VIDEO: Kingussie shinty twins in 'Everest' race to avoid ultimate forfeit
A dyed-in-the-wool Kingussie shinty fan has had to wear the colours of rivals Newtonmore after losing out to her twin.
Twins Jeanette and Elizabeth McGregor, known as Netty and Betty to team-mates at Badenoch Ladies Club, led two teams on a five-mile challenge on Sunday in the name of charity.
Organisers calculated that Mount Everest was the equivalent of 57,455 steps for the Women’s Camanachd Association (WCA) fundraiser for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS).
So between them each member of the two vying teams had to log 9576 steps, which was rounded up to five miles each.
The combined times were recorded on the app Strava with the forfeit for the losing captain being to sport the famous Blue and White jersey. Team Betty scaled Everest in 7 hours 17 minutes and 46 seconds – giving them a clear winning margin over Team Netty in 7 hours 58 minutes and 38 seconds.
Loser Netty was philosophical after donning the ’More top and a luminous pink ballet skirt. She said: “The challenge went well. All the girls at the WCA enjoyed the banter in organising the event – and the forfeit!
“As well as the walk itself, I think the rain held off for everyone so that was a bonus with the forecast.
“Despite team Betty winning, the real winners are CHSS.
“The legs are all good. I have a few blisters from a poor choice of footwear and there were maybe a few sore heads after a Zoom quiz to toast the winners. And I’m hoping I won’t be banned from The Dell!”
“At this moment we have raised over £1700, which is an incredible amount for CHSS.”
Following the relaxation in lockdown on exercise time, the women from far and wide in the Highlands were able to clock up their steps outside.
The challenge coincided with what would have been the opening round of the WCA Camanachd Cup.
Both McGregors have gained international honours, while brother Bob featured as keeper for Kingussie’s title-winning Premier side last season.
Team Betty consisted of keeper Elizabeth, who plays in goal for her club and Scotland. She is also the fixture’s secretary of the Women’s Camanachd Association.
Supporting her were WCA president Lisa MacColl (Aberdour), Camanachd Association director Lindsay Bradley (Ardnamurchan), Karen Williamson (Invergarry), WCA vice president Taryn Neilson, WCA events co-ordinator (Aberdour) and Natasha Andean (Badenoch) WCA treasurer.
Team Netty comprised defender Jeanette, NHS worker Niamh Donnelly (Aberdour), shinty referee Tina Marshall, Claire Delaney (Lochaber), Gillian Brown (Aberdour) and under-18 league co-ordinator and WCA secretary Melanie Williams, from Bute.
n Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/womens-camanachd-association
