In their original form many centuries ago, Highland games gatherings centered around athletic and sports competitions. Though other activities were always a part of the festivities, many today still consider that Highand athletics are what the games are all about - in short, that the athletics are the Games, and all the other activities are just entertainment. Regardless, it remains true today that the athletic competitions are at least an integral part of the events and one - the caber toss - has come to almost symbolize the Highland games.
Although quite a range of events can be a part of the Highland athletics competition, a few have become standard.
Caber toss: a long tapered wooden pole or log is stood upright and hoisted by the competitor who balances it vertically holding the smaller end in his hands. Then the competitor attempts to toss it, turning it end over end in such a way that, first, the upper (larger) end will strike the ground (see photo) and then, following that, the smaller end, originally held by the athlete, will follow through and in turn strike the ground in the 12 o'clock position measured relative to the point (considered at the 6 o'clock position) at which the caber was released. If successful, the athlete is said to have turned the caber. Cabers vary greatly in length, weight, taper and balance, all of which affect the degree of difficulty in making a successful toss. Competitors are judged on the accuracy of their throws.
Stone put:
sometimes incorrectly called the Clachneart or "Stone of
Strength", is similar to the modern-day shot put as seen
in the Olympic Games. However, instead of a steel shot, most American
games use a large stone, of variable weight (somewhere between
16 and 28 pounds) while most Scottish games use a steel shot of
appropriate weight. There are also some differences from the Olympic
shot put in allowable techniques. Some games will feature two
stone toss events. The "Braemar Stone" using a 22+ lb
stone allows no run up to the toeboard or "trig" to
deliver the stone, i.e. a standing put. In the "Open Stone"
using a 16-18 lb stone, the thrower is allowed to make a limited
moving approach to deliver the stone. Most athletes use either
the "glide" or the "spin" techniques.
Scottish hammer throw: this event is similar to the hammer throw as seen
in modern-day track and field competitions, though with some differences.
In the Scottish event, a round metal ball weighing 16 or 22 pounds
is attached to the end of a cane shaft about 4 feet in length.
It is whirled about one's head and thrown for distance over either
the right or left shoulder. Hammer throwers usually employ specially
designed footwear with flat blades to dig into the turf to maintain
their balance.
Weight throw, also known as the weight for distance event. Again,
these are actually two separate events, one using a light (28
pound or 2 stone) and the other a heavy (56 pound or 4 stone)
weight. The weights, made of metal, have an attached chain and
handle, and are thrown one handed. The longest throw wins.
Weight over the bar, also known as weight for height. The athletes
attempt to toss a 56 pound (4 stone) weight with an attached handle
over a horizontal bar using only one hand. Each athlete is allowed
three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height
allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater
height. The competition is determined by the highest successful
toss with fewest misses being used to break tie scores.
Sheaf toss:
A bundle of straw (the sheaf) weighing 20 pounds (9 kg) for the
men or 10 pounds (4.5 kg) for the women and wrapped in a burlap
bag is tossed vertically with a pitchfork over a raised bar much
like that used in pole vaulting. The progression and scoring of
this event is similar to the Weight Over The Bar. There is significant
debate among athletes as to whether the sheaf toss is in fact
an authentic Highland event. Some argue it is actually a country
fair event but all agree that it is a great crowd pleaser.
Many of the competitors in Scottish highland atheltics are former
high school and college track and field athletes who find the
Scottish games are a good way to continue their competitive careers.