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HIGHLAND GAMES | TATTOO | CELTIC FESTIVAL | CONTACTS | SISTER CITIES |
DHG Athletics
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HIGHLAND GAMES | TATTOO | CELTIC FESTIVAL | CONTACTS | SISTER CITIES |
DHG Athletics
Heavy Events
History
The earliest date for Scottish Heavy Athletics
is contained in the Irish "Book of Leinster", which was written in the
twelfth century AD. this book describes the Tailteann Games held at Telltown,
County Meath from 1829 BC until at least 554 BC, and in a revived version until
1166 AD. Included in these events were stone throwing, pole vaulting, high
jumping, the geal-ruith (triple jump), the gaelbolga (dart throw) and the Roth-cleas
(throwing a wheel). These games predated the ancient Greek Olympics, which
argues against those who suggest that the games came to Britain through the
Romans. Greek sport did include events such as those mentioned above, but they
appear to be an entirely separate tradition. the Heavy events were carried
to Scotland with Celtic Migrations from Ireland.
The Braemar games are supposedly derived from the contests introduced by King Malcolm Canmore in 1040 AD. These events included a hill race, but it is uncertain whether the heavy events were included. The town of Ceres in the County of Fife held a Games to commemorate Robert the Bruce's victory at Bannockburn in 1314. These Games have been held regularly since. The precursors of the heavy events came to be commonplace at all sorts of rural fairs and gatherings all throughout Britain. Women commonly took part in these early events, a practice which is just now being reestablished in the USA.
The Games in Scotland grew in number and popularity throughout the centuries, but received a mortal blow with the Act of Proscription in 1746 which followed the Rebellion of 1745. This act outlawed Scottish customs, dress, and gatherings. Upon repeal of this Act in 1782, the Games started to revive, and was greatly accelerated in 1822 by the appearance of George IV in Edinburgh in Scottish garb. This event started a fad for all things Scottish, and many of the things regarded as "traditional" at the Scottish Games date from this period, including the vast majority of tartan patterns.
The first Highland Games in the USA occurred when the Highland Society of New York held its 'first sportive meeting' in 1836. The Caledonian Club of San Francisco held its first Games in 1866, and this is the oldest continuously running Games in the USA. By the mid-nineteenth century, track and field was becoming organized in England, and before long, an international event was held in New York between London and New York athletic associations. As track and field became a sport in this country, it took much of the interest away from the Highland games, which went into a decline for nearly a century. Though a number of games were being held, the athletics portion of them dwindled. Conversely, in the Highlands of Scotland, track and field has always remained in the shadow of the Games, which still included running and jumping events that long ago had passed from the American games.
After WWII, there was a revival of Highland games here, but the emphasis was on piping and dancing, with the heavy events being absent, or just a small demonstration. In the 1970's however, the heavy events saw a return towards their former prominence... and in the 1980's continued growth and strengthening with the introduction of many new games, most with a full slate of heavy events. Today there is a full schedule of Games around the entire country, all with heavy events in amateur and professional levels, and some even with women's classes.
A point of interest is that the modern Olympic Games are directly descended from Scottish Highland Games and English Track meets, and not from the ancient Greek traditions. In the years before he founded the modern games, Baron de Couberlin visited "Much Wenlock Olympic Games" in Scotland, and the "Cotswold Olimpick Games" in England. Not only were these festivals already using the Olympic name, the program of events were borrowed from these festivals for the track and field portions of the Athens Olympics, with discus-throwing being the only ancient Greek event revived.
Edited from an article by Charles Black, a veteran of over 90 Games.
The Scottish Heavy Events
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Demonstrated by Christian Schuele and Lenny Dayton This event has long been considered the Premier event of any Highland Games. A caber is a wooden pole which typically ranges from 100 to 150 pounds and is 18 to 22 feet long. The caber is lifted and balanced against the athlete's shoulder. The athlete then runs with it and tosses it end over end. The toss is scored on accuracy, not distance. The athlete attempts to flip the caber completely over so that the end he was holding lands exactly opposite the point he released it. On an imaginary clock face this would be 12 o'clock ("pulling a nooner") and considered a perfect toss.
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THE WEIGHT THROWS FOR DISTANCE
Demonstrated by Kevin Dupries Two weights are thrown for distance, 28 and 56 pounds. The athlete turns with the weight in one hand similar to the discus throw. The event is scored on distance with each athlete getting three attempts to make their best effort. The athletes throw from behind a wooden board known as the" trig". They are not allowed to step on top of or past the trig or the throw will not count.
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Demonstrated by Kevin Dupuis A 56 pound weight similar to the one thrown for distance is used. It is tossed over a bar with one hand. The athlete stands with his back to the bar and usually takes a few preliminary swings to build momentum before exploding upward. The trick is to get the weight, not only high enough, but also to curl over the bar and not come straight down.
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THE STONE PUT
Demonstrated by Rick Benson There are two events involving stones. The first is the open stone which is similar to the modern shot put. Usually, a 17 pound rounded stone is used. The athletes use a glide or spin technique to gain momentum for an explosive release. Footwork and explosive speed are important for the best result. The second event is the Braemar or standing style stone put. Typically a 25 pound stone is used and it is thrown from a standing position from behind the trig. Obviously, this is more of a test of brute strength and technique.
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Demonstrated
by Kevin Dupuis
The
Dunedin Stone Challenge
The heaviest Stone in
the USA at 100 lbs is tossed by volunteer competitors in two rounds. The
farthest throw wins the trophy. |
THE
CABER TOSS 
THE
WEIGHT TOSS FOR HEIGHT
THE
SCOTTISH HAMMER
THE
SHEAF TOSS 
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