Grave concerns were expressed over the proposal to allow the main pitch at the Bught Park to be used by Inverness City Football Club.

George Campbell, president of Inverness Shinty Club, has written to Inverness Provost Jimmy Gray and all Highland councillors in an open letter.

In his words, "to our disbelief and dismay we have been informed that the most famous pitch in the history of the game of shinty is to be infiltrated by a football club."

He outlines the long established ties between the Bught Park and the sport in his correspondence.

Mr Campbell states: "The Bught Park is rich in the history of shinty, with the first recognised organised shinty match being held on the Bught Park, Inverness, between near rivals Glen Urquhart Shinty Club and Strathglass Shinty Club, on February 13, 1887, a match which is continued to this day.

"Inverness Shinty Club was formed in the same year, 1887, and played at various grounds within the town of Inverness at Culcabock, Longman, Victoria Park and Lower Kessock Street.

"In 1923, fields at the Bught were offered to the Town Council by farmer William MacBean for the establishment and use of a permanent shinty pitch."

As Campbell points out, the Bught Park is integral to the history of Scotland's national sport of shinty and was the venue for the first Camanachd Cup Final in 1893, and many memorable finals thereafter.

The 100th final of the Cup was held on the Bught in 2007, which drew a crowd in excess of 5,000 and was broadcast live on BBC television.

The main park at the Bught is the only designated shinty pitch in the city.

Inverness City Football Club normally play at the Northern Meeting Park, and because cricket is played there in the summer, council officials have suggested that the Bught should be used instead.

Inverness Shinty Club have asked officials to reverse their decision to allow football on the main Bught Park pitch but this proposal has come as news to many actual Highland councillors.

SNP local councillor and Strathy shinty correspondent Dave Fallows said: "This is a truly appalling decision, if such a decision has indeed been made.

"Given the national status of the stadium to the sport of shinty, it demands an airing at a full council meeting. This is nothing less than a short term expediency that will damage the reputation and the first class playing surface of the finest shinty facility in the Highlands.

"The news comes just before the final of the North area's flagship MacTavish Cup final, which is always held at the Bught.

"This game is scheduled for live TV coverage. How would it look with football pitch markings and churned up goal mouths in the middle part of the pitch?

"It would hardly be a good reflection on Inverness city and Highland Council.

"If the council can't nourish and protect our cherished indigenous sport, who else will?"

SNP Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson agrees.

He said "I have every sympathy with Inverness City Football Club and their quest for a permanent pitch but am I concerned that a decision appears to have been made that they will use the Bught Park Shinty Pitch without proper consultation with Inverness Shinty Club.

"I understood that the council had agreed to conduct a review of the options and that this was on-going, but it appears that this may have been pre-empted. If this is the case I would ask Highland Council to think again.

"There are other options which can be considered such as fencing off the football pitch adjacent to the shinty pitch, which is already fenced on one side, and allowing Inverness City to use the pavilion for changing.

"Whatever happens, the council must consult all interested parties fully before taking action."

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