Number
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Rules
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Highland Games Rules
The
Clachneart or "Stone of Strength"
This ancient event is similar to the modern day shot-put, using a stone
approximately 16 to 28 pounds instead of a steel ball. The stone must
be 'put' from the front of the shoulder using one hand only. Each
competitor is allowed a seven-and-a-half foot run-up to the toe-board
or trig. The contestants are judged on the longest of the three tosses.
If the athlete touches the top of the trig or the ground in front of it
during his attempt, the toss is not counted.
The
28 and 56 pound throw
Using metal weights with a chain or handle attached, the athletes
are throwing for distance. The weight is thrown one-handed from behind
the trig with a nine-foot run up allowed. Any style may be used, but
the most popular and efficient is to spin like a discus thrower. The
contestants are judged on the longest of the three tosses. The athlete
must remain standing after throwing the weight. If the athlete touches
the top of the trig or the ground in front of it during his attempt,
the throw is not counted.
The
56 pound Weight Toss
The objective of this strength event is to toss the 56# weight with
an attached handle over a horizontal bar of variable height. The
starting height of competition is the lowest agreed upon by the
competitors. Once a competitor starts to throw, he must compete each
time the bar is raised. Using only one hand, each athlete is allowed
three attmepts to clear the bar at each height. If the weight touches
the bar on its way over but doesn't dislodge it, it remains a
successful toss. All measurements are made from the ground to the top
of the bar mudway between the the uprights. As the bar is raised, the
field of athletes is reduced. This event continues until all
competitors but one are eliminated.
The
Hammer Throw
The Scottish hammer, a round metal hammer head weighing 16 or 22 pounds
with a cane shaft, is thrown for distance. The athlete throws the
hammer with his back to the trig and the throwing area. The
competitor's feet may not move until after he releases the hammer. Each
athlete gets three throws with the hammer and is judged by his best
distance. Touching the top of the trig or the ground in front of it
renders the throw a foul.
The
Sheaf Toss
Using a three-tined pitchfork, the athletes hurl a 16pound burlap
bag stuffed with straw over a horizontal bar raised between two
standards. Each competitor is given three opportunities to clear the
bar. After all attempts, the bar is raised in one to two foot
increments. The continually rising bar reduces the field as competition
continues until all but one athlete are eliminated.
The
Caber Toss
The centerpiece of the modern Highland Games, the caber requires
strength, balance and timing. The caber is a tapered log approximately
19 feet long and weighing 100 to 130 pounds (These weights and
measurements vary at different games depending on the field of athletes
and the terrain). The athlete hoists the caber and folds his hands
under the end while cradling it against his shoulder. Gaining the
balance of the upright caber, he will run briefly with it to gain
momentum for the toss. Followed by field judges, the competitor heaves
the caber up and over to ground its heavy end and let it fall forward.
The field judge will ascribe a 'score' to the toss. If the caber is
'turned' it will be scored with its final position relative to the face
of a giant clock, 12:00 being a perfect score. If the caber is grounded
but doesn't turn, it is scored by the degree it rose from the ground.
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