gharg,

A' Churachd Dhearg thug bàrr orr'.

Feachd o 'n Chaiplich 's taic a' chuain,

Aird is Afraic 's fad' mun cuairt

Daoine tapaidh 's dreachmhor tuar,

A' Churachd Ruadh gun nair' iad.

'N Inbhirnis is lìonmhor sluagh,

'M bi cluith 's cleas a deas is tuath,

Cha bu cheist nach toir i buaidh,

Nithear luaidh 's gach àit oirr’.

Ealant', eangach, greannmhor, gleusd',

Cumail teann ri reachdan réidh

Sluagh gun mheang toir hip-ho-ré,

Churachd fhéin a b' annsa.

~ Proph.

~~~

The Red Cap - sung to the tune of "Gabhaidh sinn an rathaid mór"

We will wear the Red Cap

We will play the hard scrimmage

We belong to the Glen of virtues

We will triumph as ever

The Moriston men in avarice and gloom

Many’s the feat that is tied to them

None comes close to the Red Cap

It shall be victorious in all places

The men of Strathglass under the army captain

Long they have been proven at this practice

unyielding men - the fierce warriors

The Red Cap overcame them

A force from Caiplich and the seashore

The Aird and Affric and all around

Strong men of shapely appearance

The Red Cap it embarrassed them

In Inverness full of people

with play and skill from North and South

There was no question it would win

It shall be praised all over

Expert, nimble-footed, brisk, keen

keeping close to the rules of the game

flawless folk shouting hip hooray!

The Cap itself was gladdest

These verses appeared in the "Inverness Courier" in March, 1888 after the second game. In that month Glenurquhart beat Strathglass 1-0. It was said by some after the 1888 game that Glenurquhart won because they had 24 men in the field against the 22 of Strathglass.

The Glen countered with complaints that Strathglass included in their team some players from outwith the district.· The verses were by one who gave his name as “PROPH."

Eòghan sang this song at the Royal National Mòd in Inverness in 2021 which, despite his Strathglass allegiances, he delivered with gusto.

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Iomradh air a' gheam ann an 1887 agus air geamannan eile aig Gleann Urchadan roimhe le Anndra Friseal, fear de na luchd-labhairt Ghàidhlig thùsanach à Urchadan

"Chaidh Urchadan gu Gleann Moireasdan agus chaill iad. Aon tadhal a rinn Gleann Moireasdain. Thàinig iad a-rithist a dh’Urchadan. Bha an dùthaich uile gu lèir ann agus choisinn Urchadan dà thadhal. Cha d’fhuair iadsan (Gleann Moireasdain) tadhal. Aig a’ cheann shìos bha cailleach a sin, cailleach à Gleann Moireasdan is bioran aice. Bha i ga bhriseadh a-bhàn mar sin. Bha mise ’n sin a’ gabhail beachd oirre ach cha do choisinn i."

“Nist an ath bhliadhna Srath Ghlais agus Urachdain. Nist an caiptein bho Cinn t-Sàile, Caiptein ‘Glassburn’ (MacRàth-Siosal), bha e còmhla riutha. Thàinig iad air an trean. Chan eil fhios ciamar a fhuair iad gus a’ Mhanachainn. Fhuair iad a-stigh air Inbhirnis agus ceathrar no còignear phìobairean aca à Glassburn. Choisinn Urchadan dà thadhal agus cha d’ fhuair iadsan tadhal. Cha robh airgead agam fhaighinn a staigh air Inbhirnis. Agus na seann bhodaich a bha seo, chuir iad s`ơs sinn gu ’n Phost oifis an Druim an Drochaid. Bha sinn ceathrar ann cha chreid mi. Gheobhadh sinn bho sin (telegram). Agus fhuair sinn fios de choisinn Urchadan agus bha sinn suas mar gum bitheadh fèidh gu Baile Bheag gu na Seann bhodaich. Sin am baiteal mu dheireadh a chaidh a chur le dhà air fhichead."

~~~

Translation

Andrew "The Brickie" Fraser was one of the last native Glenurquhart Gaelic speakers. He was a boy when the first games were played. He also recounted a bitter match with Glen Moriston before the big Strathglass game.

"Glen Urquhart went to Glen Moriston and they lost. Glen Moriston scored one hail. They came again to Glen Urquhart. The whole countryside was there and Glen Urquhart scored two hails. They (Glen Moriston) didn’t score at all. At the far end, there was an old woman there, an old woman from Glen Moriston and she had a stick. She was breaking it up like that. I was there watching her but she didn’t win.

