The Shinty Revival

The Society putting shinty back on the map

When you think of shinty, you might picture a cold Scottish morning — the crash of sticks (or caman) on muddy turf, a game recognised by few outside the Highlands. Often compared to field hockey but known as a more physical alternative, shinty is a true spectator sport. I spoke to club president Niamh Hague to find out why it’s thriving at St Andrews — and why it continues to capture the imagination of so many.

“Shinty is a traditional Scottish sport,” Hague explains. “It’s a bit like hockey but a lot more aggressive, as it is a full-contact sport.” This ancient stick-and-ball game has been played for almost 2,000 years, though the modern version was formalised in 1893 with the foundation of the Camanachd Association.

She also attributes some of the town’s more popular sports to shinty: “Golf, hockey, and ice hockey all come from shinty, so even though it is quite a niche sport, more people have the skills for it than you might think.” If trying a sport you already have the skills for doesn’t appeal, then what will?

Thanks to St Andrews’ diverse student body, the Highland stereotype of shinty has been truly challenged here. It’s no longer a local curiosity but a global team effort, reflecting the sport’s evolution from niche pastime to international game.

“Our team is quite unique, as we have players from all across the world,” Hague says. “It’s really nice to see the sport reaching a wider audience.” It’s not that Shinty has been taken over by newcomers who don’t respect its heritage — rather, Scottish players take pride in seeing their national sport embraced by people from all backgrounds.

“I had actually never heard of the sport before I came to university,” Hague explains. “I was roped into going along to the shinty give-it-a-go in Freshers’ Week for a laugh, but I ended up preferring it to hockey, so I never really turned back.” The club’s welcoming and easygoing approach makes it the perfect place for anyone looking to try something new at university.

“Across the whole club, only one of our players had played shinty before — and he’s the men’s captain,” Hague adds, highlighting the team’s inexperience. “The rest of the team all started playing since they joined the university.” Because of this, the club’s coaching is geared towards improving beginners: “Their confidence is built to the point where they can play matches against seasoned players.”

Off the pitch, the spirit of shinty is reflected by its inclusive and fun socials. As women’s social secretary, Hague orchestrates Shinty’s famous sports nights. “We run themed socials every Wednesday, with the men going to Aikman’s and the women going to The Rule, ending with mixed afters.” And really, who would not want an excuse to hit Aikman’s or The Rule? The socials aren’t just for players either; as Niamh recalls, “We have lots of social members who don’t play the sport but attend the socials on a weekly basis — something I don’t think is very common in any of the other sports clubs.” Perhaps biased as a social host, she still rightly highlights, “I think that speaks to how much fun our socials are.” A theory I may have to test next Wednesday (purely for investigative reasons, of course).

Many students involved in university sport are familiar with BUCS as the main competition, but because shinty is played solely in Scotland, it has its own league among Scottish universities. The team travels the length of the country for matches with plenty of memorable road trips. “Away games are my favourite thing about the club,” she recalls. “Spending days travelling and playing with my team has allowed me to make some of my closest friends at university.”

Hague’s experience is a perfect example of the personal growth the sport fosters. From a shy first year to club president in her third year, she reflected on the role Shinty has played in her university experience. “Probably the standout moment for me was running my first social as president,” she says. “It went so well, and I remember feeling so proud of my own personal growth.” The sport’s balance of fierce competition and friendly community creates a space for students to thrive.

Shinty is a sport undoubtedly on the rise, even in a golf-obsessed town like St Andrews. With such a close-knit and cross-year community, it’s no surprise that interest is growing. “I’ve noticed that the captains have been putting a lot of effort into coaching skills from scratch,” Hague says. “That might mean people feel more inclined to stick around.”

This proudly Scottish sport is enjoying a comeback in St Andrews. With more members joining every year and enthusiasm only growing, it’s safe to say that Shinty is clawing its way back onto the map — one caman at a time.

Image provided by UStA Shinty