NCCC PHOTO ARCHIVE BACK TO ARCHIVE INDEX updated 7/12/2005 email us Photos courtesy of Susan Worland Bentley

This panorama of the Dunsmuir shinty pitch/heavy athletics field reveals both its central location and challenging topography.

DUNSMUIR HIGHLAND GAMES (9 - 10 July 2005) Demonstration Match on the Heavy Athletics field (Oakland, California)

Our fifth year as part of the Dunsmuir Games was augmented by the visit of Vicky Maclean, a shinty player from the University of Aberdeen. Vicky played with us both days and got to experience the hillside (or, as we like to say, nearly level) pitch first hand! Our central location as part of the athletics venue (which is occupied much of the day by the heavy events), attracted a lot of attention from the Games' crowd. Our booth provided pictures, written information and a computer presentation about the sport of shinty and our club. A good time was had by all, augmented (no doubt) by the proximity of the Glen Morangie tasting! (More pictures will be added over the coming weeks...)

(Click on picture for larger version)

Mark Lawson (blue/white/grey) avoids Lisa Hill's cleek attempt and passes the ball upfield, Bruce Norris moves to intercept.	Keeper Elheran Francis moves to protect the goal.	Scott Mikusko swings at the ball in midfield traffic.
Clark Lawson tangles with visiting player Vicky Maclean while pursuing the ball.	Sunday's match begins with the toss-up, John Veitch (gold/red) and John Dulac (blue/white/grey) follow the ball.	Lisa Hill and Ruth Mikusko chase the ball as it runs through the goal box.
Our Saturday afternoon teams, the Excelsiors in gold/red and Cabarfeidh in blue/grey/white.	Michael Bentley experiences the difficulty of hitting a corner shot on a hill.	Our Sunday afternoon teams, the Excelsiors in gold/red and Cabarfeidh in blue/grey/white.
What's a little shoulder between friends... Mark Lawson and Bruce Norris battle for the ball.	Scott Mikusko prepares for a free hit during Sunday's match.	And here we see a demonstration of that rare California Shinty Dance from twinkle toes Dulac.
Scottish visitors Nicky Brooks, Heather Claridge and Claire Manson with Elheran Francis.	The shinty versus hurling debate begins early here in California...	... but when you're young why choose only one?!