History
Craig Dunain Rugby Club was founded in 1978 by Dougie Cruickshanks, a Nurse Manager at Craig Dunain Psychiatric Hospital, after which the team was named and from where he drew the majority of his players. The team's first outing was against a Highland Gentleman's side led by Nairn McEwan. Despite an initial defeat, Craig Dunain went on to have a few successful seasons playing in the now defunct Highland District League. After a successful season in 1983 the team disbanded, only to reform in 1987, after players from Inverness College working within Craig Dunain were asked to put together a side for a local 7's tournament. The players were heavily defeated in the tournament but true to the form of their predecessors, were last to leave the bar vowing to re-form Craig Dunain RFC!
As the years passed, the reformed Craig Dunain established themselves in the local league. The leagues were re-organised several times as local sides were drawn into National Leagues. 1993 saw Craig Dunain's most successful season, winning the Highland A League, the newly instituted Highland District League Cup and various 7's tournaments. Craig Dunain were also awarded 'McEwan's Club of the Month' for Scotland for February of that year. This award is no longer made but Craig Dunain were one of only two clubs not within the National League set up to receive the award in its time. The club moved up to the North District League at this time and stayed there for 3 years before returning to the Highland District League.
In the mid 90's the side's name was changed to Inverness Craig Dunain, and although we have now lost our playing base with the closure of the hospital in 2000, it was felt appropriate to keep the name. The team now plays at Bught Park but there is hope that in time we will return to a site near our origin.
Our club's new committee was voted in on Tuesday 26 May 2009 and everyone involved is keen to drive the team forward over the coming months. This season we are competing in Scottish Hydro Caledonia Division 2 North West for the second year running and with a rebuilt club structure, new sponsorship and a pool of nearly 40 players, we are aiming to put a lot more pressure on the other clubs in the league. The competitive season runs from September to February.
As the years passed, the reformed Craig Dunain established themselves in the local league. The leagues were re-organised several times as local sides were drawn into National Leagues. 1993 saw Craig Dunain's most successful season, winning the Highland A League, the newly instituted Highland District League Cup and various 7's tournaments. Craig Dunain were also awarded 'McEwan's Club of the Month' for Scotland for February of that year. This award is no longer made but Craig Dunain were one of only two clubs not within the National League set up to receive the award in its time. The club moved up to the North District League at this time and stayed there for 3 years before returning to the Highland District League.
In the mid 90's the side's name was changed to Inverness Craig Dunain, and although we have now lost our playing base with the closure of the hospital in 2000, it was felt appropriate to keep the name. The team now plays at Bught Park but there is hope that in time we will return to a site near our origin.
Our club's new committee was voted in on Tuesday 26 May 2009 and everyone involved is keen to drive the team forward over the coming months. This season we are competing in Scottish Hydro Caledonia Division 2 North West for the second year running and with a rebuilt club structure, new sponsorship and a pool of nearly 40 players, we are aiming to put a lot more pressure on the other clubs in the league. The competitive season runs from September to February.
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