FORT William will begin their assault of the newly-sponsored Breedon Aggregates Highland League Cup with a second round home tie with Formartine United.
Steve “Pele” Paterson will bring his team to Claggan Park on March 17, the same day as Clach face the tricky trip away to Cove Rangers.
If Fort were to knock out Formartine, their reward would be a quarter-final clash away to Huntly or Turriff United.
Nairn County, meanwhile, will begin the defence of with a first round trip to lowly Strathspey Thistle.
Last season’s runners-up, Fraserburgh, have also been handed an away day in round one with a tie at Inverurie Locos.
Moving on to the second round, and the final from two years ago will be replicated at MacKessack Park when current Highland League leaders Forres Mechanics visit Rothes.
Meanwhile, there is a derby at Christie Park between Huntly and Turriff United.
The draw until the quarter-finals is – first round (March 3): Strathspey Thistle v Nairn County, Inverurie Locos v Fraserburgh.
Second round (March 17): Huntly v Turriff United, Fort William v Formartine United, Lossiemouth v Inverurie Locos or Fraserburgh, Cove Rangers v Clach, Keith v Brora Rangers, Buckie Thistle v Strathspey Thistle or Nairn County, Rothes v Forres Mechanics, Deveronvale v Wick Academy.
Quarter-finals (April 7): Rothes or Forres v Keith or Brora Rangers, Cove Rangers or Clach v Lossiemouth or Inverurie or Fraserburgh, Huntly or Turriff United v Fort William or Formartine United, Buckie Thistle or Strathspey or Nairn County v Deveronvale or Wick Academy.
