What We Do

Scottish heavy athletics owe their roots to the Highland warriors who would keep in shape between battles by competing amongst themselves with everyday implements. A stone, a blacksmith’s hammer, a tree trunk (caber) became tools for building strength for battle.

 

Our Events

Michigan Highlander’s games always consist of at least 6 of the traditional 9 events.

  • Braemar - A stone typically 12-14 lbs for women and 18-24 lbs for men is put from a standing position. Competitors are not allowed an approach step in this event. The best of three attempts is your score.

    Open Stone - Resembling the more traditional shot put, often using a spin or glide technique, athletes put a stone typically weighing about 8-10 lbs for women and 16-20 lbs for men.

  • Using one hand on the weight competitors throw a heavyweight and a lightweight as far as they can. Most often a one or two rotation technique is used to maximize distance. The best of three attempts is your mark.

    Men’ Weights

    Pro/Open/Amateur - 56 lbs Heavyweight, 28 lbs lightweight

    Masters/Lightweight - 42 lbs Heavyweight, 28 lbs lightweight

    Women’s Weights

    Pro/Open/Amateur - 28 lbs Heavyweight, 14 lbs lightweight

    Masters/Lightweight - 21 lbs Heavyweight, 14 lbs lightweight

  • The heavy hammer weighs 16 lbs for women and 22 lbs for men and is thrown with your back to the trig and throwing field. Competitors are allowed as many rotations as needed but most often you’ll see three. Three throws for these events as well.

    The light hammer is thrown with the same technique and weighs 12 lbs for women and 16 lbs for men.

  • A 28lb/56lb (women/men) weight is thrown up and over a bar. This bar may be fixed or knock-off style (think high jump bar). Competitors are given up to three attempts per height before the bar raises to the next height, typically in 1 ft. increments.

    Weights may differ for lightweight or masters athletes.

  • The caber is a long section of tree trunk with a noticeable taper at one end. The caber weights and lengths vary by class and competition, but will always be appropriate for the skill of each class. The competitor holds the small end and balances the pole in the air vertically. They then run forward and allows the high end to fall forward. At the right moment they flip the small end up. They goal is to propel the caber end-over-end so that the small end is pointed directly away from the contestant (12 o’clock, imagining them to be at 6 o’clock). Each competitor gets three tries with the best result being recorded. If no-one makes a perfect toss, closest to 12 o’clock wins.