Sportscotland has earmarked nearly £250,000 to develop shinty, the country’s oldest team sport.

The funding will go to the Camanachd Association, the governing body of shinty, to support its continued development as well as the construction of a new shinty pitch.

Around £110,000 of the total grant will be used to deliver a new coaching action plan and the development of coaching education programmes for shinty officials.

It will also assist with the further development of an improved new player pathway and improving systems linked to membership. The improved new player pathway is designed to link schools, youth development and coaching initiatives with shinty clubs helping to attract and retain players and the new membership system will improve communications between the governing body and its members.

The remaining £140,000 will fund the construction of a new shinty pitch at Strachur Shinty Club, on the shores of Loch Fyne.

The 167m x 85m pitch is being constructed to Camanachd Association standards and the whole project is being developed by Strachur and District Development Company

Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell said: “Shinty has strong cultural roots in many Scottish communities and this funding will encourage more people to try the sport while boosting the standard of coaching.

“Providing communities across Scotland with modern facilities of a high standard will help deliver our ambitions for sport.”

The ancient stick sport is played particularly in the areas of Scotland related to the Gaelic population as well as in the cities and the universities of Scotland.