High Life Highland drumming tutor Martin Oparka tells us how different ‘sticks’ have shaped his life.
A life in music
People across Inverness and Ross-shire will likely know Martin Oparka for one thing: drumming. A High Life Highland music tutor for more than 20 years, Martin specialises in drum kit tuition, inspiring young people in schools across the region.
Based in Inverness, Martin travels the Highland roads every week, “I really enjoy working with young people and seeing them progress in school and beyond,” he says. “It’s great to share a love of music and see the positive effect it can have on every aspect of life.”
A typical day sees Martin arriving at whichever school he’s timetabled to visit, setting up his kit, checking in with school staff, and then working through a full schedule of pupils. For Martin, the rewards come not just from musical development, but from watching confidence, discipline and creativity grow.
It's great to share a love of music and see the positive effect it can have on every aspect of life.
A childhood game that never went away
But drumming isn’t the only set of sticks that has played a role in Martin’s life. The caman has also proved influential.
Martin’s connection to shinty goes back to his own primary school days at Maryburgh Primary, where he played the game under the guidance of coach Alan Rodger — a big influence at a formative time.
“Unfortunately, I developed a disease in my knees when I was about 10,” Martin explains. “That brought my playing days to an early close.”
For many years, shinty disappeared from his life — until a very familiar reason brought it back. After Martin’s children were born, shinty slowly returned to the picture. “When my son and daughter were old enough, I took them along to Inverness Shinty Club, and as a family, we’ve not looked back since,” he says.
From the sidelines to the coaching pitch
What began as supporting his children soon grew into a much wider involvement. Martin quickly became active in coaching at every youth level and now assists with the club’s under‑17s and senior reserve team.
His passion for development didn’t stop there. With support from High Life Highland, Martin ran a shinty club at Hilton Primary School for nearly a decade, helping it grow into a thriving and well‑established programme. He continues to play a key role in grassroots shinty, including launching a new club at Ness Castle Primary alongside fellow High Life Highland colleague Hazel Wilson.
Taking on a new role: the referee
A man of many talents, Martin recently stepped into a different shinty role altogether – supporting school sport through shinty refereeing. He was invited by PE teacher and Kingussie player Ruaridh Anderson to referee a small‑sided shinty match at Inverness Royal Academy, as part of an SQA evaluation for five pupils.
Life on the water
When he’s not got a stick of some sort in his hand, Martin can be found with a fly rod instead! Fly fishing and the tradition of fly tying are other long‑standing passions, “if I wasn’t tutoring,” he says, “I think I would be a ghillie on a loch somewhere.”
Much of his spare time is spent on his boat on Loch Ruthven, enjoying the calm and focus that comes with time on the water, a balance that mirrors the discipline of music and sport.
From drumsticks to camans, Martin Oparka’s life has been shaped by dedication to craft, tradition, and young people. Whether in a music room or on the shinty pitch, his impact continues to be felt across Highland communities.
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