A cash grant will allow hundreds of youngsters to try out one of Scotland's oldest sports.
The Scottish Government is providing £5,000, allowing up to 400 children to have a shot at shinty.
The Camanachd Association, the world governing body for shinty, will run a special project during the October school break aimed at boosting awareness of the sport.
The money will pay for up to 12 "come and try" sessions, aimed at 10 to 14-year-olds, in the Highlands, Argyll and Bute, Western Isles, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
There will be at least five master classes, so that experienced players can benefit as well as those who have never tried shinty before.
Sport minister Shona Robison said: "This grant will help ensure that shinty continues to grow in communities across Scotland.
"Although the popularity of shinty is growing, I would like to see as many young people as possible get involved and have a go at one of our oldest sports."
Torquil MacLeod, of the Camanachd Association, said: "We are delighted with the support we are receiving from the Scottish Government and see this as an important initiative for shinty which will facilitate links between local clubs and schools, to engage larger numbers of young participants in a sustainable pathway for the ongoing development of the sport."
He added that the grant would allow them to pilot the initiative this year, with the aim of developing it further in 2013 and beyond on a self-sustaining basis.
