Scottish Blog

Shinty is a sport that is almost exclusively played In Scotland.

Shinty is best described as being similar to field hockey. Each team consists of twelve players which include the goalie, playing on a field that is 140 to 170 yards in length and 70 to 80 yards in width. Generally a game of Shinty consists of two 45 minute halves.

Although there are many similarities in the look and play of Shinty and field-hockey, but equally there are just as many differences. In the game of Shinty, players are allowed to play the ball in the air and use either side of their sticks. The stick is allowed to be used in blocking and hacking at the ball in the opposing player’s possession. Tackling is allowed in the same shoulder to shoulder style of football. The ball may also be played with the chest and blocked with two feet or stopped with one planted foot. The goalie is also allowed to stop the ball with an open palm. It is also said that this set of rules for Shinty was the forbearers to modern ice-hockey, as Scottish immigrants to Nova Scotia were recorded playing the game on ice as early as the 1800’s.

Until 2003 Shinty was played in winter but not in snow. In 2003 a trial began to play the game during the summer month. The success of this trial led the organizing Shinty body, Camanachd Association, voted in favor of the game proceeding in the summer season.