Shinty is widely renowned across Scotland as it’s oldest sport; one that brings communities together, helping them connect over a mutual love for sport, regional pride and ancient rivalries. Although it is draped in culture and tradition, shinty continues to thrive, with the sport growing amongst women and girls, and new clubs being set up all over Scotland. It is an exciting time to be involved with the sport.
Historically, being a sport played throughout rural Scotland, shinty provides players, coaches and supporters with an opportunity to passionately represent where they are from, whilst playing a sport that is deeply steeped in history throughout their local communities.
Community pride in Kilmallie
Founded in 1929, Kilmallie Camanachd Club, covering the areas of Caol, Corpach, Banavie & Camaghael, in Fort William, is a club found competing against some of the sport’s top teams. With the men’s senior team winning the 2026 iteration of the Balliemore Cup, having survived a nail-biting 3 goal comeback from Lovat Camanachd club, to win 4 – 3, locals to Kilmallie’s home ground Cannel Park have had a lot to cheer for.
Over the past 14 years, Kilmallie has grown significantly. In 2012, the club had four teams representing them, whereas now, they boast an impressive nine teams. In 2026, Kilmallie Camanachd Club decided to launch their most recent venture, creating their first ever senior women’s team. At the heartbeat of the senior women’s team is their 14-year-old captain Aisling Flavin, who has helped the team have an extremely successful first season, finishing third in the South Division.
Although they have only just finished their first season, the feeling of representing their local area is something that provides Aisling and other players with immense pride. Aisling commented: “Kilmallie Camanachd Club definitely means an awful lot to the local area, because the club’s pitch is right in the centre of the village, and it is a big part of the community, tradition, and culture of the area.”
“I love representing the area, lots of people know Killmallie, and when you go away to play another team, you get to wear your team strip, and getting to meet other people that know where you are from is really special.”
For many of Kilmallie’s women’s team, being part of the club’s first senior female team means a lot more. It provides many individuals with a pathway to keep competing in the sport “It’s really cool, and it’s great, because obviously I was Kilmallie under 14, but after that without the women’s team I would have had nowhere to play shinty, so I would have had to stop. Whereas I now have the opportunity to keep going and get better and meet new people” Aisling said.
It may be Kilmallie’s first women’s team, but, having experienced the power of female role models, Aisling is keen to use the momentum and new exposure to get more individuals involved in the sport. Aisling commented: “Having role models in sport is definitely very important, because it shows what is possible if you put in the work. With women’s shinty, growing up I could see a couple of older girls playing with the boys and playing really well, Then me and my friend became those two girls playing in the boys team, and it was really cool, because it showed me that I was able to do it and continue to play and be competitive.”
Growing participation and confidence
A further team who have been at the forefront of Scotland’s evolving shinty scene is Stirling Shinty Club, having recently launching two new teams. Having just finished their second year in the men’s senior leagues, and the first year for the women’s team, Stirling is Scotland’s newest club.
Everyone involved with the club are extremely proud of the growth in playing numbers, supporters, and the community that surrounds it. Stirling’s senior women’s team captain Sarah Savaridas has been heavily involved in the creation of the women’s team. Having played throughout university, Sarah first became involved in the club by taking part in a training session for women and girls two and a half years ago.
Since the women’s team launched at the start of the season, the continued growth has been amazing to watch, seeing players and coaches go from worrying about not always having enough players, to having extra players on their last game of the season. One factor that Sarah believes has impacted the increase in interest and participation is the fact that a lot of players come to the sport new: “I think shinty is a great sport that people who aren’t necessarily the most sporty can pick up, because the vast majority of players are coming to it new, and I think that is quite unique.” Sarah said.
43-year-old Sarah is extremely passionate about shinty continuing to grow within Scotland, not only being keen to see traditions passed down, but also seeing the sport continue its growth within women and girls, saying: “It is incredibly important for new teams to start, if you want to keep shinty growing. The more teams and players you have, the greater the profile.”
“Women’s shinty has grown massively since I was at university, at the time there wasn’t even a separate university league, and there is now, and it is great to see how much women and girls sport have grown.”
Along with seeing the sport continuing to grow, Sarah is keen for Stirling Shinty Club to provide role models for those in the community, she commented: “It is incredibly important to have role models, especially in the social media world, our sport is an opportunity for younger girls and players to see normal, healthy, and confident adult women playing sport, it is great.”
“There aren’t many places where women are allowed to be physical and assertive, and for that to be seen as a positive. I think that having the women’s shinty team providing opportunities for women and girls to be competitive on an equal playing field is incredibly important.”
