Shinty icon takes charge of Kingussie
Ronald Ross has been confirmed as the club's new boss ahead of the 2026 season.
In a shock managerial switch, Kingussie have appointed Ronald Ross as their new first team boss following the club’s annual general meeting.
Awarded an MBE for his services to shinty in 2011, Ronald Ross is an iconic figure in the game.
He’s a multi-winner of every prize on offer and is the only person to score in excess of 1,000 senior goals along the way.
His record haul over a season came in 2002-03 when he scored an incredible 94 times.
Ross was named man of the match in the Camanachd Cup final on four separate occasions between 1997 and 2014, collecting the coveted Albert Smith memorial medal each time.
In 2023, Ronald Ross was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, becoming one of two shinty players to have received this honour, the other being Newtonmore’s Dr Johnnie Cattanach. Sir Kenny Dalglish, Sir Matt Busby, Sir Chris Hoy, Denis Law and Jock Stein are amongst the other inductees.
Ross has previous managerial experience to stand him in good stead having bossed the Scotland senior side for six shinty-hurling internationals over a four-year period. This came after a two-year spell in charge of the Scotland under-21 squad.
Ronald Ross sets high standards and will be demanding of his players both on and off the pitch.
He said: “I certainly wasn’t pushing for the job but now I’m in post, I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s the biggest job in shinty so I’m well aware of the pressure and expectations that come with it. It’s also an exciting time for the club, and I still believe there is growth in the team and we all collectively need to work hard on all parts of our game.”
Ross also paid tribute to previous manager Iain Borthwick as he added: “Iain will certainly be a hard act to follow.”
New boss inherits ‘a good bunch’
Iain Borthwick departs from the first team manager’s role with his head held high having delivered ten of the 12 available trophies from his three-year tenure including a Grand Slam in 2024.
He said: “After we lost the Camanachd Cup final in September, I said that I wanted to win the Scottish back next season, so I was happy to stay on.
“As the season came to an end, I had discussions with the players, and it became clear they wanted a change.
“I’m heartbroken about how it’s happened but I’m glad it’s Ronald who has come in as manager.
“I’ve only ever wanted the best for the club and Ronald is inheriting a good bunch of guys who still have more in them and I’m sure he’s the person who can get that extra bit out of them.”
Ronald Ross has seen his charges drawn against newly promoted Lochaber at The Dell in the opening round of the 2026 Macaulay Cup. He said: “Our side of the Macaulay draw brings together the top eight teams in the north. All you can hope for is a home draw which we got so you can’t ask better than that.”
The Kings have also confirmed that legendary manager Ian Ross MBE will be their new club chieftain.
Ian, who is Ronald Ross’s father, takes over from Joe Taylor who passed away earlier this year and who had held the role since 1992. Ian Ross was a Camanachd Cup winner for Kingussie in 1961, but it was as their manager that he dominated the game. Such were his extraordinary successes from the touchline that one of the stands at The Dell is named in his honour.
Experienced businessman Scott Shiells was the third appointment of this new era, taking over as Kingussie president.
Former Grand Slam winning first team manager John Gibson stays on in charge of the Kingussie second team.
[Source: Press and Journal]
