This painting depicts a game of shinty, most probably on the Cluny estate near Newtonmore. Sticks (camans) are raised in frenzied action; the presence of pipers, dancers and refreshments implies that the match is a festival game, probably taking place at New Year. The Badenoch and Strathspey Shinty Heritage Project believe the scene almost certainly depicts one of the famous ball-plays organised by Cluny Macpherson, Chief of Clan Chattan. After the match the teams would have been entertained at Cluny Castle, the building bathed in sunlight in the distance. The rocks behind are the crags of Creag Dubh which the artist has moved a couple of miles west. In the background the River Spey winds its way in front of the Castle and Loch Laggan can be seen in the far distance. Shinty became regulated in 1893 when the Camanachd Association was founded and formalised a set of rules for the game.