How the ‘heavies’ became an integral part of the Highland Games

Bakkafrost Scotland will be the headline sponsor of the Lochcarron Highland Games for the seventh successive year on 19 July and, as usual, the ‘heavies’ events will take a starring role with competitors donning their now traditional Bakkafrost t-shirts.

However, have you ever wondered what the origins of iconic activities like tossing the caber and hammer throwing are?

The first recorded instances of the caber toss date back several centuries, with some believing their origins relate to the Highland timber industry, with workers taking it upon themselves to show off their strength and skill by throwing large logs to clear areas in forests. Some historians also believe the practice was used to help deal with fast-flowing streams and rivers – while others think it most likely had its origins in bets made after long nights of consuming Scotland’s national drink whisky.

The word ‘caber’ comes from the Gaelic word ‘cabar’, which means wooden beam or rafter. The activity soon spread to local gatherings and clan meetings, with informal contests being held. And, as the idea of Highland Games developed, a more structured form of caber tossing started to become a staple of the events.

To this day, the standard weight and length of a caber varies from event to event – but it is usually selected to be large and heavy enough that only the best competitors can flip it over. Assuming any can, the ideal is for the caber to fall away from them in a ‘12 o’clock position’.

Hammer throwing has its origins in both Scotland and Ireland, where warriors would often throw heavy stones or hammers. In the thirteenth century, King Edward I of England made it illegal for Scots to own weapons and, while the hammer wasn’t considered a weapon, clansmen quickly turned it into one.

It is important to note that in modern Scottish Highland Games the ‘hammer’ thrown is normally a heavy metal ball securely attached to a sturdy wooden or cane pole.

Other ‘heavies’ events loved by Highland Games visitors include the stone put, which also dates back centuries and is said to have originated from the everyday task of clearing fields of rocks in the Highlands.

Of course, no Highland Games event would be complete without the tug o’ war – although Scotland can’t claim that as its own. One of the oldest recorded games in history, it was actually an activity being enjoyed in ancient Greece and China as early as 500 BC and, such was its popularity, it was even an Olympic event prior to 1920.

The 45^th edition of the Lochcarron Highland Games – known as the ‘Friendly Games’ – will feature all of the events spectators have come to expect, as well as hill races, highland dancing performances and piping displays.

For more details, visit www.lochcarrongames.org.uk.

Some ‘heavies’ facts and figures:

While the size and weight of cabers varies from event to event, they are typically 16 to 20 feet tall and weigh between 90 and 150 pounds. The aim is to propel the caber into the air, aiming for it to flip and land correctly in the 12 o’clock position
The Scottish hammer throw typically involves a ‘hammer’ weighing around 22 lb (10kg) for men or 16lb (7.3kg) for women. Competitors rotate the ball and its handles around their heads before throwing it as far as they can
The stone put sees athletes compete to throw a stone as far as possible from behind a board. The events are often said to reflect the traditional culture and heritage of the region
The tug o’ war normally involves teams of eight trying to pull their opponents towards them. While it may appear to be a battle of brute strength, the winners are often the ones who work best together as a team and can use strategic thinking to gain an advantage.