2021 Camanachd Cup final is confirmed for Kingussie
The Dell will stage next year's Camanachd Cup final after the cancellation of this year's competition, the sport's governing body has just confirmed.
The showpiece had been due to return to Kingussie for the first time since 1999 this September before the season was cut short after just one single round of fixtures by coronavirus.
The 2021 final - which will be the contest's 125th outing – will take place at The Dell on Saturday 18th September.
A Camanachd Association spokesman said: "Following last week's expected cancellation of shinty’s 2020 cup competitions, we can confirm with title sponsor Tulloch Homes and Kingussie Camanachd Club that the plan to host the final in Kingussie will be postponed for one year and will now take place in September 2021."
Hundreds of tickets had already been sold for this year's final and the Red and Blues had lined up an extensive range of events and celebration to mark the return of the final to the Badenoch capital.
Tickets are now on sale, online at www.shinty.com. Early-Bird prices are £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and under 12s go free.
The 2021 final is set to be one of the biggest stagings of the event with live traditional music, entertainment and a dedicated Kids Zone adding to the festival feel.
Gates for next years final will open at 10am on the day with the rising stars of shinty contesting the MacMaster Cup U14 final before the throw-up for the main event in the afternoon.
The Camanachd Cup Final attracts thousands of spectators on the day and is also broadcast live by BBC Scotland across television, radio and online platforms.
Kingussie has a long and proud association with the Camanachd Cup and featured in the first ever final against Glasgow Cowal.
The match took place at Inverness on 25th April 1896 following qualifying.
The Camananchd Association spokesman said: "Great interest was centred in the match, which was played in Inverness at Needlefield – a piece of ground situated between Longman Road and Cromwell's Fort – which was described as being 'in good condition for the game'.
"The contending teams were the Kingussie and Glasgow Cowal, two brilliant exponents of the game. The day was practically observed as a holiday in Kingussie, and the special train which conveyed the team to Inverness brought over 400 persons desiring to see the contest.
"From strath and glen ardent enthusiasts are said to have flocked into Inverness, the streets of which contained an unwanted number of wearers of kilt and knickerbocker.
"Entrance was a shilling, there were around 1000 present. Gate receipts amounted to sum of £41. As the teams lined up on the field, the crowd anxiously weighed up their physical abilities.
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"At the end of the day, Kingussie emerged victorious winning the championship by 2 hails (as they were then described) to Cowal’s 0.
"The news of the victory of the home team was received with much satisfaction in Kingussie and district, and the players were accorded an ovation on their return, met by pipers playing lively airs, and others carrying lighted torches, assembling at the station, and marching through the town, while bonfires were lighted above the burgh and two on the farm of Dunachton."
To buy tickets contact local shinty club or buy online via www.shinty.com .
