KEY POINT
- Prince William and Kate Middleton visited Scotland’s Isle of Bute on Sept. 17 for their first visit to the island.
- Kate nearly struck a spectator while taking part in a shinty penalty shootout at Bute Shinty Club.
- The couple also visited Ettrick Bay and the Anchor Tavern Pub & Hub during their day on Bute.
The Princess of Wales and the Prince of Wales began their Isle of Bute visit at the local shinty club, where they tried the traditional Gaelic sport for themselves. In Scotland, the couple are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay.
Shinty is played with a curved wooden stick and a ball, giving the activity a hockey-like appearance. William and Kate both played hockey while studying at the University of St. Andrews, but William said they had previously watched shinty rather than played it.
Kate’s introduction to the sport produced an unexpected moment. During a penalty shootout, she needed a few attempts to become comfortable with her swing before her third shot sent the ball past the goal and close to Andy McAlindon, who was standing nearby in a kilt.
According to The Telegraph, Kate later joked to McAlindon that she had been concerned she might “take someone’s teeth out.” McAlindon said she narrowly missed him and apologized after the shot.
The visit also gave Kate an opportunity to discuss the community role of sport. She said it was good for people of different ages to come together, while William described shinty as a sport that “looks a bit bruising.”
The royal couple continued their itinerary at Ettrick Bay, meeting members of Beachwater Bute, a charity involved in monitoring and removing litter from the island’s shores. They also took a tractor ride along the beach before visiting the Anchor Tavern Pub & Hub.
Kate additionally spoke about activities she had yet to experience on Bute. In an Instagram Reel reported by Marie Claire, she mentioned wanting to go swimming and explore live music on the island.Her clothing also drew attention during the visit.
What Kate Wore identified her outfit as including a new brown Burberry trench coat, an olive green sweater and Holland Cooper Jodhpur jeans, along with a Maison Hotel belt and brown suede ankle boots.
The trip highlighted both the sporting and community activities available on the island, while giving William and Kate a chance to explore a part of Scotland they had not previously visited together.
McAlindon described Kate’s near miss as a great shot and confirmed that she apologized after the ball passed close to him. William and Kate also spoke positively about trying shinty and its role in bringing the local community together.
During the visit, Kate said she still had several activities on her Scotland bucket list, including swimming and experiencing live music on the Isle of Bute.
