WITH the new shinty season due to get started in just over four weeks, clubs are arranging pre-season friendlies to develop match fitness throughout this month.
Kinlochshiel, who step up to the Premier Division for the first time, have organised a busy pre-season schedule with four away fixtures, however, an unplayable pitch at Spean Bridge forced the cancellation of the first of these. Last Saturday, Shiel were due to face Lochaber who finished as runners-up to them in last season's North Division One title race.
This Saturday, Inverness are Shiel's hosts at the Bught, followed by a clash with Beauly at Braeview Park on Saturday, February 18.
To complete Shiel's preparations, a meeting with Wester Ross rivals Lochcarron has been set up for Battery Park on February 25.
Also on the cards on Saturday is a clash between neighbours Lochaber and Fort William at Spean Bridge, whilst North Division Two title hopefuls Glengarry travel south to Argyll to meet Oban Camanachd, who no doubt will begin their rebuilding programme after suffering their first ever relegation from the Premier Division.
Glenurquhart, with Drew McNeil and Fraser MacKenzie taking over the managerial reins, take on local rivals Strathglass at Cannich in the annual MacDonald Cup challenge on Saturday, February 11.
Both teams are in action again the following week, with Glen hosting Lochcarron at Blairbeg Park, whilst Strathglass host Oban Camanachd.
Glen finalise their pre-season plans with a home match against Fort William on February 25.
Plockton's all-weather pitch is the venue for a nine-a-side tournament involving Skye, Kinlochshiel, Lochcarron and Glengarry on Saturday, February 11, whilst on the same day, Skye face Camanachd Cup holders and Premier Division champions Newtonmore in Portree and Inverness travel to Mossfield Park to take on Oban Celtic - with the Robert Wylie Cup at stake.
Holders Lovat defend the Thomas Ferguson Memorial Cup against Skye in Portree on Saturday, February 25.
* Lewis Camanachd faced Skye reserves at Shawbost on Saturday in an inter-island friendly and found their visitors too strong, as they lost 10-2.
Skye's goals came through a Will Cowie hat-trick, doubles from David Grant and John Angus MacInnes, two own goals and a Paul MacKinnon strike. Ruairidh Repeth and Kevin Kennedy responded for the home side.
Lewis continue their preparations for their second season in North Division Three with a trip to Glasgow University on Saturday.
* Ardnamurchan, who have been competing in North Division Three since 2006, have applied to join Marine Harvest South Division Two. Last season, the Strontian club finished ninth in the 10-team league and a decision is awaited from the Camanachd Association on their request to switch their allegiances to the south area structure.
