An Solas Mor – The Big Light

Strathglass Shinty Club will be holding their annual “An Solas Mòr – The Big Light – Lawrence Jones Memtorial Walk” on Sunday 19th March. This event has been held since 2020 to commemorate the tragic passing of Strathglass player Lawrence Jones in 2019 and highlight mental health awareness in shinty and Highland communities.

The walk will depart from Cannich Hall at 4.30am on Sunday 19th March. The weather forecast is for it to be dry but very cold so people should dress appropriately with strong footwear and warm layers. It will go clockwise around the Fasnakyle Loop out via Kerrow and Comar and back through Cannich Village – a distance of just over 10km and arrive back at Cannich Shinty Park where the walk will end with a short vigil at the apple trees planted on the far side of the park where Lawrence’s ashes are spread as the Sun rises. There will be refreshments afterwards at the Bogcotton Café at the Cannich Caravan & Camping Park.

A spokesman for the club said “Lawrence was such a massive loss to everyone who knew him and loved him at Strathglass and far beyond, he really did light up people’s lives. The walk was one of the last things people did together before Lockdown and it was a positive event that focused minds on a difficult anniversary. It built on similar walks done in Ireland around suicide and mental health awareness. Walking through the darkness into the light with your friends and teammates is very powerful and it has been an important part of remembering Lawrence who was such a big character who gave so much joy to so many people. We’ve carried the walk on in different forms despite the challenges of the last few years. In 2021 we had people all do their own walks for Lawrence wherever they were, including Ireland and Malaysia, and last year we walked the canal together again in Inverness to Dochgarroch. This year we’re taking it home to Cannich, around a loop that Lawrence had planned to run with his dad before he passed. We’ve had players and supporters of other clubs, such as Glenurquhart and Lewis Camanachd do their own walks in solidarity in the past, and these issues affect every shinty community so people from all clubs and none are very welcome to come join us, or do their own walk at the same time. Thank you to his father Matt for offering to host teas and coffees at the Bogcotton Café afterwards, and to him, Lawrence’s mother Fay, and the rest of the family for supporting the event over the years.”

Although the event is about awareness, if people so wish they can make a contribution to Mikey’s Line in Lawrence’s memory Mikeysline – JustGiving Further fundraising events for Mikey’s Line with Strathglass Shinty Club are planned throughout the