Shinty Festival a First for Tayside – Over 50 Pupils Take Part in Ground-breaking Event

The Camanachd Association is proud to highlight a landmark development for shinty in Tayside as over 50 pupils from six schools took part in the region’s first-ever Tayside Schools Shinty Festival. Hosted at Bertha Park High School, the event was a collaborative success between Perth and Kinross Active Schools, Perth and Kinross Council, Gaelic teacher Marcas O’Saidhail from Breadalbane Academy, and the Camanachd Association.

Schools involved included Breadalbane, Goodlyburn, and St Dominic’s RC from Perth and Kinross, and Monikie, Arbroath, and Colliston from Angus. The pupils, many of whom were new to the sport, enjoyed a fast-paced introduction to shinty – blending fun, fitness, and cultural learning.

The festival supported wider curriculum goals, linking sport to Scottish history and the Gaelic language. It has already inspired interest in extracurricular shinty clubs and laid the groundwork for more structured activity in the region.

Alaina MacLennan, Regional Development Officer at the Camanachd Association, said:

“It is brilliant to see so many young people picking up a caman for the first time. This festival is a fantastic example of how partnership working can open the door to new communities and support our ambitions for growing the game. We’re excited to continue supporting schools and clubs across Tayside as the sport develops locally.”

This pioneering festival demonstrates the potential of shinty to thrive in new areas. The Camanachd Association extends its thanks to all partners involved and looks forward to further opportunities to grow the game in Tayside and beyond.