Scottish Highland Games - The Stone Throw

By Dawn Marie Hamilton

This is my last installment for the Scottish Highland Games series. Sorry, I don't have a picture for the stone throw.

Many believe the stone throw originated with the ancient stone of strength or clachneart often found at the gate of a Highland chief's home. Visitors were encouraged to test their strength by throwing the stone.

The stone throw at Scottish Highland Games is like the modern shot put, but uses a round stone—river stones work well—weighing between 16 and 28 pounds. The stone is put from the front of the shoulder, using only one hand. The competitors are allowed a 7' 6" approach to the toeboard or trig. Most athletes glide, twirl, and then throw the stone. If an athlete touches the top of the trig or the ground in front of it, the throw doesn't count. The farthest throw wins.

Other events:
The Caber Toss
The 28-lb. Weight Throw
The 56-lb Weight Throw
The Sheaf Toss
The Hammer Throw

~Dawn Marie

Scottish Highland Games—The Hammer Throw

By Dawn Marie Hamilton





The goal of the hammer throw is distance. A great throw requires a deliberate combination of speed and timing.

The Scottish hammer, derived from a blacksmith's hammer, is a rounded metal hammer weighing 16 to 22 pounds attached to a cane handle.

An athlete stands with his back to the 'trig' and the throwing area. During the throw, his feet are not permitted to move. He may lift his heels while turning, but his toes must remain solidly in place until he completes the throw. Many competitors use spikes on the end of their shoes to anchor them to the ground. When ready, the athlete places the head of the hammer on the ground stretched to the right. He swings the hammer in front of him, and up over his head in a circular motion several times. When he has gained the right amount of speed, he releases the hammer behind him, using the last turn to propel it on its way. Touching the 'trig' or the ground in front of it renders a throw foul.

Each competitor takes three throws, and the throw with the greatest distance wins.

Other events:
The Caber Toss
The 28-lb. Weight Throw
The 56-lb Weight Throw
The Sheaf Toss

Next time, I'll discuss the clachneart, the stone of strength, or the stone throw.

Scottish Highland Games—The Sheaf Toss



The Sheaf Toss

By Dawn Marie Hamilton


The sheaf toss is a games event in which many a farm lad might excel, or not. Tossing hay with a pitchfork onto a pile isn't quite the same as hurling a bag of the stuff into the air over a horizontal bar. A lad must dedicate time to practicing in order to develop the required skill. Not every Highland games runs this event, but I snapped this picture at the Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival in February while on winter vacation.



Given three chances, an athlete uses a three-tined pitchfork to hurl a 16-pound burlap bag stuffed with hay over a crossbar set between two standards. The bar is raised in one or two foot intervals after all competertors have completed their attempts. As the bar rises, the field of competitors is reduced until one athlete remains as the winner.

Other events:
The Caber Toss
The 28-lb Weight Throw
The 56-lb Weight Throw

Stop back, I'll discuss more events in future posts.