Shinty: 100 years of cup final action at Bught Park

Hugh Dan MacLennan Archive Camanachd Cup winning teamHugh Dan MacLennan Archive
Kyles Athletic celebrating a cup win in 1976

Bught Park in Inverness is celebrating 100 years of hosting shinty's premier competition - the Camanachd Cup final.

The contest goes back 127 years, and the final was held at various locations before Bught became a regular venue in 1923.

That year Furnace beat Newtonmore 2-0 to lift the famous trophy.

This weekend's big game will see Kingussie face Oban Camanachd.

Hugh Dan MacLennan Archive Shinty team Furnace in 1923Hugh Dan MacLennan Archive
Furnace won the Camanachd Cup at Inverness' Bught Park in 1923
Am Baile/High Life Highland Spectators at Bught ParkAm Baile/High Life Highland
Spectators watch from a tree in a final from the early years of it regularly being held at Bught
Am Baile/High Life Highland Cars at BughtAm Baile/High Life Highland
An archive image of the car park at Bught

Saturday will see last presentation of the 127-year-old Camanachd Cup, which is to be retired and replaced with a replica.

Made in Edinburgh and first awarded in 1896, the original trophy has endured years of wear and tear from being passed among players of winning teams.

It is to be put on display at Inverness Castle, a former sheriff court which is being redeveloped as a tourist attraction.

Hugh Dan McaLennan Hugh Dan MacLennanHugh Dan McaLennan
Saturday's final will mark the retirement of commentator Hugh Dan MacLennan

The weekend's final will also be the last to feature commentary by the "voice of shinty", Gaelic broadcaster and shinty historian Hugh Dan MacLennan.

His career in sports commentating started 40 years ago.

Hugh Dan MacLennan Archive Highland dancersHugh Dan MacLennan Archive
Dancers before the 1962 Camanachd Cup final
Hugh Dan MacLennan Archive Shinty at Bught ParkHugh Dan MacLennan Archive
A big crowd for 1988's showdown in Inverness