The weather could be the big winner ahead of the shinty fixtures on Saturday 28 March 2009.

The Camanachd Association rules in relation to cup competitions dictate that ties can be reversed should the home team’s pitch be unplayable.

The Kinlochshiel v Kingussie tie has been switched to the Dell as Kirkton is unplayable. However there has been heavy rain in the Badenoch area over the last 48 hours meaning that this tie must be in some doubt. Shiel have no injury worries but the Kings will be without suspended duo of Russell Dallas and John Hutchison. They are also without Paul Gow, Rory Brown and Lewis Munro. The winners will host Glenurquhart in the quarter finals.

The match between Inverness and Beauly has also been switched from the Bught to Braeview and again, an early morning pitch inspection will determine the outcome. The winners face a trip to Lovat or Strathglass in the quarter finals.

Fort William will carry out an early morning pitch inspection on An Aird and should their pitch be unplayable, the tie could switch to Portree. The Skye Camanachd second team are scheduled to face Lovat in Portree, however if Pairc nan Laoch is only deemed playable for one match, the MacTavish Cup match will take precedent. Chris Bamber is suspended for the Fort who have have doubts over John MacLeod and James Clark and Garry Innes may only be available for part of the match because of his committment to his band Box Club. However Drew Ferguson returns whilst Skye will be minus AB Connor who is on Tartan Army duty in Amsterdam. The winners will host Kilmallie in the quarter finals.

Newtonmore take on Kilmallie at the Eilan but this match will again be subject to an early morning pitch inspection. The winners will host Caberfeidh or Lochaber in the quarter finals.

Lovat take on Strathglass at Balgate in the battle between the sides relegated from the 2008 Marine Harvest National Premier League.

Caberfeidh host Lochaber at Castle Leod and the away side will be favourites to progress.