HEAVY EVENTS

Heavy Events

In early centuries in times of peace, Clan wanted to maintain the physical fitness of the clan members in case of war. Clan Chieftains would organize Highland Games to test the physical fitness of their Clan by challenging other Clans in friendly competition. They competed in weight putting by using boulders, running, jumping, Highland dance and wrestling.

That tradition is the basis of today’s Scottish Festival and Games. Scottish Festivals continue have events such as caber toss, stone put, weight for distance, hammer throw, sheaf toss and weight for height. Both males and females compete in these events.

CABER TOSS

Dimensions -17-21 feet and 70-160 pounds

This event is a very popular event at Scottish Festivals. The caber is a wooden log that must be lifted and tossed. Usually, the log is tapered with one end narrower than the other.

The thrower picks up the caber, runs forward and attempts to throw it end over end. Competitors are judged on how closely their throws can land in a perfect 12 o’clock position.

STONE PUT

Stone Weights – Men 16-22 lb., Women 8-12 lb.

Open Stone

The stone must be put (thrown)with one hand with the stone against the neck. The stone must be cradled against the neck until it is released.

Braemar Stone

Stone Weights – Men 20-26 lb., Women 13-18 lb.

Same as the Open Stone, except the stone is heavier and the competitors must throw from a standing position.

WEIGHT FOR DISTANCE

Weights – Men 56 lb., Women 28 lb., Masters/Novice 42 lb.

A metal weight is thrown with one hand from a throwing area. The longest throw wins. The weight can be of various shapes and sizes. A handle can either be attached directly to the weight or attached with a length of chain. The athletes must keep their feet in bounds. A spinning technique is often used to help propel the weight.

Light Weight For Distance

Weights – Men 28 lb., Women 14 lb.

Same as the Heavy Weight for Distance, just lighter.

HAMMER THROW

Men 22 lb., Women 16 lb.

Heavy Hammer

The Hammer Throw is an event in which the participant throws a weighted ball attached to a grip by a steel wire. The competitors must throw the hammer with their feet in a fixed position. Competitors throw hammers with their back to the field. The hammer is whirled around the athlete’s head and thrown over the shoulder using both hands. The longest distance wins the competition.

Light Hammer –

Light Hammer Weights – Men 16 lb., Women 12 lb.

Same as the Heavy Hammer, just lighter.

SHEAF TOSS

Pros 20 lb., & Amateur 16 or 20 lb., Masters 16 lb., Women 12 lb.

A pitchfork is used to hurl a burlap bag of hay over a bar. Each competitor is given three chances to throw the bag over the bar without touching the bar. If the athlete clears the height, it allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a higher height. The highest toss with the fewest misses wins.

WEIGHT FOR HEIGHT

 Weight for Height or Weight Over Bar

Master’s weight is 42 lbs and women 28 lbs.

Weight Over Bar is also known as weight for height. The goal is to toss a weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using one hand. Three attempts are allowed at each height. Clearance of the bar allows an athlete a chance at the next level and advances to the next round at a greater height. The highest successful toss with fewest misses wins.