Payson Scottish Festival

The Scottish Games originated many centuries ago and while we have records of athletic competitions in the Highlands that go back to the 11th century, many people are sure that the events go back to at least Roman times.

These athletic competitions were a way for men to prove their worth and show their speed, strength, and agility. The events were developed to help train and prepare for war as well as to depict some of the everyday activities the men would have been involved in.

Stone Puts

In this event the athlete throws a large stone and the winner is determined by the greatest distance thrown. The stone weighs between 16 and 22 pounds. This event is similar to the track and field shot put event and the athlete must remain behind a line while throwing the stone.

Weight for Distance

This event is similar to the Stone Put. The athlete attempts to throw a weight which is attached to a ring by chain the greatest distance. The Light Weight is 28 pounds and the Heavy Weight is 56 pounds

Hammer

In this event the athlete attempts to throw a hammer the greatest distance. The hammer is swung around two or three times before the athlete releases it. The athlete's feet must be kept in a fixed position until the hammer is released.

Caber Toss

The caber toss is probably the most well know and unique event of the Highland Games. The caber is a tree trunk that is typically between 16 and 22 feet long and weighs between 100 and 180 pounds. The athlete lifts up the caber with the help of an assistant and holds it by the small end. He then runs a short distance and throws the caber. The caber must flip over with the small end pointing in the direction that the athlete was running. Imagine that the athlete is standing on a large analog clock when he throws the caber. The toss is scored based on how close to a 12 o'clock position the small end of the caber lands.

Weight for Height

The athlete throws a weight like the one used for the distance throw but shorter, over a cross bar with one hand. The athlete is given three attempts to throw the weight over the bar or be eliminated. The height of the cross bar is raised higher and higher until no one is able to complete the throw.

Sheaf Toss

The Sheaf Toss is similar to the Weight for Height. The athlete attempt to throw the sheaf over the cross bar with a pitch fork. Three attempts may be made at each height or the athlete will be eliminated. The sheaf is a burlap bag weighing 16 or 20 pounds and is filled with either chopped rope, straw, or mulch.