Skye Camanachd AGM

and commentated on the playing side of the game for the BBC from 1968 to 1991, including the day Skye Camanachd won the Camanachd Cup in Fort William in 1990.

He provided results for BBC Scotland, BBC Highland and Gaelic radio and television throughout that time.

He also wrote for the Scotsman, Sunday Post, Press and Journal, Highland News and West Highland Free Press.

Shinty historian Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan said: ‘John Willie was one of my best friends and greatest mentors. He has left a record of the game which is incomparable in the form of results of matches and competitions extending throughout his media career which is held in the Highland Archive in Inverness. He became known as the ‘Voice of Shinty’ through his radio work and distinctive presentation and delivery. He was a man who placed his family and his faith above all else and will be sorely missed. He was one of the most distinguished servants of the sport and heritage of the Highlands, ever.’

Distinguished

Camanachd Association president Keith Loades added: ‘John Willie Campbell was one of the most significant figures in shinty in the 20th century. He served the game in every capacity from his boyhood as a player in Skye, through university to the full range of administrative duties and responsibilities imaginable. He will be remembered as a distinguished president who navigated stormy waters in the 1980s and faced many challenges with a calm and dignified manner. He would never have been happier than the day Skye Camanachd won the Camanachd Cup in 1990. Beyond the shinty community, John Willie was one of the best-known voices in Scottish broadcasting and an outstanding chronicler of the game’s playing side.

The Camanachd Association and shinty in general will be forever in his debt and his passing marks the end of an era and a contribution to our sport and heritage which is unlikely to be matched. The sympathy of the association and its members and the wider shinty community is extended to Margaret in Errogie, his son Donald in Edinburgh and daughter Shona in Inverness, his grandchildren and the extended family and friends in Skye and elsewhere. Fois is sith dha.’ John Fraser but he, too, has stepped down. The club is looking for new managers who have the ability to monitor and enhance performances and improve skills by providing training, encouragement and constructive feedback. Good communication skills and critical thinking are also prerequisites.

Applicants should have shinty management experience and the ability to work with players as well as the commitment to travel on a Saturday for home and away games.

There is first aid and physio support in place and there will be assistance available for midweek fitness training if required.

Anyone interested should contact Aeleen Campbell on 07760 155313 or email aleenrecampbel@hotmail. co.uk. Alternatively, contact John Delaney by email at johndelnevis@ gmail.com Skye Camanachd held its annual general meeting at its clubhouse at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree, on Thursday December 6.

Douglas MacDougall stood down as chairman after three years but stays involved at the club. Fiona Cruickshank is the new chairwoman, whilst Thomas Wilson stays on as vice chairman.

Marion Gillies is the club’s new secretary, taking over from Chrisanne MacDonald, whilst Alasdair Bruce remains treasurer.

Donnie Martin and Ross Cowie both retired from their roles with the club. Donnie Martin served the club as player, youth coach, manager, chairman and groundsman amongst other roles since the early 1970s.

Ross Cowie’s involvement with the club stretches equally far back and includes managing the team to Camanachd Cup success in 1990.

Skye Camanachd’s new board of trustees will be confirmed in January.