Camanachd Dhùn-Èideann is a constituted youth shinty club affiliated with the governing body of shinty, the Camanachd Association (Comunn na Camanachd in Gaelic).

While adult shinty in the Edinburgh area is currently accessible through other clubs including league clubs Tayforth and Aberdour, and Edinburgh University, we aim to provide opportunities for adult players and teams in future, in line with our development plan.

Our teams play in green and blue, with a red and white reserve strip.

The Club was established in 2009 with support from Comunn na Camanachd, and with the help of a grant from Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

It is run by a volunteer Committee elected annually at the club AGM which takes place between November and January. Club coaches have at least a Camanachd Association Foundation Coaching certificate, PVG registration, and are registered with the Camanachd Association.

We provide training in our own right and in partnership with teaching staff at James Gillespie’s High School, where shinty is offered within the PE curriculum.

Together with the Camanachd Association, we offer support for PE and other school staff interested in bringing shinty into their schools either within the curriculum or through extra-curricular activities. This includes extended coaching support and help with equipment costs.

Youth player membership fees are currently £5 per month, year-round, by monthly standing order, with discounts for additional children per family. Fees cover Camanachd Association membership, insurance, most competition fees, training, and equipment. We believe this is outstanding value.

Safety

Played with the correct equipment, shinty is an extremely safe team sport.

The club provides CE-marked shinty helmets with face guards for all players, including anyone coming along to try, and use of these helmets is compulsory for anyone playing or training with our club.

We ask players to purchase and wear shin-guards. We have a small supply of these to lend. Hockey-style guards offer the greatest lower-leg protection, but football shin-guards, preferably with a reinforced ankle strap, are adequate.

Protective hand guards and groin protectors can help prevent painful knocks, and many players or parents like to purchase these.

At training we emphasise safe approaches to the key skills, and we take a pro-active approach to child protection. In addition, the club positively encourages sportsmanship and team reliance among its players, and maintains a club code of conduct.

The club is committed to ensuring that the sport of shinty is played safely, and we ask that parents co-operate with us in ensuring player compliance with our rules.

Opportunity for Involvement

The club will assist any parent, or others involved in shinty, to attend coaching, refereeing, first-aid and other relevant courses if they wish to support the running of the club. We also welcome helpers, supervised where appropriate, in various capacities.

Involvement in the club, helping to develop both our young people, and the sport, is a worthwhile and personally rewarding experience.

Gaelic Connection

The club’s motto is gramail is gaisgeil (determined and brave), and it is no coincidence that this and the club’s name are expressed in Gaelic.

Shinty, while played throughout most of Scotland and even beyond, retains strong links to its Highland, island, local community and West Coast origins. Many in the club have ties to these areas, and a large number are Gaelic speakers, benefitting from a Gaelic-immersion education in Edinburgh.

Club activities are completely accessible to non-Gaelic speakers. However, it is the club’s policy to support and promote Gaelic, as an important part of Scotland’s heritage. We hope therefore to make Gaelic a little more accessible to everyone interested in what we have to offer.