There has been, in recent years, a revival of the ancient game of shinty in Lewis and Harris. Its history goes back some 2000 years to hurling in Ireland and the, now virtually defunct, sport of bando in Wales. The spacious setting (above) for the match between Lewis and Lochcarron (on the Mainland) contrasts with a home fixture venue at Shawbost for the Lewis versus Lochbroom encounter. Space must have been somewhat restricted, in 1695, when Martin Martin reported about the game taking place on St Kilda with 'short clubs and balls of wood' and players competing for 'eggs, fowls, hooks and tobacco'.
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