"The next year it was Strathglass and Glen Urquhart and Captain Macrae Chisholm from Kintail, ' Captain Glassburn' was present with them. They (Strathglass) travelled by train but is not known how they got to Beauly. On reaching Inverness there were four or five pipers from Glassburn with them. Glen Urquhart scored two hails but Strathglass did not score. I had not sufficient money to go to Inverness. The old men here (in Balbeg)sent us down to the Post Office at Drumnadrochit, four of us, I think.

We were to get a telegram there and we got the news that Glen Urquhart won and came up to Balbeg like deer. That was the last contest between teams of twenty two."

Sruth, An Comunn Gàidhealach, 10/8/1967

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Andrew Fraser May 1969

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DASG - Digital Archive of Scottish Gaelic. DASG is an online repository of digitised texts and lexical resources for Scottish Gaelic.

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Gàidhlig Urchadainn - Glen Urquhart Gaelic

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Gàidhlig Urchadainn - Glen Urquhart Gaelic

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Donald Macmillan, April & May 1969

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bacan

Notes: earmark. "Beum-spaid" also used for this earmark.

beum-spaid

Notes: earmark. "Bacan" also used.

caban

Notes: an implement for breaking down lumps of earth after the soil was turned.

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bacan Notes: earmark. "Beum-spaid" also used for this earmark. beum-spaid Notes: earmark. "Bacan" also used. caban Notes: an implement for breaking down lumps of earth after the soil was turned.

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Alasdair Iain Chisholm, May 1969

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DASG - Digital Archive of Scottish Gaelic. DASG is an online repository of digitised texts and lexical resources for Scottish Gaelic.

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Gàidhlig Shrath Ghlais - Strathglass Gaelic

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Gàidhlig Shrath Ghlais - Strathglass Gaelic

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George Moss, 1967

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DASG - Digital Archive of Scottish Gaelic. DASG is an online repository of digitised texts and lexical resources for Scottish Gaelic.

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Luinneag Ghlasach - A Strathglass Ditty (in response to the Urquhart one)

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Luinneag Ghlasach - A Strathglass Ditty (in response to the Urquhart one)

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Luinneag Straghlais - Air a leughadh le Catrìona Reid, Torran Glas, Srath Ghlais

Urchadnaich ghreannaich, ruaidh,

Na tog do cheann cho àirde suas,

Cha chuir sibh 'n còmhnuidh oirnn ruaig

Ged fhuair sibh buaidh an tràth ud.

Na bitheadh 'gar mhealladh fèin

An duil gun d' rinn sibh gnìomh bha treun,

'S e annaibh slaodairean gun fheum

Graisg de bhalaich thàilleir.

Air an lionadh suas le pròis -

Is olc a thig e do bhur seòrs',

'S gun cuireadh pioghaid thar an sgòr

De fhichead 's a dhà dhiubh.

Ach bha na Glasaich riamh gun bheum

Greannmhor, fearail, uasal, gleusd',

An cath gu robh iad neartmhor, treun

Cuir casg' gu grad air namhaid.

'S mar thig a' gheamhradh rithist mu cuairt

Le cota sneachd is reothadh chruaidh,

Cluicheas iad camag mar bu dual

'S gheibh iad buaidh air 's gach ait ‘.

