Scottish Golf and the Camanachd Association have secured Scottish Government funding to bring golf and shinty to young people across rural Scotland, as part of sportscotland’s £20 million 2026 ‘Summer of Sport’ initiative.
Shinty, a fast-paced Highland team sport played with a curved wooden stick called a caman and a small ball, is one of Scotland’s oldest games and remains especially popular in the Highlands and Islands. Golf and shinty share a common heritage: the modern game of golf is thought to have evolved from shinty players driving balls into holes over rough ground, and the two sports require similar hand-eye coordination and striking skills. Scotland’s top professional golfer, Robert MacIntyre, grew up in Oban with a shinty background.
The joint programme will offer free and subsidised sessions in golf and shinty clubs throughout the summer, aimed at removing barriers to participation such as cost, travel and equipment. It will focus particularly on under-represented groups, including girls, young people facing financial barriers, and those not meeting recommended activity levels.
Scottish Golf’s Community Golf Instructor programme will support delivery, with instructor sessions running in the Highlands and Islands and Argyll & Bute next month to help grow a local workforce of young coaches and volunteers alongside existing PGA professionals.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Minister for Public Health and Sport Maree Todd said the programme “will provide free or subsidised holiday camps in rural communities, removing barriers such as cost, travel and equipment, and will, I hope, develop our next Scottish golfing star… That is a powerful example of what we are trying to achieve: locally delivered and inclusive provision that creates lasting impact.”
Scottish Golf CEO Robbie Clyde said: “We’re immensely proud to support the 2026 Summer of Sport and bring exciting, accessible activities to young people across rural Scotland. This is a fantastic opportunity for children and young people to try something new as we bring golf and shinty together through this partnership with the Camanachd Association.”
Camanachd Association CEO Ruari Davidson added: “Shinty has always been rooted in communities where people come together to play, volunteer and support one another. Working alongside Scottish Golf allows us to build on those shared values and introduce more young people to two sports with deep local connections.”
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