Nationwide Appeal Launched For Lost Shinty Photos | |
06 September 2013 The Camanachd Association have launched an appeal asking people to help them find the missing images which will enable them to chart the complete history of the Camanachd Cup. The sport’s most famous prize will be up for grabs for the 106th time next Saturday (14th) and a special photo display illustrating its story is to be shown for the first time. For some years, shinty historian Hugh Dan MacLennan has been collating images of victorious Cup winning teams, stretching back to the first final in 1896. Donations of images have come from forgotten boxes, attics, private collections and old yearbooks and, combined with snaps from other donors, only 19 are still to be located. Those that are available, including images from the 19th Century, will form a special display at the Nevis Centre in Fort William next Friday night; the eve of the final between Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore at An Aird Stadium. The exhibit, put together with the help of the trophy’s sponsors, Scottish Hydro, will be seen by attendees of ‘Shinty’s Heroes’, a special show remembering the sacrifices of Shinty players during the Great War. Now officials are asking people who may have shinty connections to check their closets and chests for the missing images; the oldest being Beauly’s winning team of 1898. Camanachd Association Chief Operating Officer Torquil MacLeod said: “This collection builds a fascinating overview of the Camanachd Cup and all the people who have been part of the competition’s rich story since Kingussie won the first final way back in the 1896. “It is a special competition in Scottish sport and what would be great now is if we could get people to help us locate those final pictures so we can complete the set, which has been brought together over many years.” A large number of the missing photos, ironically, are of next Saturday’s finalists Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore, who lock camans for the game’s biggest honour. There are eight lost images of Kyles’ winning sides while Newtonmore are minus six. Historian MacLennan, whose work has made the display possible, reckons the pictorial recap will re-awaken memories for many different generations. “The pictures really bring past victories to life. They have come from many different sources over time. There were a lot of images from the private collection of the late Jack Richmond of Newtonmore, for example. “While it is something everyone will enjoy, I think it also highlights the need for a wider collection of material like this because people are coming forward with archive stuff all the time. “It would be great if it could be collated in a web-based archive so it would become accessible to everyone. Technology has opened the door for this type of presentation.” The missing photos are: 1898 Beauly, 1904 Kyles, 1906 Kyles, 1910 Newtonmore, 1922 Kyles, 1926 Inveraray, 1927 Kyles, 1930 Inveraray, 1935 Kyles, 1936 Newtonmore, 1950 Newtonmore, 1955 Newtonmore, 1956 Kyles, 1958 Newtonmore, 1959 Newtonmore, 1965 Kyles, 1969 Kyles, 2007 Fort William, 2008 Fort William. Those wishing to see the images can purchase tickets for ‘Shinty’s Heroes’ through Ticketmaster, with the show taking place at 7.30pm at the Nevis Centre. |