The Highlands and Islands League is an amateur women's association football league in Scotland, run by Scottish Women's Football (SWF). Founded in 2019, the league sits outside the current Scottish Women's Football League pyramid.[1] It comprises eight teams: one based in Caithness, one in Moray, one in Ross-shire, one in Nairnshire, one in Orkney, two in Sutherland, and one in Inverness-shire.
| Founded | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Country |  Scotland |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| Domestic cup(s) | Scottish Women's Cup |
| League cup(s) | Highlands and Islands League Cup |
| Current champions | Buckie |
| Most championships | Clachnacuddin (1 title), Inverness CT Dev. (1 title), Buckie (1 title) |
| Website | Scottish Women's Football |
History
editIn September 2018, a proposal to create a women's Highlands and Islands League for 2019 was ratified by Scottish Women's Football (SWF).[2] On 25 February 2019, SWF officially announced the creation of the new league.[1] The inaugural season ran from March to October, with each team playing 12 games, and was won by Clachnacuddin.[3] The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]
Clubs
edit2023 season
editThe following eight teams are competing in the Highlands and Islands League during the 2023 season:[3]
| Team | Home ground | Location | First season | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brora Rangers | Dudgeon Park | Brora, Sutherland | 2019 | [5] |
| Buckie | Gordon Park | Portgordon, Moray | 2019 | [6] |
| Caithness | Sir Georges Park | Thurso, Caithness | 2019 | [7] |
| Clachnacuddin | Grant Street Park | Inverness, Inverness-shire | 2019 | [8] |
| Nairn St Ninian | Nairn Showfield | Nairn, Nairnshire | 2019 | [9] |
| Ross & Cromarty | Ferry Brae Park | North Kessock, Ross-shire | 2023 | [10] |
| Orkney | Kirkwall Grammar School | Kirkwall, Orkney | 2020 | [11] |
| Sutherland | Couper Park | Helmsdale, Sutherland | 2020 | [12] |
Former clubs
edit| Team | Home ground | Location | First season | Last season | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inverness Caledonian Thistle Development | Millburn Academy | Inverness, Inverness-shire | 2019 | 2022 | [13] |
| Lewis and Harris | Ullapool High School | Ullapool, Ross and Cromarty | 2019 | 2019 | [14] |
| Kirkwall City | The Pickaquoy Centre | Kirkwall, Orkney | 2019 | 2021 | [15] |
Seasons
edit| Season | Champions | Runners-up | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Clachnacuddin | Inverness Caledonian Thistle Development | |
| 2020 | Season abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic | [16][4] | |
| 2021 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle Development | Clachnacuddin | [17] |
| 2022 | Buckie | Clachnacuddin | [18] |
Highlands and Islands League Cup
editThe Cup competition began in the 2019 season, along with the foundation of the Highlands and Islands League. Lewis and Harris won the first edition.[19]
| Season | Winners | Runners-up | Result | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Lewis and Harris | Clachnacuddin | 7–0 | Caledonian Stadium, Inverness | [19] |
| 2021 | Sutherland | Clachnacuddin | 3–2 | Station Park, Nairn | [20] |
| 2022 | Buckie | Sutherland | 2–2 a.e.t. (3–1 pen) |
Station Park, Nairn | [21] |
References
edit- ^ a b "New Highlands and Islands League set to launch". Scottish Women's Football. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ "Future bright for girls' grassroots football in Highlands and Islands". Scottish Football Association. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Highlands & Islands League". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ a b Clark, Will (27 December 2020). "Highlands and Islands League winning manager Bobby Beckwith steps down as Clachnacuddin Women boss". Strathspey & Badenoch Herald. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Brora Rangers". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "Buckie Ladies". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "Caithness". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "Clachnacuddin". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "Nairn". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ Clark, Will (30 March 2023). "Ross and Cromarty women make debut in Highlands and Islands League". Ross-shire Journal. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ "Orkney". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Sutherland". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ Clark, Will (22 January 2023). "WATCH - Ross and Cromarty WFC to debut in Highlands and Islands League for 2023". Inverness Courier. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ "Lewis and Harris women's team aim for a glorious ending to a memorable chapter". West Highland Free Press. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "Kirkwall City". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "Orkney Women's Football Team Loses Out to Coronavirus". Glow Scotland. 28 May 2020. Archived from the original on 10 Jul 2022.
- ^ "Inverness Caledonian Thistle Development are Highlands and Islands League champions". Inverness Courier. Archived from the original on 28 Sep 2021.
- ^ Highlands & Islands League, season 2022 SWF
- ^ a b Frith, Wilf (25 August 2019). "Lewis & Harris lift first ever Highlands & Islands Women's League Cup". She Kicks. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "SWF Highlands & Islands League Cup Final 2021". Scottish Women's Football - Official Channel. 4 Oct 2021.
- ^ "Brave Buckie battle out historic league cup victory". SWF. Archived from the original on 10 Jul 2022. SWF results (archive)