Inverness amateur club Loch Ness and Nairn County reserve team accepted into North Caledonian League

Inverness amateur football club Loch Ness along with a reserve team from Highland League club Nairn County will play in the North Caledonian League next season.

Along with North-West Sutherland outfit Scourie, the three clubs have had their bids accepted to play in the NCL for the 2020-21 season.

The North Caledonian Football Association have announced that for one season only, they will split their 13 teams into two divisions.

Division One will consist of last season's top six sides Golspie Sutherland, Halkirk United, Invergordon, Orkney, St. Duthus and Thurso.

Division Two will consist of last season's bottom three clubs Inverness Athletic, Bunillidh Thistle and Bonar Bridge along with Alness United, who return to the league after a year's abeyance, with Loch Ness, Nairn County A and Scourie.

It is hoped the NCL will return to one division of 13 clubs for the 2020/21 campaign.

League secretary Sandy Stephen said: "The two-tiered league structure and the reduced schedule this presents us with gives a variety of options depending on when the season can get going. If we do finish the league campaign early, we have the option of scheduling one of our cup competitions to add to the calendar."

"Moreover, having a schedule to work towards now allows our member clubs to plan financially during this difficult time."

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