Funding Programme: LEADER 2014-2020 Programme
Total Project Cost: £170,570.20
Total LEADER Award: £133,195.38
Intervention Rate: 78.08%
Match Funders: Highland Council, SSE Hydro Electric, Club Fundraising
Project: This project involved making major improvements to the facilities at Kingussie Shinty Pitch – The Dell. The project was led by Kingussie Camanachd Club and the purpose was to upgrade the facilities to the standard of a 21st century modern day sports club. This would bring it to a high enough standard allowing the club to host major occasions for example the National Shinty finals, and International matches. The upgrade included:
- 100 seater grand-stand
- Construction of team rooms
- Digital scoreboard
- Sit-on mower
- Tarring the entrance road
- Improving the car-parking facilities
- Connection to the mains electricity supply
Since the completion of the upgrade of facilities in April 2018, Kingussie Camanachd Club hosted their first Final in June 2018, the Primary School’s National Cup Final. Following this the club were awarded the semi-final of the Men’s Strathdearn Cup, and the Final of the Men’s Sutherland Cup, known as the Junior Championship of Scotland, a very big event. Following this the Club hosted the Women’s Camanachd Association National Cup Final in September 2018, attracting a number of visitors from all over Scotland. The Women’s Shinty Association were so pleased with the new set-up of The Dell that they have booked to bring the Women’s Camanachd Cup Final back to Kingussie for a second year running, and will be hosted in September 2019. The Club have also recently submitted a bid for the Men’s Camanachd 2020 Scottish Cup Final, a significant event!
Comments from the Applicant: I feel the project was an even greater success than we ever imagined. The whole process went smoothly and we were guided expertly by the staff at Cairngorms LEADER. The finance from LEADER 2014-2020 has allowed us to completely transform our club and create a state-of-the-art shinty venue. Since the project was completed we have had an overwhelming response from all the other shinty clubs and our venue is in demand more than we expected. Nestling on the banks of the Spey and situated amongst the Monadhliath mountains, we have created a top class Highland venue fit for any gathering.
