From the archives: Sporting past is revealed with shinty probably most deeply rooted in the history and culture of the Highlands
Our theme for July is sport and leisure and we have been showcasing examples from the archives relating to pastimes on our social media platforms.
Of all the sports that feature in the archive the one probably most deeply rooted in the history and culture of the Highlands is shinty. It has been played here for centuries and was viewed as important in the training of warriors.
The Highland Archive Centre has the records of the MacTavish Camanachd Association (dissolved in October 1960 to be reconstituted as part of the North of Scotland Shinty Association). The collection contains minutes, annual reports, financial records and programmes from 1904-1998.
An entry from the minutes written at the end of World War I reflects some of the warrior spirit of shinty players: “The young wielders of the Caman we are proud to think were among the very first to turn to the grimmer game of War, and as in days gone bye they had played the grand old game of Shinty with all their hearts and souls and with the vigour characteristic of their Highland breeding, so too in the sterner game did they put their backs into it to such purpose that they gained the admiration of the whole world, and earned undying distinction as the best fighters in the best Army engaged in that terrible conflict.”
It continues on how important the sport was to many: “while in training they almost instinctively, as it were, turned to it for their recreation, and even when back for their short rests out of the trenches they sought a game behind the lines. It is not surprising, therefore, now that that nightmare has passed that we find something in the nature of a revival in the love of the game.”
Examples of more gentle pastimes are also contained in the collections. Found within the Northern Meeting collection, is correspondence requesting the use of the Northern Meeting rooms and pavilion from various organisations including the Episcopal Church, Thistle Football Club, Perth Hunt, Cricket Club and Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds. With the park and rooms being a social hub for Inverness in the late-19th / early-20th century, it provides a varied glimpse into what activities were available in that era.
One letter, from July 1884, regards a Mademoiselle Loewenstein, a dance and calisthenics teacher based in Strathpeffer who wanted the rooms for her class. Calisthenics was a popular form of keep-fit for women in Victorian times as their fashions restricted athletic movement, and so this gentler form of “working out” was seen as best for strengthening muscles and maintaining flexibility.
The next Learn with Lorna talk, broadcast live on our Facebook pages at 11am on July 22 will look at Sinclair Mackay, “Mr Football”; followed by a look at our shinty collections on July 29.
• The Highland Archive Centre is open by appointment only, with bookings for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To book or enquire about remote archive or family history research email archives@highlifehighland.com or call 01349 781130 or visit here.