Skye Camanachd SCIO are making progress with plans to erect a stand at their Pairc nan Laoch home in memory of one of the club’s most prominent figures, Donnie Martin.

An ambitious fundraising drive to raise over £80,000 is underway and donations can be made via JustGiving at the following link The Donnie Martin Stand – JustGiving

Shinty and Skye Camanachd played a major role in Donnie’s life for over 50 years, from when he played Portree High School in the early 1970s until he was Skye Camanachd Chieftain at the time of his untimely passing following a tragic road accident in May 2022. In-between times, Donnie packed in a fulsome shinty career, collecting 4 Sutherland Cup winners medals and a Strathdearn Cup success along the way as he played for, and managed, both the Skye first and second teams. He also coached the club’s youth sides and his abilities were recognised when he was given the “Lifetime Coaching Achievement of the Year” award at the Highland Coaching awards in 2016. He was also Scotland under-21 assistant manager, assisting boss George Stewart, before becoming manager in his own right. He also regularly appeared on Gaelic television and radio broadcasts promoting the club and shinty as a whole.

No one has served Skye Camanachd with distinction in so many varied roles; Chieftain, Chairman (of both Skye Camanachd & Skye Camanachd Social Club), committee member, first team manager, second team manager, primaries coach, youth coach, referee, goal judge, groundsman, spokesperson, fundraiser, the list is endless. He was also the general “go-to” man, no-matter the problem and if he couldn’t fix it, which wasn’t often, he always seemed to know someone who could.

The social side of the game also appealed to Donnie, and he made many friends at clubs across the country and beyond as there were Skye Camanachd trips to Ireland, Cape Breton, where they were joined by Kingussie, and to California. He was always good company with a story to tell and often a song to sing.

When Skye Camanachd originally moved from the King George V playing field, in the heart of the village, to their new home at Pairc nan Laoch in 1998, Donnie was again to the fore. The club showed huge ambition, raising over £500,000 to build a clubhouse that was the envy of all in shinty and Donnie led a small steering group to see the project through. There were many challenges along the way, which were all seen through until the end.

It was perhaps in his role as groundsman that Donnie seemed happiest, taking great pride in maintaining the Pairc nan Laoch pitch. Over the course of each season, the field hosted games involving both men’s and women’s first and second teams, under-17s, under-14s and primaries and his skilled work and effort ensured the pitch was in the best condition possible. This was rewarded when Skye were asked by the Camanachd Association to host Balliemore and Sutherland Cup Finals over the years.

Donnie’s ambition was always that Skye Camanachd could build a main stand at its Pairc nan Laoch home and a group of fundraisers have got together with the aim of ensuring the erection of a 100-seater stand comes to fruition.

There are a series of fundraising events underway as well as the usual grant applications. The Pairc nan Laoch facility is a lasting legacy used by all age-groups and, if you are able to help, you can make a donation at a JustGiving page set up by Skye Camanachd SCIO at the following link The Donnie Martin Stand – JustGiving