Highlands and Islands League
Football league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 clubs | 8 |
| Domestic cup | Scottish Women's Cup |
| League cup(s) | Highlands and Islands League Cup |
| Current champions | Buckie |
| Most championships | Buckie (3 titles) |
| Website | Scottish Women's Football |
History
In 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
2023 season
The 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
| 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
Highlands and Islands League Cup
The Cup competition began in the 2019 season, along with the foundation of the Highlands and Islands League. Lewis and Harris won the first edition.[22]
| Season | Winners | Runners-up | Result | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Lewis and Harris | Clachnacuddin | 7–0 | Caledonian Stadium, Inverness | [22] |
| 2021 | Sutherland | Clachnacuddin | 3–2 | Station Park, Nairn | [23] |
| 2022 | Buckie | Sutherland | 2–2 a.e.t. (3–1 pen) | Station Park, Nairn | [24] |
| 2023 | Buckie | Caithness | 3–1 | Station Park, Nairn | [19] |
| 2024 | Buckie | Sutherland | 1–0 | King George V Park, Golspie | [25] |
| 2025 | Shetland | Sutherland | 7–0 | Station Park, Nairn | [26] |