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Hebridean shinty sides to meet in historic fixture
SEPARATED by 30 miles of the Minch but joined by an ancient cultural and linguistic bond - the Islands of Lewis and Harris and the Isle of Skye have much in common.
The shorter the distance however, the bigger the differences are, or appear to be. In that regard, the proliferation of shinty in Skye and its almost complete lack of absence from modern day life in Lewis and Harris can be seen as one of these markers of cultural difference alongside the pronunciation of the word 'bainne' in Gaelic.
However, those who are regular readers of the Gazette will know that shinty and the Lewis are no longer mutually exclusive and indeed have not been since Boyd MacKenzie and his work with Back Camanachd since the 1990s.
Over the last four years, Camanachd Ledhais has entered mainland cup competition and faced some of the biggest names in the sport, including Fort William and Kingussie.
Some of the score lines have been a tad rough but the very fact that a senior shinty club exists on Lewis is an achievement in, and of, itself.
The next chapter of this story takes place this Saturday as na Ledhasaich come face to face with a club who are the benchmark for success - Skye Camanachd.
This Strathdearn Cup first round tie has brought into the focus the links between the two islands and the two clubs.
The match throw-up is at 2.45 pm at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree and the support of any islanders travelling through Skye to the Harris Ferry will be warmly received.
Strathdearn Cup
Camanachd Ledhais V Skye Camanachd
Saturday, May 1, 2.45pm
Referee John MacLeod
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Weather for Stornoway
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
