The Great War hit many shinty playing communities hard, where clubs lost generations of men. Shinty players were regarded as some of the most able bodied men in highland communities and would regularly be front and centre of the queue when enlisting.
Beauly was no different from many other Highland clubs with many of their outstanding 1913 Camanachd Cup winning team signing up and later going on to battle. Following shortly on from this great victory, the perils of war were about to change everything for the club. Many of these Highland Sporting Heroes would pay the ultimate sacrifice with a total of 25 of the 1913 Cup winning side players lost.
This devastating impact to the club is perhaps personified through the tragic story of 1913 Camanachd cup winning Captain Alastair Paterson and his brother Donald. Donald, who was both an outstanding shinty player and a highly talented piper served in the 4th Cameron Highlanders and bravely fought in the Battle of Festubert in May 1915. Both Donald and his brother Alastair were killed alongside more than 16,000 British casualties during the 11-day battle.
Recovered from Donald’s belongings on the battlefield were a set of blood stained pipes and a musical manuscript celebrating The Beauly Shinty Club where it is believed the pipe tune itself reflects the clubs Camanachd victory in 1913. These belongings were forgotten for decades until they were recovered during their niece Anne Mary Paterson’s house move.
The pipes themselves have been restored and are looked after by Donald MacGillivary, who has played the pipes in locations around the world including Copacabana Beach in Brazil. These pipes and pipe tune signify the pain and hardship Beauly and wider Highland community would have had to endure.
These shinty heroes are still remembered today both through Donald Macgillivary’s performances and the current clubhouse name recorded as the Paterson Pavillion which was opened by Anne Mary Paterson (niece).
Teagan Young
Fortrose Academy // Cromarty Community Rowing Club
Teagan was brought up in the Black Isle and loves to row, she has a pet dog called Dexter and her dad is the Harbour Master. She’s been around water her whole life so she is very keen to be out in it whenever she can be.
Teagan joined the rowing club three years ago and prefers to be on stroke when she’s in the boat. Her technique has improved greatly and she’s really looking forward to the next regatta. Teagan has been volunteering at the Youth Café for a few years now, she is a volunteer and a leader. She looks forward to it every week.
