Marine Harvest National Division
Oban Camanachd v Skye Camanachd
Oban Camanachd’s opening fixture is a home meeting with newly-promoted Skye Camanachd at Mossfield.
Oban Camanachd manager Ian Hay has a defensive headache for this one. Full back Gary McKerracher has decided to take a season away from the game, whilst Garry Lord is on holiday. Scott McKillop faces a spell on the sidelines as he recovers from injury. Doctors have ordered McKillop to rest his knee for three months before assessing whether an operation is necessary. Scott MacMillan is suspended.
Daniel Cameron and Matt Rippon could feature at the back and there could be a place for Keith MacMillan who has returned from a two-year injury lay-off.
John MacLeod returns to the Skye Camanachd managerial hot-seat, replacing Willie Cowie following his 12-month stint.
Newly-promoted Skye are boosted by Steven Morrison’s return after injury ruled him out of the 2017 campaign.
However, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, who has shown great commitment travelling from his Glasgow base to represent Skye for more than a decade, has decided not to play this year. Neil MacVicar has left for Kyles so youngsters Connor Gilpin and Ruaraidh MacLeod should feature more, with the latter missing most of last season through injury.
Kingussie v Caberfeidh
Caberfeidh, also promoted form the Marine Harvest National Division at the end of last season, head for the Dell to take on Kingussie.
New Kingussie boss John Gibson can call on the services of Fraser Munro this season which is a boost. Sandy Elrick has also signed from Beauly, although he may start the season in the second team.
Rory MacKeachan is recovering from a tight hamstring but should play.
Caberfeidh manager Jodi Gorski is minus full back Ryan Symonds for this one as he is on holiday. Jamie MacIntosh has been carrying an injury, whilst key player Kevin Bartlett will have an enhanced role off the field.
Caberfeidh’s is banned.
Lovat v Newtonmore
Fraser MacArthur Lovat open against at Balgate.
The sides also met on the opening day of the 2017 shinty season when an Iain Robinson hat-trick helped Newtonmore to a 4-2 win at The Eilan.
Lovat’s Ryan Ferguson is unlikely to be involved with the senior side this term and Duncan Davidson has a hand Newtonmore injury. Youngsters Scott MacKenzie and Mark Kelly are back in manager Fraser Gallacher’s plans following long-term injury.
This is the first time Newtonmore haven’t started the season as reigning champions since 2010 when Danny Macrae captained them to the first of seven successive title successes.
Kenny Ross takes over in goal from Norman Campbell. Defender Ackie MacRae has opted not to play this season but Neil Stewart will be in manager Paul John MacKintosh’s plans.
Glen MacKintosh misses one through suspension.
Lochaber v Kyles Athletic
Lochaber welcome Kyles to Spean Bridge.
New Lochaber boss Neil MacDonald has signed former Newtonmore player John MacKenzie. Keeper Callum MacDonald is sidelined after suffering an accident at work, whilst Brian MacDonald also misses this one as he serves a one-match ban.
Zandz Ferguson available from the season.
Kyles Athletic manager James Perlich would love to go one better than last season’s secondplaced finish. Defender Neil MacVicar has joined the club from Skye, but forward Sandy MacKenzie misses out through suspension.
Fort William v Beauly
Fort William start their push for promotion back to shinty’s top flight against Beauly at An Aird.
Fort William co-managers Victor Smith and Adam Robertson went through a transitional period last season as they lost the services of Niall MacPhee, Gordy MacKinnon, Steven Stewart and Daniel Stewart for different reasons. Youth has been to the fore, with Ally MacRae and Lachie Shaw now established in the senior side whilst Padraig McNeil has rejoined the club after 12 months with Inverness.
Beauly boss Alan MacRae has lost Sandy Elrick to Kingussie. His side had a morale-boosting pre-season win over Glenurquhart.
Kilmallie v Oban Celtic
Kilmallie also have their sights set on promotion and they have home advantage against Oban Celtic.
Kilmallie boss Mark MacPherson is delighted to have Liam MacDonald back after he missed almost the whole of last season and the Scotland forward will captain the side.
Liam Cameron and Robbie MacFadyen are also back after injury whilst Mark Graham, who was assistant manager last year, has indicated he wishes to concentrate on playing this year.
Experienced defenders Allan MacDonald and Peter Carmichael will not be available this term.
Kilmallie trio Craig MacIsaac, Martin Stewart and Michael Rodger all miss the start of the season through suspension.
Oban Celtic manager Kenny Wotherspoon has added Dylan Cooke from Glenorchy to his squad, as well as keeper David Martin and defender Calum MacLean, both from Oban Lorn, but David MacInnes won’t be available.
Glasgow Mid Argyll v Inveraray
Glasgow Mid Athletic will not start of Argyll, this be the relegated from the premiership at the end of last season, have a tricky opener against Inveraray at Yoker.
GMA have signed Scotland U17 cap Jonny MacAskill from Kinlochshiel whilst Ewen Murray is free of injury. Ryan Harrison has told the club he won’t be available this year, whilst Stuart Reid has relocated to Ireland.
Inveraray’s Allan MacDonald is banned for his side’s opening fixture, whilst the Winterton side have signed Craig Taylor from Kilmory.
Inverness v Strathglass
Inverness and Strathglass, who finished in the division’s bottom two places last season, meet at The Bught Park.
Inverness have lost youngster Padraig McNeil who has returned to Fort William after a season in the Highland Capital. Another promising youth, William MacKinnon, will play for Boleskine. Arran MacMaster sits this one out as he serves a one-match ban.
The Inverness first team will be managed by Callum McLeod this season with Drew McNeil taking charge of the seconds and youths.
Strathglass are bossed this year by Bruce Douglas, assisted by Roy MacKenzie. They will be without Hamish Myers for the early part of the season.