Hundreds of young people will get a chance to try one of Scotland's oldest sports after a Government grant to the governing body of shinty.

The Camanachd Association has been given £5000 to 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 masterclasses, so that experienced players can benefit as well as those who have never tried shinty before.

The Government said that the cash will allow up to 400 children to try out the sport.

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.

Shinty is believed to have been imported to Scotland by Irish Gaels, with the sport itself thought to be much older still. It is predominantly enjoyed in the Highlands, but clubs exist in Edinburgh, Glasgow and as far afield as North America.