It has been said and recorded, The Highland Gathering dates back to the 11th century during the reign of King Malcolm Canmore when he called the clan together to a gathering to celebrate their traditions and get a census of his people.
Therefore, the Heavy Events you will see this weekend in particular have roots dating back centuries. They were also derived from the ancient tests of military skills. Great pains have been taken to maintain the rough implements and codify the rules used before the Olympics. Some believe the ‘putting of the stone’ event was the forerunner of the Olympic shot-put.
‘Putting the stone,’ was also a popular contest of ancient clan ritual. A chieftain’s ‘stone of strength’ was at the entrance of his castle, and before entry, a clansman was required to test his strength by throwing it a distance. The strongest would be used for a castle’s defense as they would be put on the battlements of the castle to hurl rocks at the attackers. The weight throws (28/56 lb - 2 or 4 stone British weight measurement) reminds us of the mace, resembling a grappling hook once used to scale fortifications.
The Scottish hammer (a 50 in. cane with a 16/22 lb. lead ball) was replaced by the Olympic hammer and may have been derived from a mace, or maybe a simple contest from the village smithies.
The premier of the Heavy Events: the Caber Toss (fallen tree trunk) was used to bridge a river and accuracy was required to get it at right angles to the river banks, has now developed into a competition of the strongest and most technical feats of strength.
We call upon all those young and old interested in knowing more about the rules, folklore, or that seek to gain a greater understanding of Scottish Cultural athletics and to experience the thrill of witnessing historical feats of strength which date back centuries to come to the Gathering this June 19th, 2010.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS