Somhairle MacDonald will play for Inverness in Marine Harvest North Division 1 for the 2012 shinty season.

MacDonald informed Skye Camanachd bosses Willie MacRae and Ross Cowie of his decision to make the move from the Islanders and he stated that playing for Inverness would mean considerably less travelling as he lives locally.

His loss is a blow to the Skye as MacDonald’s fine form last season earned him a place in the Scotland senior squad for the Shinty / Hurling double-header against Ireland.

MacDonald will be joined in the Inverness squad by another former Skye Camanachd player as Dougie Rankin has also signed for the Capital side.

Rankin, who also lives inInverness, has left Ballachulish following their decision to field just one team in Marine Harvest South Division 2 next season.

Inverness were to play Kinlochshiel in a pre-season friendly at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 4 February 2012 but the game has fallen foul to a frozen pitch.