Celebration of Celts
Heavy Athletics
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It is generally accepted that Scottish Heavy events can be traced back to the 11th century, during the reign of King Malcome Canmore. Highland Chieftains held competitions to select the strongest men of the clan, as bodyguards, and the fleetest of foot for messengers. These events were to continue virtually unchanged until the Battle of Culloden in 1746. This battle brought a sudden and cruel ending to not only Bonnie Prince Charlie’s wish to have Scotland become an independent nation, but it was to halt all and any clan gatherings.
The Caber Toss
The Caber Toss may have evolved as a way that woodsmen used to cast a log into or over a stream. In ancient records is called, “casting of ye bar”. The Caber is a log, usually peeled of its bark measuring between sixteen and twenty feet long. It can weigh anywhere from eighty-five pounds to 200 pounds, depending on the type of tree. Bear in mind, though it is the length and the taper of the caber that provides the greatest challenge to the Athletes. It is no easy task to lift and run with a tree trunk weighing over 100 pounds balanced in the palms of your hands. Then you have to flip it end over end and have it land perfectly at noon high.
The distance an athlete throws the caber is of no importance, rather it is the straightness of the throw that matters. The athlete attempts to throw the caber so that the heavy end of the poll strikes the ground first, while the momentum of the toss carries the small end over in an arch and lands in a straight line away from the thrower. The straighter the throw, the more points the competitor receives. Each competitor is given three tries. If no competitor turns the caber a small trimming may be taken off the wider end of the caber. Only those athlete who are able to turn the competition caber, games caber, are eligible to attempt the challenge caber, which is never cut.
The Stone Put
With stones being plentiful and free, it’s not difficult to understand why Scots have been tossing stones for as long as there have been people to hit and as long as there have been Highland games. Scot’s no longer try to hit people on purpose. That was saved for warring clans and the British. From behind a wooden trig or toe board, the stone is thrown or put, in any fashion with one hand. A foul is called if the athlete steps on the trig during or after throwing the stone. Measurement of the throw is taken from the center of the trig to the nearest break of the ground.
Hammer Throw
The throwing of the hammer was a popular test of strength among the young lads working in blacksmith shops and stone quarries in the Scottish Highlands.
The smithy’s hammers were thrown to prove one’s strength and agility. The hammers used today in competition have a round 16 pound metal head, attached to a handle, fifty inches long overall. In the Scottish hammer throw, the competitor must take his stance behind the trig and cannot turn his legs until after release of the hammer, with the longest throw counting. The same foul rules apply as in weight throws.
