Ocala Scottish Highland Games

& Celtic Festival

History and Breakdown of Scottish Athletics

In 1057 King Malcolm Ceanmore began his reign, and was credited with initiating crude forms of the Scottish Highland Games' athletic competition that we are see today. He developed them as a means of improving the abilities of his military. Scottish men have tested their strength against each other at Highland gatherings for centuries. By the sixteenth century the games had become festive occasions drawing large crowds of spectators. Even though they had become crowd pleasers they were still utilized for leaders to find the best of the best.

The evolution of the equipment currently used for the Highland Games began with items locally available to the early Scotsman. The woodsmen produced the Gaelic or cader (tree) for their event. While the blacksmith's hammer or mall for driving fence posts was what is now called the 22 pound hammer. Steelyard weights weighing 28 pound and 56 pound were used to throw for height and distance. The agricultural region is likely the origin of the sheaf toss. The clachneart stone was originally derived from a rounded riverbed stone.

In today's Scottish Highland Games athletes combine strength, skill and endurance to compete in these time-honored events. In the spirit of the affable Scot, these competitors combine the attributes of the athlete with the fellowship of clansmen to promote and perpetrate the heart of the Scottish Festival, the Highland Games.

THE CLASSES OF ATHLETES

Professional:

These are the highest level of Scottish Athletes. The Professionals usually receive cash prizes and awards based on finishing place and some have corporate sponsorship. Most professionals compete on invitation only bases.

Amateur:

This is the class you want to try and get into if you are a beginner. The athletes in this class range from first-timers to experienced throwers who are trying to improve enough to compete with the pros. At some games there can be up to three different Amateur classes to divide up Amateurs of different skill levels.

Master:

This class is for throwers of ages 40 and up. The exact range of the age group can vary; usually it is either 40+, 45+, or 50+.

Women:

This one is self-explanatory, sometimes it is also divided up into different skilled classes.

Description of Events

Dave Stone Put

Braemar Stone Put This stone put uses a heavier stone usually between 22 and 28 pounds and it must be put from a standing position. The same throwing area and fouls for the open stone apply.

56lb. Weight for Distance The weight can be either block or spherical shaped with links and a handle. The overall length cannot exceed 18”. The weight is thrown with one hand, in a throwing area of 4’¬6” x 9’. The thrower must keep one foot inside this area and not step over the back line or inside face of the trig or the throw is a foul.

Hammer Throw The hammer has a lead or steel head with a bamboo or rattan handle affixed through a hole in the head. The overall length cannot exceed 50”. The athlete stands behind the trig with his back to the throwing area, winds the hammer around the head and releases over the shoulder. The athlete’s feet must remain in a fixed position until the hammer is released. Boots with blades attached to the front of them are usually worn to keep the feet on the ground and in a fixed position. There are two different weights of hammers used (16lb, 22lb )

Caber Toss

Caber Toss The Caber is a tree that has been cut and trimmed down so one end is slightly wider than the other. It can vary length from 16 to 22 feet and between 100 and 180 pounds. The smaller end is rounded off so it will be easy to cup in the thrower’s hands. The caber is stood up for the thrower with the large end up. The thrower hoists the caber up and cups the small end in his hands. He then takes a short run with the caber and then stops and pulls the caber so that the large end hits the ground and the small end flips over and faces away from the thrower. The caber is scored for accuracy as though the thrower is facing the 12:00 position on a clock face. A judge behind the thrower calls how close to the 12:00 position the small end of the caber lands, 12:00 being a perfect toss. If the caber is not turned, a side judge calls the degrees of the angle the caber makes with the ground. Sometimes a Challenge Caber is also used which is larger than the Games Caber.

Sheaf Toss

Sheaf Toss The sheaf is either a 16lb. or 20lb. burlap or plastic bag stuffed with chopped rope, straw, or mulch. The sheaf is tossed over a cross bar with a pitch fork. Three attempts are allowed at each height . If the thrower misses all three tries at one height, then he is out of the competition.

Weight For Height

Weight for Height The weight for height is the same as used for distance except it is shorter. The weight is tossed over a cross bar with one hand. Three attempts are allowed at each height. If the thrower misses all three tries at one height, then he is out of the competition. There are two different weights of (28lb & 56lb)