Pole used in highland games

The sport is believed to have originated from friendly lumberjacks challenges to toss logs across narrow creeks in order to cross them.

The poles used for the sport are made from larch trees and are typically 19ft 6in long and weighing about lbs. The primary objective of the sport is to toss the caber in such a manner that it turns end-over-end and falls away from the tosser.

The distance thrown does not carry any significance. The throw is rather evaluated based on how the caber lands. The tug o'war is one of the most fiercely contested competitions at the Highland Games. This involves eight men pulling against another team of eight, coached by an additional member of the team who shouts encouragement and instructions to spur them on to pull their opposite number across the line.

Well worth a watch at any Highland Games. Find out more about participating in a Highland games on visitscotland. Highland Games Traditions Highland Games are as iconically Scottish as bagpipes, kilts and whisky — all of which feature heavily at any gathering. We take a look at some of the traditions and typical features of any Highland games: Tossing the caber The caber toss has come to almost symbolise the Highland games and no gathering anywhere in the world would be complete without it.

Watch this video for a how-to guide:. Hammer throw The hammer throwing event features a hammer made from a metal ball weighing around 22 lb for men or 16 lb for women, attached to a wooden pole or handle. Shot put The shot put is a favourite at all good Highland Games.

Want to learn how to shot put? Watch this video:. Weight for height Sometimes referred to as 'weight over the bar', this game requires competitors to throw a weight over a raised bar. Want to see how it's done. View the video below:. Much like the Olympics in Ancient Greece, the Highland Games are an opportunity to demonstrate your skill and strength in competitive athletics. Not sure what the Highland Games are? The rest of this guide will have you an expert in all things athletics in plenty of time for your trip to Scotland!

They were invented by warriors who, when not in battle, needed a way of training, staying fit and boosting morale. They would compete between themselves using everyday objects and implements to keep themselves strong. A Caber is long tapered wooden pole used and is usually made from a Larch tree. Cabers can be up to 20 feet in length and weight lb kg. This event started as a strength competition among woodmen to see who could turn the biggest tree over.

They would start with trying to throw a large tree that was gradually shortened until someone tossed it successfully. Today the Caber Toss is a highly competitive event at the Highland Games and the main objective is to toss the caber in the straightest possible line away from the thrower.

Distance is unimportant. The competitor who tosses the caber in the straightest line that is closest to 12 o'clock receives the highest score and is declared the winner. The competitor must pick up the caber and balance it upright against the shoulder and neck with the tapered end downwards. However, getting to this point is the difficult part. Aided by other competitors or stewards the caber is walked upright, then the competitor crouches down, sliding their hands down to the base of the caber, they then lift from underneath the bottom to raise the caber.

The competitor then runs forward a few paces with the caber to gain momentum and thrusts upwards to flip the caber so that the larger end rotates and strikes the ground first. The Hammer is a round metal ball attached to a shaft made from wood, bamboo or plastic. The metal ball weighs between lb kg for men and lb kg for women. With their feet firmly fixed in a position, the competitor rotates the hammer around the head and then releases the hammer over the shoulder.

Competitors are allowed to wear special footwear to help fix their feet in position and help to balance and generate power and distance. The competitor who throws the hammer the furthest distance is the winner. Stone put events are very similar to the modern day shot put events although real stone is often used instead of a steel ball. The weight of the stone will range from lb kg for men and lb kg for women.

There are two type of stone put events, Braemar Stone and Open Stone, and each has their own allowable technique for throwing the stone. In the Open Stone version of the stone put event, athletes are allowed to use any style as long as the stone is thrown with one hand and rests on the neck until release. The weight of the stone for this version of the event is 16—22 lb kg for men and 8—12 lb kg for women. The Braemar Stone version is a standing put, so no spins or run up to the toeboard are allowed.

Weights for the Braemar Stone event are typically 20—26 lb 9- 12 kg stone for men and 13—18 lb kg for women. A sheaf is a bundle of straw wrapped up in a burlap bag.