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In This Section:
Heavy Athletics
These are among the most popular activities at Highland Gatherings and the competitors are widely known and recognised.
In the early days, large ‘boulders’ (referred to as “clach nearit” – “stones of strength” or “clach cuid fir” – “manhood stones”) were used as a means of demonstrating strength. The stone had to be lifted from ground level and placed on top of a “dyke” (wall) about three feet high. They normally weighed one to two hundreds of weight (50 to 100kg).
About the same time in history, stone throwing or stone putting began. These were smaller, weighing 15 to 25lb (7 to 10kg). The ideal stones were found in river beds. Fashioned round like a ball by the action of running water, they were ideal for putting. With the invention of the cannon, cannonballs were thrown instead of stones. The cannonball was called a shot. Hence, throwing them became known as putting the shot.
Over the years, other heavy objects and weights used in the everyday life in the crofts or farms were used in a sporting manner to demonstrate strength and athletic ability. All these events styles and techniques plus the desing and construction of the implements have changed and developed over the centuries.
Hammer throwing was originally done with a sledge hammer but over the years the normal head was replaced by a cannonball. The shaft was made more flexible, plus various styles or techniques were developed and two different events evolved: the 16lb and the 22lb. The Scot’s Hammer is thrown standing style at Highland Gatherings. The International or Wire Hammer is thrown at athletic meetings.
Throwing the 28lb & 56lb weight for distance – they are the standard weights used for weighing farm produce. Both are thrown from within a 9 foot diameter circle, using a similar technique to discuss throwing.
Throwing the 56lb weight for height – this originated from farm hands trying to throw the weight into the hay loft. At gatherings, the weight is thrown over a bar between two uprights, similar to the system set up for pole vaulting.
Tossing the caber (or cabar) is undoubtedly the most spectacular and popular event of the gatherings. It became a sporting event as far back as the 16th century. There is evidence that Henry VIII participated in cabar tossing.
It’s origins are believed to be the crofters, when transporting newly felled tree trunks (cabars) back to their crofts. Fast flowing streams had to be crossed and the cabers were tossed in a manner that they would turn end over with the thick end landing in the middle of the stream. The other end would continue to travel forward and fall on the opposite river bank, where it was dragged ashore. This ancient process is emulated in the sporting event called tossing the caber. With the narrowest end resting on the ground, the heavy end is hoisted vertically. The athlete steps forward and takes charge of the cabar. Resting it lightly against his shoulder and the side of his neck, he bends down ‘til his hands can grasp the bottom. He swiftly stands up, takes a short fast sprint, followed by an almighty heave which sends the cabar flying through the air. It starts to turn end over and when the thickest end strikes the ground, the narrow end must continue the turning motion ‘til it falls pointing away from the competitor. Imagine a clock face on the ground. The athlete is at 6 o’clock. The cabar’s thick end lands at the centre and the cabar acts as one of the clock’s hands. The best ‘toss’ is the one where the cabar points nearest to 12 o’clock. Competition cabars are normally 17 to 20 feet long and weigh 100 to 175lb.
Hence, from humble beginnings, Scotland gave the world of modern day athletics two field events: shot putting and hammer throwing.