The Caber Toss

Tossing the caber is the most recognizable of the highland games. The dimensions of a caber can vary enormously but the norm weighs about 150lbs (68kgs), is 18 feet (5.5m) long and about 9 inches (23cms) thick at one end, tapering to about 5 inches (13cms) at the other.

We use a couple of shorter and lightweight wooden cabers (about 45 and 55 pounds). We also have some smaller cabers for kids and those adults who want to practice throwing out the caber and not their backs.

The caber is held vertically by one end and thrown so that it lands on the 'top' end and then falls forward, away from the thrower. A perfect throw ends with the 'top' end nearest to the thrower and the 'bottom' end pointing exactly away from the thrower.

The Sheaf Toss

This one we pretty much do following regulations. We use a pitch fork to pitch a 16-lb. bale of twine over a crossbar. Each athlete is given three attempts to cross the bar. After all the competitors have cleared the height, the bar is raised. The winner is the competitor who can toss the sheaf to the greatest height.

The Stone Put
(Braemer or Standing Style)

Known in Gaelic as the Clachneart, athletes in this event hurl a 16-lb. stone. No run-up is allowed. The event resembles the modern-day shot put.

We have a regulation 16-lb stone. We'll have three rounds of throws by all competitors. The winner is the one with the single longest throw.