Scottish Women’s Football Highlands and Islands League gears up for 2025 season as title sponsors Scottish Power extend support
Scottish Women’s Football and ScottishPower have officially launched the 2025 Highlands and Islands League.
The division, which sits in the recreational arm of SWF, was launched in 2019 when Clachnacuddin lifted the title.
Since then, Inverness Caledonian Thistle Development, Buckie and Ross County have all been crowned champions.
It will not be long before the league roars back into action, with far north rivals Sutherland and Caithness facing off on the opening day, Sunday, March 30.
League Cup holders Buckie Ladies visit Inverness to take on Clachnacuddin, while Nairn St Ninian head to Orkney.
While defending champions Ross County are not returning to the division after stepping into the pyramid, there will be some new faces in the Highlands and Islands League Cup as Shetland join the competition for the first time.
Shetland were one of the four teams to benefit from extra funding through the 2024 ScottishPower funding competition, which helped the club with travel costs. Other recipients included Caithness, who used the funding to purchased video analysis equipment, Buckie Ladies, who were supported to extend women’s toilet facilities, and Brora Rangers, who were provided with kit for their youth pathway.
That funding competition has been extended this year so that six teams can benefit, with details of how to apply available on the SWF website.
ScottishPower’s added support for the game’s growth in the north is not limited to that competition, though, as it is taking over as sponsor of the League Cup as well as the league.
The extension was marked with a photoshoot and film at Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, and is the latest development in the landmark three-year principal partnership deal dedicated to energising women’s football at every age and stage across the country.
SWF chief executive Aileen Campbell officer said: “We’ve seen that women’s football in the Highlands and Islands comes with very specific challenges when it comes to things like travel and sustainability.
“That’s why additional support from our principal partner ScottishPower showcases their commitment to providing support for the women’s game from the grassroots up.
“I am particularly excited to see Shetland join the League Cup this year, building on the momentum they are taking into the Island Games. This kind of development is only possible because of support of partners like ScottishPower and through mutual support between our clubs.”
Julie Keough, brand director at ScottishPower, said: “Our backing of women’s football in Scotland, whether through SWF or SWPL, extends right across the country, and from grassroots all the way to elite.
“We were thrilled to be the first ever sponsor of the Highlands and Islands League last year, and it’s with thanks to everyone across the game for their hard work and dedication that we’re now able to extend our support to the cup too.
“It’s also important to us to help level the playing field for clubs, and we recognise the challenges that those outwith the central belt can face, particularly when it comes to access to funding, equipment and facilities. That’s why I’m delighted to open up our funding competition for a second year to help support those clubs who need it most.
“Together we can energise the game for everyone.”