Le Caiptein Siosal air an ceann

A’ toirt dhaibh misneachd anns gach àm,

Duin' uasal eireachdail, neo-ghann

Air nach eil cearb no fàillinn.

~~~~

Red, rough Urquhart-man

Don’t raise your head so high

You won’t always vanquish us

Though you got the win that time

Don’t deceive yourself

or believe you did a mighty deed

you are all useless sluggards

a gang of clubfooted boys

All puffed up with pride

It’s evil that will come to your kind

And that would put a magpie over the score

of the twenty two of them

But the Strathglass men were always without blemish

Lively, manly, honorable, expert

In battle they were strong and mighty

Swiftly putting a stop to enemies

And when the winter comes round again

with a coat of snow and hard frost

they will play shinty as always

and they will win everywhere

With Captain Chisholm in the lead

Giving them confidence at all times

A generous, handsome gentleman,

who has no fault or blemish

Read by Catriona Reid, Torran Glas, Strathglass

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Luinneag Urchadanach - An Urquhart Ditty

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Luinneag Urchadanach - An Urquhart Ditty

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Air a leughadh le Lauren NicNeacail, Baile Mac Cathain, Gleann Urchadainn

'S ann à Urchadainn so shuas

Thàinig oirnn na seòid bha luath,

Cluich air camag mar bu dual

'S a choisinn buaidh 's gach àite.

Chunnaic mise sealladh rèidh

Nuair a choinnich iad ri chèil',

H-uile fear dhiubh ruith 's a leum

Cho luath ri fèidh na fàsaich.

'S ann an sud a bha na laoich -

Na Dòmhnullaich à Innse-braoin

Cuir na Glasaich air an druim

H-uile taobh mar b' fheàrr leo.

Bha "Kilmartin" uasal, fial,

Mar bu dual do chinnidh riamh,

Thug e deoch dhoibh agus biadh

'S tha beannachd Dhia 's gach ait' air.

Ghabh Caiptein Friseil an command

'S e cho duineil air an ceann,

'S cluicheadh e ri fear a bh' ann

O cheann gu ceann do 'n phàirce.

'S e dol an aghaidh Caiptein airm

À Srath-ghlais le daoine garg,

Bu choltach iad ri sluagh gun seilbh

'S a' "churrachd dhearg" toir barr orr’.

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From up Glenurquhart

Came amongst us these heroes who were swift

Playing shinty as always

and who earned the victory in all places

I saw a well-ordered spectacle

when they met together

every one of them running and leaping

as swift as the deer of the wild

There were the heroes

The Macdonalds from Inchbrine

who put the Strathglass men on their back

on every side as they wished

Kilmartin was honorable and generous

As his race as always been

He gave them food and drink

And God’s blessing is upon him everywhere

Captain Fraser took command

So manly to the fore

And he played it to every man

From one end of the park to another

And he went against the Army Captain

From Strathglass with savage men

They were more like a people without fortune

and the Red Cap had the beating of them

From the "Scottish Highlander" 1888/9

Read by Lauren Nicolson, Balmacaan, Glen Urquhart

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Billy discusses what shinty means to him and his community of Glen Urquhart

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Billy discusses what shinty means to him and his community of Glen Urquhart

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Billy discusses in depth the importance of shinty at all levels in Glen Urquhart.

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Billy talks about his memories of Macdonald Cups

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Billy talks about his memories of Macdonald Cups

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Billy discusses his memories of Macdonald Cups - for him it is moments and not scores which standout. His good friend Roy also makes a cameo in one memory.

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Roy talks about his memories of Macdonald Cups

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Roy talks about his memories of Macdonald Cups

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Roy discusses his favourite memories of the Macdonald Cups - his first and his last ones!

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With curator Eòghan Stewart discussing the 2021 Macdonald Cup which was won by Strathglass for the first time in 11 years, Roy and Billy discuss the importance of the rivalry and how periods of dominance come to an end.

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Roy talks about what shinty means to him and his community of Strathglass

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Roy talks about what shinty means to him and his community of Strathglass

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In this recording Roy discusses the revival of shinty in Strathglass, which was helped by his late father Murdo. He talks about his passion for the game. He also talks about the social side of the sport as well as Billy's story telling abilities.

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Shinty Rivalries - The Glen v The Strath, and other clubs

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Shinty Rivalries - The Glen v The Strath, and other clubs

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Roy and Billy discuss why the Glen V Strath Rivalry is so strong

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1. Strathglass

Up the ball, down the ball

between Brae and Strath

Up the ball, down the Ball

between Comar and Kerrow

Up the Ball, down the ball

between Allt a’ Bhodaich and Beith’ òg

Up the ball, down the ball

between Balnahaun and Baile na Bruach

Up the ball, down the ball

Giusachan agus Cannich

every part of Strathglass on the arms

Eskadle and Breckachy

Knockfin and Erchless

Farrer, Affric and Buntait

a ball of Indian Rubber

New Year’s Day and Night

Christmas and Epiphany

the ancient shinty was preferred

Simon at the front

sounding his chanter

my tale is cheerful

and my business is good

the great sport, the tradition

the great shinty game of the Highlands

and for the well at Glassburn

sprung the sweet clean draught of shinty

but it wasn’t a small glass or sip

but a wooden cup that was given to them

full of fresh water and fine tuned rules

Strathglass Shinty Club was founded

