The tradition of Highland Games goes back to the Middle Ages. In the mountainous and inaccessible land in the north of Scotland, the power was held by the chiefs of the clans. As times were turbulent and fights were frequent, the chiefs had to keep their warriors in shape. They called them to assemblies during which they chose the fastest messengers and the greatest powers. It was also an occasion for celebration, so there could be dancing and music. 1)
Caber tossing is a popular Scottish game where people play by tossing a hard log known as a caber (Gaelic for “wooden beam”). The goal, however, is not to throw it as far as possible, but to flip it over vertically so that it lands in the “12 o'clock spot” in relation to the thrower. 2)
This is a team competition consisting of eight members on each team plus a coach. The coach will encourage the team to pull the rope depending on the actions of the opposing team. The coach must remain alert to keep the team fully aware of the intended moves or simply pause while waiting for the right moment to make a move. 3)
The hammer is a ball weighing between 16 and 22 pounds placed at the end of a wooden handle about 4 feet long. The object of the contest is to throw it as far as possible. 4)
The contestant stands under a currant suspended at a height of about 2 meters, grabs a 56-pound weight, and throws it vertically upward trying to throw it over the crossbar so as not to knock it down. If he succeeds, the bar goes even higher. The winner is the one who manages to throw the weight over the crossbar suspended as high as possible. 5)