It is difficult to imagine a more fitting recipient of the title adorning this page than Ronald Ross. The 32-year-old could quite easily have been conceived as a central character in any bog-standard tartanry discourse, his locality very much defined and status in that parish without question.

His appearance and demeanour tick every box in the Monarch of the Glen handbook of television production, with even the alliteration of his name hinting at a heroic Highlander. In fact, his astounding achievements carry similar, outlandish qualities.

The name will be familiar to many Scots, while a nagging recall at the back of the mind may even prompt some to summon shinty as the reason. To others, though, Ross is the Ronaldo of the Glens, perhaps the finest player ever to wield a caman. The moniker is one he has carried for several years now, and hence has not been attributed for being a tubby funster struggling to recapture former glories. It is more to do with Ross' staggering ability to locate the net with a smack of his stick.

In season 2002-03, he was at the peak of his powers, scoring 95 times for his all-conquering Kingussie side to breach his previous miserly best of 88. To add a little context, not only is that more than one a game, it is also far in excess of double the tally of his nearest rival. Indeed, such is his efficiency in front of goal, a solitary barren match last season sparked suggestions that his powers were on the wane. Seven goals in his next game ended such silly dissent.

Given that Ross and his Kingussie colleagues have won everything the sport has to offer - losing the league title for the first time in 20 years last season - surely maintaining motivation is difficult? The fable about his perceived profligacy gives a hint.

"Just the other day Andy Murray was saying that he was losing a tennis match and someone in the crowd shouted something which gave him the motivation to go on and win," Ross begins, in drawing one of several parallels with more mainstream sports.

"It's a similar situation with myself and Kingussie as some people have maybe been saying we are past it or over the hill, but that has given all these guys who have won all these medals fresh motivation to prove a point.

"I'm lucky that I don't know what it's like to lose but I suppose there is almost a wee bit of fear about failing because the sport is such a big part of my life."

When not training or playing, Ross is a development officer for the sport and will have you believe little else enters his daily routine, despite his current inactivity due to a broken metatarsal. Once one of Scotland best tennis players at youth level and latterly a coach, he has relinquished that at the alter of shinty. Reward for his ambassadorial role came three years ago when, despite competition from the likes of Lee McConnell and Alison Sheppard, he was awarded the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Sport award.

While reticent to discuss his achievements, persistently using terms such as community and team-mates, Ross is proud of his successes and position in the lives of Highland youngsters. "I'm not really one of those people who likes to attract the limelight," he insists. "Sure, I'm in a position where some people know me, but I just get on with it. It is nice when you go away somewhere and are recognised and the sport needs that if it is to develop.

"I was up in Thurso last week, for example, and there were kids that had taped their sticks in the same way that I do and that makes me realise that I am a bit of a role model. At times I am conscious about how I react to certain situations as people are there to shoot you down, but, without sounding too dull, I'm well behaved both on and off the park."

So no ceremonial slug of the aqua vitae before a game then? "No, no, not any more, anyway," Ross laughs. "There is maybe this perception of shinty as being about the craic and having a drink but nothing could be further from the truth. The sport has become much more professional and we even have a marine training us twice a week as well as our own personal fitness work. In fact, a lot of us are probably just as fit as Premierleague footballers - and get the same injuries."

This foot injury is merely the latest of several niggling problems that have punctuated the past couple of seasons, and Ross admits to questioning how long he can continue being the target of agricultural defenders intent on chopping lumps out of him. "It becomes like a drug to some people, but if I wake up and no longer have the buzz that playing gives me and stop being able to sleep on a Friday night because of it, then I'll know it's time."

When that day comes, Ross knows he will find it difficult, but it will be equally tough for those who worship him. Being a local hero, he confesses, is a nice feeling but does a taste of it not whet the appetite for more? "I am quite ambitious and it can be frustrating at times that there is no next step after achieving all there is to do in the game. You reach a certain level and then are blocked, but I can't complain because shinty has been good to me and I like to think I've been good for shinty."

Ronald Ross: career highlights

  • Ronald Ross is the Highland Shinty Development Officer and is based in Kingussie
  • Won the Marine Harvest player of the year tophy in 2006 at the age of 31
  • Has captained Scotland before
  • In 2005 Ross hit 18 goals in 10 games, more than the total scored by the entire team of Fort William, their nearest title challengers that season.
  • Nicknamed "Ronaldo"
  • Set the all time scoring record at 94 goals in season 2002-3
  • Scored all four goals in Kingussie's 4-2 Camanachd Cup final victory over holders Fort William in 2006