Podcast interviews to whet appetite for shinty return

The Caman Connection, commissioned by Shinty Memories Scotland, launched on Saturday when former Scotland captain, musician and BBC presenter Gary Innes spoke to John “Squashie” MacFarlane, a key member of Glasgow Mid Argyll’s famous Camanachd Cup winning team in 1973.

This was the first of five interviews being broadcast in consecutive weeks during March and into April.

Gary took John on a hilarious trip down memory lane from his earliest experience of shinty in Argyll, in Taynuilt, Oban and beyond, culminating in his experience at Claggan Park when Mid Argyll won the Camanachd Cup for the only time in its history.

There were tales of the Bees Knees, trips to Alicante and of the infamous Alister Forbes haircut on the evening the Camanachd Cup was won.

Gary said: “I have always loved blethering and listening to old stories and when you then add in my passion of shinty to the mix, it seemed like the perfect combination to merge them all together.

"It’s already been hugely rewarding to work on The Caman Connection and to get a glimpse into the sport from the various areas and times from the people who lived it and were an integral part of their club’s history has been wonderful.

"If you’re a fan of shinty at all then I highly recommend you have a listen to some of these incredible stories from yesteryear.”

The next two interviews to be broadcast will be with Kingussie legend Ian Ross and Kilmallie’s Derek Fraser, who was a member of Kilmallie’s Camanachd Cup winning team in 1964.

The identities of the other two people being interviewed in the series will be revealed in due course.

Shinty fans should note that the Caman Connection interviews will be available on all podcast streaming services, including Spotify, over the next few weeks and links will also be made available from Shinty Memories Scotland social channels.