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Caithness badminton players bring back nine medals from Scottish Masters


By Alan Hendry

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Some of the far north contingent who won medals at the Scottish Masters.
Some of the far north contingent who won medals at the Scottish Masters.

Nine medals were brought back to Caithness after this year’s Scottish Masters badminton tournament in Glasgow.

There was an impressive haul of four golds and five silvers for the county at the two-day event for veteran players held in the city's Cockburn Centre.

A contingent of more than 20 travelled south to compete. They had to contend with torrential rain on the journey as well as a lack of accommodation in Glasgow due to the COP26 conference, so players were staying as far away as Perth, Fife and Grangemouth.

Mark Mackay achieved a gold medal treble in the +45 age group – in the singles, in the level doubles with Craig Lamb and in the mixed doubles with Carolyn Young.

Jane Grant took gold in the +65 mixed doubles with Alistair Davidson.

Silvers went to John Durrand and Martyn Cook (+35/40, level doubles) and to John in the +40 singles.

Carole Begg (+45) won silver medals in the level doubles, playing with Karen Aitken, and in the mixed, with Eion Ballantine.

Players from the Northern Isles also enjoyed success in Glasgow.

There were golds for Paul Scott (Orkney) in +35 singles, for Gordon Keith and Graham Keith (Shetland) in +60 level doubles and for Moira Nicolson and Elaine Gray (Orkney) in +60 level doubles, while Moira also took silver in the +60 mixed with Dan Travers.

Winners and runners-up in each age group compete for Scotland at various Masters international events.

Jane Grant, who is Badminton Scotland's regional development officer for the Highlands and Islands, said: "It was heartening to see so many badminton players from the Highlands and Islands compete at this national event and come away with so many medals.

"For so many players to make such a commitment to the game in terms of time and cost, and years of play, is inspiring.

"The atmosphere throughout the two-day competition was relaxed and friendly as players and organisers caught up with old friends and made new acquaintances."

Mark Mackay achieved a treble – again – as Caithness players travelled over the Pentland Firth to compete in the Orkney Crystal Championships.

Mackay's hat-trick was particularly notable given that he had also been the singles winner in the first Orkney Crystal tournament 25 years ago.

He paired up with Martyn Cook in the men’s and Shona Mackay in the mixed for the other two titles.

John Durrand teamed up with Paul Scott in the men’s to make the final.

Shona Mackay picked up an injury in the ladies' singles on the Friday but still managed to secure the runner-up spot. She went on to win the level doubles with Carole Begg and the mixed with Mark on the Saturday.


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