The Events

Highland Festivals are the modern continuation of an ancient Celtic tradition. One popular aspect of any Highland Festival is the athletic competition. Each event tests the athletes strength and skill. It may seem that the sport requires brute strength alone, but developing good technique is essential to succeeding in the games.

THE CABER TOSS
A caber is a wooden pole which typically ranges from 100 to 150 pounds and is 18 to 22 feet long. The caber is lifted and balanced against the athlete's shoulder. The athlete then runs with it and tosses it end over end. The toss is scored on accuracy, not distance. The athlete attempts to flip the caber completely over so that the end he was holding lands exactly opposite the point he released it. On an imaginary clock face this would be 12 o'clock and considered a perfect toss.

THE WEIGHT THROWS FOR DISTANCE
Two weights are thrown for distance, 28 and 56 pounds. The athlete turns with the weight in one hand similar to the discus throw. The event is scored on distance with each athlete getting three attempts to make their best effort. The athletes throw from behind a wooden board known as the"trig". They are not allowed to step on top of or past the trig or the throw will not count.

THE WEIGHT TOSS FOR HEIGHT
A 56 pound weight similar to the one thrown for distance is used. It is tossed over a bar with one hand. The athlete stands with his back to the bar and usually takes a few preliminary swings to build momentum before exploding upward. The trick is to get the weight, not only high enough, but also to curl over the bar and not come straight down.

THE STONE PUT
There are two events involving stones. The first is the open stone which is similar to the modern shot put. Usually, a 17 pound rounded stone is used. The athletes use a glide or spin technique to gain momentum for an explosive release. Footwork and explosive speed are important for the best result. The second event is the Braemar or standing style stone put. Typically a 25 pound stone is used and it is thrown from a standing position from behind the trig. Obviously, this is more of a test of brute strength and technique.

THE SCOTTISH HAMMER
The Scottish hammer is quite different from the Olympic wire hammer. The Scottish hammer head is a round metal ball attached to a rattan cane handle. Two different weights are thrown; sixteen and twenty-two pounds. The athletes wear blades on the front of their throwing boots and dig them into the ground to have a firm foundation for the effort. With their back facing the direction of the throw, the athlete whirls the hammer around his head, building momentum and then releasing.

THE SHEAF TOSS
The sheaf is a 16lb. or 20lb. burlap or plastic bag stuffed with either chopped rope, straw, or mulch. The sheaf is tossed over a cross bar with a pitch fork. Three attempts are allowed at each height. If the thrower misses all three tries at one height, the he is out of the competition.