Strathpeffer joiner proud to be named best shinty player in Scotland
BLAIR Morrison has been named the best shinty player in Scotland as the Caberfeidh half-back was named Player of the Year at the Mowi Shinty Awards.
The 26-year-old joiner, who has spent his entire career playing for his home club in Strathpeffer, was awarded the accolade for the first time in his career.
The Scotland international led Caberfeidh to their best ever season in the Premiership when they finished in second place.
He said it made him extra proud to receive the award as a defensive player and says it is recognition how far Caberfeidh have come as a club in recent years.
He said: “I am delighted to receive the award.
“Normally it is the forwards that get a lot of plaudits and headlines, but in recent years a few defenders have been getting the award.
“A lot of progress has been made at Caberfeidh in the last few years.
“We have gained more points each season and we just need to sort out performances in the cup competitions and hopefully we can move on.”
Since gaining promotion to the Premiership from the National Division in 2017, Caberfeidh have progressed from battling against relegation to becoming genuine title contenders.
With the exception of league competitions being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, Caberfeidh have finished higher in the league than previous seasons in the top flight.
Going from eighth in 2018, seventh in 2019 , fifth in 2022, fourth in 2023 and second this season.
Morrison says Caberfeidh have learned from previous seasons which has led to a successful progression in the Premiership.
He said: “We have more experience and different boys coming into the team and they are settling in quite quick.
“Whereas in previous years there was pressure on us to get points quite quickly.
“When we first got promoted, we were looking downwards, aiming to avoid relegation.
“But now we are gaining a lot of points and we are looking in front of us instead.”
Morrison started playing shinty when he was a pupil at Strathpeffer Primary School before going on to Caberfeidh Under-14’s and progressing to the senior team.
His family has a long tradition of playing for Caberfeidh including his grandfather and father.
His brother Craig was the top scorer in the Premiership this season with 36 goals and his cousin Kevin Bartlett is also in the team.
Morrison says playing for Caberfeidh carries a great sense of pride for his family.
He said: “I am from a long line of family members playing at the club.
“There are a lot of pros playing with people you know week in and week out. You know how they play and help them play the best they can and they do the same for you.
“It is a great achievement for the family to have three of us playing at the same time.”
As well as being a top shinty player, Morrison also plays football during the winter. He plays for Invergordon in the North Caledonian League during the winter and Maryburgh in the Inverness and District Amateur League during the summer.
The North Caledonian League and Shinty Premiership seasons do clash at the start and the end of the year. But Morrison says he is still able to balance each sport out.
He said: “When the shinty season is still going, the North Caledonian League starts and I do miss around four to five games at the start of the year.
“The Invergordon manager is quite understanding and that is good to have.”
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Morrison says the next step of progression for Caberfeidh is to win a major trophy.
The last time Caberfeidh won a major trophy was the Camanachd Cup in 1939 and Morrison says he would love to end the 86-year wait for silverware next season.
He said: “You want to play against the best teams and beat them.
“Kingussie are the top team just now. But we are progressing and we want to win a trophy and be in the top end of the league.
“Being named player of the year is the best thing in my career so far. But I want to win a team award.
“Winning a team trophy would not just be good for the club, but the community as well. The club hasn’t seen a major trophy since 1939.
“We are always looking for progression and make that one step further. We will see what 2025 brings. Hopefully it will be a good one.”
