Four teams are eligible for promotion to the Highland League. But what are their chances?
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The Highland League used to be the bottom of the pyramid system where relegation was never an issue, until last season.
Fort William became the first team to be relegated from the Highland League and were replaced by North Junior Super League champions Banks O'Dee.
A play-off is supposed to decide whether a club would be relegated from the Highland League, if they lost to the winners of the North Caledonian League, North Super League or Midlands League.
However, Fort William were unable to fight for survival in the Highland League last season.
They could not field a team to play in the play-off and Banks O'Dee gained automatic promotion.
This season, four teams are eligible for promotion to the Highland League as they meet the minimum requirements and hold an SFA licence.
However if no eligible teams win their division, no play-off will take place.
So who are the four teams who are eligible for promotion and what chance do they have of winning their respective leagues?
Fort William
North Caledonian League
Current position 4th
Fort William became the first team to be relegated from the Highland League last season and were unable to play in the play-off final after being unable to raise a team.
They had a difficult start to life in the North Caledonian League when former manager Chris Baffour resigned after two months in charge.
He was replaced by Alan Gray as manager, who has previous experience with Clachnacuddin and former North Caledonian League club Bunillidh Thistle.
Fort William find themselves in fourth place in the North Caledonian League with a good record of eight wins from 12 matches.
They are 14 points behind Loch Ness but do have three matches in hand.
Fort William have scored 10 goals in their last two league matches against Alness United and Thurso.
But against top teams in the division, they have been second best, losing to all of the top three teams, away to St Duthus, as well as at home to Inverness Athletic and leaders Loch Ness.
The damage might already be done to ruin Fort William's chances of an immediate return to the Highland League and building up to next season might be a better option.
(Chances of promotion to Highland League? Slim)
Golspie Sutherland
North Caledonian League
Current position 7th
Traditionally one of the heavyweights of the North Caledonian League, it has been a disappointing campaign for Golspie Sutherland.
The club have won the North Caledonian League 11 times, with Clachnacuddin Reserves only winning more NCL titles with 14.
Their last league title success came in 2021 and they finished in fourth place last season.
Mark McKernie took over as manager from former Wick Academy player Sam Mackay this season.
Golspie are in seventh place in the table and 14 points behind league leaders Loch Ness, but have two games in hand.
They are only four points behind St Duthus in second place and while runners-up spot is well within their reach, are unlikely to bother Loch Ness to challenge for the title this season.
(Chances of promotion to the Highland League? - Slim)
Lochee United
Midlands League
Current position 5th
Lochee United were awarded their SFA licence in May which makes them eligible for promotion to the Highland League should they win their division.
Based in Dundee, Lochee United already have experience of Highland League opposition, when they were thrashed 5–1 at Wick Academy in the Scottish Cup first round in September.
However, their form in the Midlands League has been a lot better, having lost only one match in the division all season.
Having won 12 of their 19 matches so far in the league, they are five points behind league leaders Dundee North End.
But crucially they have three games in hand on the league leaders.
Only six points separate the top seven teams in the division and out of all the teams eligible, Lochee United have the best chance of winning their league and forcing a play-off.
(Chances of promotion to the Highland League? High)
Tayport
Midlands League
Current position 9th
A famous name in junior football, Tayport have won the Scottish Junior Cup three times in 1996, 2003 and 2005.
The club in the small town on the coast of north Fife were granted their SFA licence in May which makes them eligible for promotion to the Highland League.
However, it has not been a successful campaign for Tayport, as they find themselves in ninth place and 15 points behind league leaders Dundee North End.
They have three games in hand on the league leaders, but with a lot of teams above them with better records, it is unlikely they will be in the title mix at the end of the season.
Tayport exited the Scottish Cup at the preliminary round stage this season when they lost 3-1 to East of Scotland League club Dundonald Bluebell.
(Chances of promotion to the Highland League? Slim)
