17/05/2026
For years there’s been a perception that handmade camans are “expensive”.
So we thought it was important to show exactly where the money actually goes when a traditional shinty stick is made here in the Highlands.
This isn’t mass production.
Every caman is shaped, balanced, finished and tested by hand using traditional methods, specialist machinery and carefully selected timber.
By the time a caman reaches a player, the cost is spread across:
• VAT paid directly to HMRC
• Timber, tape, adhesives, finishes, saw blades and workshop consumables.
• Workshop overheads including machinery, tooling, heating, electricity, insurance and maintenance
• Skilled labour, wages, packaging, admin and replacing tools and stock
• A very small remaining margin to keep the workshop operating and investing in the future of the craft
The reality is that traditional caman making is a highly skilled Highland craft with significant hidden costs behind the scenes. Much of what players pay supports craftsmanship, jobs, materials and keeping the tradition alive, not large profits.
We wanted this breakdown to be honest, transparent and informative for the wider shinty community.
It’s also worth noting that our junior and kids camans are deliberately priced as fairly as possible to help keep young players involved in the sport.
The reality is that many youth camans generate very little margin once materials, labour and workshop costs are accounted for, but supporting the next generation of players has always mattered to us.
Keeping shinty accessible for families and helping grow the game remains an important part of what we do.
Every handmade caman represents:
🏴 Highland craftsmanship
🪵 Traditional materials and methods
⚒️ Skilled workshop labour
🏑 A piece of living shinty heritage
Thank you to everyone who continues to support handmade camans and independent craft production in Scotland.
