The winners of two of shinty’s biggest prizes will swap the pitch for one of Scotland’s biggest stages when they are honoured at Hoolie in the Hydro in Glasgow this December.
The 2026 Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup and Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup champions will be invited on stage in front of thousands of music fans as the worlds of shinty and traditional music come together.
The celebration forms part of the continuing partnership between Hoolie in the Hydro and the Camanachd Association, with the Women’s Camanachd Association also joining the partnership this year as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Both winning teams will join Hoolie organiser, musician and former shinty player Gary Innes on stage at the Hydro, giving players another opportunity to celebrate lifting their respective national trophies.
For Innes, the connection between shinty and traditional music is a personal one after his own years playing the sport and the friendships he made through it.
He said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be continuing our partnership with the Camanachd Association, while also partnering with the Women’s Camanachd Association this year, which is particularly special as they celebrate 25 years.
“Shinty has given me some of the greatest days of my life, as well as friendships in Lochaber and further afield that will last a lifetime.
“I’m over the moon to be able to give the winning teams of the Camanachd Cup and Valerie Fraser Cup the opportunity to join us at the Hydro in December.
“Every winner is a local hero, not only in their sport but within their communities, and they thoroughly deserve their moment on stage to celebrate their achievement.”
The inclusion of the Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup champions carries particular significance during an important anniversary year for the women’s game.
Women’s Camanachd Association President Karen Williamson said:
“We are delighted to be part of this partnership with Hoolie in the Hydro and particularly excited that our Valerie Fraser Cup winners will have the opportunity to celebrate their success on such a fantastic stage.
“2026 is a hugely significant year for women’s shinty as we celebrate 25 years of the Women’s Camanachd Association.
“To have our cup winners recognised alongside the Camanachd Cup champions is a brilliant way to celebrate how far the women’s game has come and the people who continue to make it special.”
Shinty and traditional music have shared deep roots across Highland communities for generations, making their meeting on the Hydro stage a natural fit.
Aarron Duncan-MacLeod, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Camanachd Association, said:
“There is a natural connection between shinty and the music and culture of the Highlands, so we are delighted to continue our partnership with Hoolie in the Hydro.
“Winning a national cup is a huge achievement for any team and the opportunity to take that celebration to the Hydro gives our champions another moment to remember.
“Gary of course understands what these occasions mean because he has experienced the highs of shinty himself, and we are hugely grateful for his continued support of the sport.”
Before the champions can enjoy their moment beneath the lights of the Hydro, however, there remains the rather important business of deciding who gets to lift those two famous trophies.
The Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final takes place on Saturday 19th SeptemberandMowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final will take place this Saturday.
Hoolie in the Hydro takes place on December 12th tickets are available here
