ROMANCE OF CUP LIFTS OPENING DAY CLOUDS

THE opening day of shinty's 2015 season may have been a wash-out, but at least we had the Camanachd Cup draw to cheer us up.

A paltry five of 26 scheduled matches survived torrential rainfall overnight on Friday into Saturday March 7 - and predictably the survivors were located towards Scotland's east coast and north east corner.

Not long now - but will Judith let us play?

FANS, followers and players of the great sport of shinty are experiencing that familiar fluttering of butterflies as the Big Kick-off (or should that be Big Throw-up..?) to the 2015 season approaches.

There are some tasty ties lined up for the opening Saturday, March 7, with the juiciest prospect arguably being at the Eilan, where multiple premiership winners and current holders Newtonmore begin their title defence against the redoubtable team from Cowal, Kyles Athletic, fifth place finishers last time around.

And there are many more matches that will be fascinating to watch, as players knock off the winter rust - and snow - for shinty's summer season.

Talking of snow - the weather might just play a part in how the opening day shapes up. Heavy rain is forecast for the north-west of Scotland - and showers are possible anywhere.

As ever, we are at the mercy of the weather gods, and of BBC weather presenter Judith Ralston (pictured), of course.

Go with the flow chart for pitch perfection

WITH the new shinty season due to start next week (March 7) and the weather still showing distinct wintery tendencies, pitches will be under real scrutiny early season to make sure they are fit to play on.

So pay attention, and sit up at the back of the class - particularly you boys and girls from the wild, wet west coast.

TANERA'S CAMAN HOME

The entrepreneurial Alan MacPherson (right) in action for Lovat    Photo: Neil Paterson

A HIGHLAND shinty player is bringing a well known shinty brand back to Scotland.