If this is your first time at a Scottish Festival, then let me be the first to welcome you and give you a tour of the games.
Did you know that these games are second only to the Olympics in age?
These are a test of real strength, and what was handy is what was used , therefore, the unusual type of games that I will now explain.
There are six main events in competition.
The Stone Put
With stones
being plentiful...and free...it is not difficult to understand why Scots
have been tossing stones for as long as there have been Highland gatherings.
The stone is thrown, or "put," with one hand in any fashion, from behind
a wooden "trig", or toe board. A foul is called if the athlete steps
on the trig during or after delivery of the stone. Measurement of
the throw is taken from the center of the trig to the nearest break of
ground. Usually, the stone is a twenty-pounder. Each competitor
is allowed three throws. This is very similar to what we know as
"shot-put".
Weights for Distance
The
weight throw competitions enable the competitor to showcase his strength,
speed and his degree of athletic ability. These three events afford
you the opportunity to watch the athlete coordinate his strength and speed
to produce a truly explosive effort at exactly the right moment.
The weight is a metal ball attached to a ring handle by a short chain,
which cannot be over eighteen inches in length. There are two weights,
28 and 56 pounds (1/4 and 1/2 hundred weight, using the old Scottish measurement).
The weight is thrown for a distance with one hand only. The athlete
is allowed to take a nine foot approach behind the trig and the same foul
rules apply as in the stone throw. Each competitor is allowed three
throws, with the best throw to count.
Weight for Height
The 56 pound weight is also
used in the weight for height event. The competitor uses one hand
only and tries to deliver the weight up and over a crossbar set at a predetermined
distance from the ground. Each thrower is allowed three attempts
at each height. He may begin competition at any height he desires,
but once having started, he must continue; the height cannot be decreased.
The bar is moved up until only one competitor is able to clear the bar.
If the weight touches or dislodges the bar, the throw is ruled a foul.
Another version
of this game is the "Tossing of the Sheaf". A three pronged pitchfork
is used to throw a 16 pound bag of beans (originally a sheaf of hay) over
a cross bar with the highest height winning the event.
Hammers
The throwing of the
hammer was a popular test of strength among young lads working in the blacksmith
shops and stone quarries in the Scottish Highlands. The smithy's
hammers were thrown to prove one's strength and agility. Both hammers
used in competition have spherical metal heads. The 16 pound hammer
is attached to a chain; the 28 pound hammer is connected to a 50 inch hickory
handle. In the Scottish hammer throw, the athlete must take his stance
behind the trig and cannot turn his legs until after the release of the
hammer over his shoulder. Each competitor is allowed three attempts
with each hammer, with the longest throw counting. The same foul
rules and measuring rules as in weight throws apply.
The most spectacular event at any Highland Gathering is the tossing of the Caber. This feat of strength, balance and agility has remained basically unchanged over the centuries, and is referred to in ancient records as "ye casting of ye bar." Many have suggested a practical origin of the caber toss, such as woodsmen attempting to cast a log into or over a stream. In all probability, though, tossing the caber was simply a test of strength to while away free time. A caber is a log, or pole, usually peeled of its bark, measuring between sixteen and twenty feet in length. Weight can vary from 85 pounds to over 200 pounds, depending on the type of tree. Bear in mind, however, it is the length and taper of the caber that provides the greatest challenge to the athletes. It is not an easy task to lift and run with a 100 pound tree trunk balanced in the palms of your hands. Even more difficult is attempting to flip the caber ene-over-end, which is the most demanding task for the best of the competitors.
The distance an athlete throws the caber is of no consequence. It is the straightness of the throw that matters. The athlete attempts to throw the caber so that the heavy end of the pole strikes the ground first, while the momentum of the toss carries the small end over in an arc so that the caber lands in a straight line away from the thrower. The straighter the throw, the more points the competitor receives. Three tosses are allowed for each contestant. If no athlete "turns" the caber, a small slice will be trimmed from the wider end of the pole. Because of the nature of the caber event and because each caber is unique in size and weight, no performance records are possible.
Only those contestants who are able to turn the competition caber (Games caber) are eligible to attempt the Challenge Caber, where the caber used is longer and heavier than the one used in the regular event. The same rules apply.
The Farmer's walk
This is one of the most
brutal and demanding events at the Games. The athlete lifts a 200
lb. weight in each hand and walks as far as possible. Dropping a
weight or letting one touch the ground ends the walk. The contender
covering the greatest distance is the winner. Dan Markovic holds
the world's record in this event with an incredible carry of 428' 8".
Some of our Highland Games have "Tug of Wars" with Clans competing against each other, also.
(Thanks to Michael O'Brien Watt for the discriptions of these games.)
