Ross County will not be returning to defend Highlands and Islands League title as Scottish Women’s Football launch 2025 season at Urquhart Castle
Ross County Women will not be defending their Highlands and Islands League title this season.
In their debut campaign in senior football, County earned the crown on the final day of the season in a winner-take-all showdown with Buckie, with Reese Flaws scoring the decisive goal.
However, the club were conspicuous by their absence at the official Scottish Women’s Football launch for the 2025 campaign, and they have now confirmed they will not be returning to defend their title this summer.
County hope, though, that is is a case of “see you later” rather than “goodbye forever”, with the intention being to return when the next crop of under-18 players age out of that side and step up to senior football.
The Highlands and Islands League proved to be a good stepping stone for County’s women’s team ahead of entering the SWF pyramid.
The division, which sits in the recreational arm of SWF, was first launched in 2019, when Clachnacuddin lifted the league 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 northern rivals Sutherland and Caithness facing off on the opening day, Sunday, March 30.
League Cup holders Buckie Ladies visit Inverness to take on Clachnacuddin and 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 Scottish Women’s Football’s website.
Scottish Power’s added support for the game’s growth up north is not limited to that competition, though, as they are also taking over as sponsors of the League Cup as well as the league.
The extension was marked with a photoshoot and film at iconic 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.
Commenting, Scottish Women’s Football CEO Aileen Campbell 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 Scottish Power 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 Scottish Power and through mutual support between our clubs.”
Julie Keough, brand director at Scottish Power, 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 incredibly important to us to help level the playing field for clubs, and we recognise the challenges that those out with 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.”