Fort William entered a reserve side in the league for season 2009-10 as the first Highland Football League “reserve” side to compete since 1999. Helmsdale based Bunillidh Thistle withdrew whilst Alness United took a year out, new football kits and former members Dingwall Thistle returned to complete a ten-team league. The league has also been home in recent years to the reserve teams of Scottish Football League clubs Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County. The North Caledonian Cup (also previously referred to as the North of Scotland Reserve Cup or PCT North Cup) was the first competition to be contested under the auspices of the North Caledonian FA during the latter part of the 1887-88 season and it remains part of the season calendar today.