“A man on the drink is no equal to the man on the water”

but every man is equal in the clash

a great toast to the Army Captain

Vi Aut Virtute, Strathglass forever

the fierce warriors in their white shirts

and on their heads the Glengarry

and Black Watch trousers

the unyielding men arranged

22 of them, captain and cheiftain

on the great plain in the town

history above them

the battle before them

Up the ball, down the ball

warrior v warrior, hero v hero

2. Glen Urquhart

although my bed is comfortable

it is not sleep that makes me cheerful

where I often was

many days with little care

My caman under my arm

keeping up the shinty

Crasgaig is the real name of Kilmartin

though the caman is indebted to the Campbell

and there and in Borlum

they would play the scrimmage

The Moriston folk all gloomy

their old women breaking sticks

as if doing divination

or trying to wake the fairies of the streams

because the Urquhart men were rising

on the farside of Kerrow Brae

and finally came the challenge

from the fierce Glass warriors

the Chisholms and their company

in Inverness awaiting

it would have been the finest sight

any Urquhart man that day

with his blue shirt and his white breeches

and the Red Cap upon his head

at the Bught Park by Tomnahurich

as they battled and struggled

in the play they zigzagged

in the battle they sprinted

talented, lithe, joyful, quickwitted

without fault the boys winning the game

the Strathglass men wounded

and victory belonged to the Glen of Virtues

the men returning to Temple Pier

but the news having arrived already by wire

the boys as if deers running

with the news to the old men

in Balbeg and Up the Glen

where bonfires would be lit on the hills

at Milton and Balnain

that year and the next

until the battle stopped for sixty years

after the white hare’s mighty goal

3. Today

There are no Gaelic bards here

since Ewen Macdonald passed

It’s long since the “Brickie”

built a house with Glenurquhart Gaelic

Bunloit Gaelic

lives only on paper and screen

but the shinty has not ended

and the people still enjoy it

where there were Glnegarrys

where there were red caps

they wear maroon and blue

or red and black now

although the shinty has been injured many times

it has more often rebounded

right enough the Chisholms have petered out

and many of the natives

those men who were there

in the grave or gone over the ocean

and in came forestry and hydro and sheep

and new strange names to the district

but there is plenty welcome for the sons and daughters

of every nation if they keep up the shinty

from England, from Wales, from Ireland

even folk from Zambia and Kenya

for was it not a man with the name “English”

who lifted up the Gael’s game in the Glen again?

but just one renowned name amongst

all the others of the Glen and the Strath

Macleans, Maclennans

Mackenzies, Mackintoshes

Geddes, Gordons

Frasers, Cummings

Barr, Reid, Black, Douglas and Rothe

Bell, Phimister, Macrae, MacLeod and the rest

They battle each year

at either Cannich or Blairbeg

The Macdonald Cup, the Ali Bàn

and the women for the Macleannan Quaich

And when it seems as if one team

just can’t manage to do it

that’s when they get the unexpected win

that keeps the game going forever

and may the three quaiches be full

with the sweet drink of shinty forever

it will be the finest game under the sun

for as long as the ancient caman lasts

in every Brae and Strath

Up the ball, down the ball

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The project is dedicated to the memory of Jimmac MacKintosh who played for both Glenurquhart and Strathglass for many years and was a lifelong supporter of shinty in the district.

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Glenurquhart Shinty Club were very sad to learn of the passing of former manager and player Jimmac MacKintosh on Tuesday 14th September. He was 82. Jimmac was a key member of the successful Glen side of the early 1960s. He continued to play regularly for the Glen into the mid 1970s and later managed the side for a spell in the1980s. A great supporter of youth shinty Jimmac was involved in setting up with Renee and the late Robert Macdonald the Glen Albyn League. He also accompanied Glenurquhart High School shinty team to Ireland in 2007 and as always was at home in every kind of company. A slater to trade, Jim and his late wife Catriona then developed the Slaters Arms into a must visit destination for hikers, walkers and fishermen visiting Cannich and Glen Affric. A shinty man to his fingertips Jimmac also found time to manage Strathglass and was as supportive of the Glen's traditional rivals as he was of his own native Glen. Despite reduced mobility in recent years Jimmac continued to attend matches in Drum and Cannich and was present at Strathglass's most recent match against Newtonmore. He will be greatly missed not only by his own immediate family but by the whole shinty community. Our sympathies go out to his daughters Alison and Ellis and their families as well as to his sister Beth The funeral service on Monday 27th September 2021 is from the family home (24 McColl Road, Cannich) at 11.00 a.m. thereafter to New Kilmore Cemetery, Drumnadrochit for 1.30 pm. There will be a guard of honour at Glenurquhart Shinty Pitch en route to the cemetery. Flowers welcome. Donations invited for Glenurquhart and Strathglass Kids Shinty Club which may be given at the Service or via Funeral Directors, William T Fraser and Son, Culduthel Road, Inverness. -Ann (Elizabeth Ann) and his brothers John, Willie, Donald Paul and Alistair.
Caption - Jimmac holding court in the Blarmor bar after the Glen's Macaulay Cup win in 2012. The red hat is his version of the "currachd ruadh " the red hat of the original Glen teams which played Strathglass in the famous games of the 1880s.

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The late James (Jimmac ) MacKintosh 1938-2021, Glenurquhart & Strathglass - Shinty.com

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Glenurquhart Shinty Club were very sad to learn of the passing of former manager and player Jimmac MacKintosh on Tuesday 14th September. He was 82. Jimmac was a key member of the successful Glen side of the early 1960s. He continued to play regularly for the Glen into the mid 1970s and later managed the side for a spell in the1980s.