Ruaridh Anderson follows in father’s footsteps after being named Kingussie captain

Ruaridh Anderson continues a proud family tradition as he’s named new Kingussie captain for the 2026 season.

His father Davie Anderson skippered the side in both 1985 and 1996 whilst grandfather Ian Anderson was captain in 1964 and 1973.

Ruaridh Anderson said: “It’s a massive honour. We’re a tight-knit group both on and off the pitch so I’ll take great pride in leading the boys out on a Saturday.

“There’s been a great atmosphere around our preseason and we’re buzzing to get going again.

“A lot of credit is due to ‘Corky’ (Iain Borthwick), our previous manager, who helped massively with our recent successes and togetherness. Ronald’s introduction this year has further added to the excitement for the upcoming season.

“Ronald called me for a meeting where he told me he’d like me to take on the captaincy. I was quite taken aback but I’ll absolutely relish the challenge.

“Ronald has already introduced some fresh ideas and expectations that everyone’s very much on board with and excited for. Hopefully spirits stay high and are reflected in our performances as the season gets under way.”

Manager Ronald Ross said: “Ruaridh is a key player in our team. He has all the qualities of a leader. He will challenge the other boys as well as setting the standards and culture that I want us to have throughout the whole squad.”

The build-up to new campaign continues

Kingussie’s training regime is continuing apace ahead of the new season which begins on Saturday, March 7.

Ross said: “I’m taking one of the weekly sessions, working with the boys and Neil Bowman leads for our second session, doing the fitness work and everyone has been training hard.

“At this stage, we’re just looking to mix things up and freshening them up a bit.”

The preseason friendlies continue on Saturday, and Ronald Ross makes his bow as Kingussie manager at home to Inveraray.

New signing Calum McLay could feature after playing in the Liz Young Sixes, the club’s in-house sixes competition, last weekend, whilst Roddy Young is fit again, and James Falconer returns after a year out.

However, the Kings will likely be without a familiar face as Cammy Bremner, a regular since joining from Glenurquhart, has had a change of job.

Ronald Ross added: “Cammy’s work commitments have changed, and he’ll now only be available two weeks out of four.

“That also means he might not get to training every week. We’ll see how that works out and it could be he initially appears more for the second team.

“All-in-all, we have a strong squad and that’s a good problem for me to have. With an 18-game Premiership and three cup competitions, we’ll need them all.”

Just three miles down the road, Newtonmore welcome Lovat whilst Oban Camanachd, another of last year’s title challengers, play newly-promoted Col Glen at Mossfield. Kinlochshiel are at home to Kilmallie and are likely to utilise their former pitch at Kirkton.

GMA test for Skye

Skye Camanachd journey south to Glasgow Mid Argyll who are now managed by Nick Lavin, who replaces Scotland boss Alan MacRae, and he’s assisted by former Lochcarron player Ross Brown.

Skye manager Kenny MacLeod said: “We are travelling without regulars Ryan Harrison, Neil MacVicar and Ruaraidh MacLeod but Ally “Cleody” MacLeod and Angus Hugh MacDonald will be involved, and we’ll still field a strong squad.”

This Islanders will be without Ross MacKinnon, who spent the winter months in Australia with his brother William MacKinnon. However, whilst William has returned home, Ross has extended his stay.

Kenny MacLeod added: “Ross is taking a year out. It’s a blow and there’s no doubt about that but if Ross had come back from Australia in time, we would have had five exceptional players for the three midfield positions.

“That means, as long as everyone stays fit and we don’t suffer any injuries, we’ll still be reasonably well covered for the midfield area.”

[Source: Press and Journal]