Callander Highland Games

Download a short video of Callander Highland Games 2008 featuring 'Caber Tossing'

History of the Games.

Callander has been holding its traditional two day Highland Games for 26 years! This years games has attracted the top athletes from all over the world here to test their strength and compete over two days at the traditional heavy events.

Throughout history strength and physical prowess has been much admired in Scotland and people have been drawn to the strong like moths to a flame. There is now a growing interest in strength athletics with a battery of demanding tests of power, strength and muscular endurance. Typical of these are truck pulling, lifting of logs or stones, static holding of heavy objects objects and the carrying of enormous loads. The events to be seen in Scotland Highland Games are largely based on the sporting activities of rural areas in the distance past. A large rounded stone from the river was used for putting, or a clach neart (stone of strength) for lifting. The 28lb and half hundred weights used to weigh potatoes and crops were the original throwing implements at Highland Games, along with the big sledge hammers used to drive in stakes and fences.

Traditional Programme of Highland Games Events see Programme Page

The strong men will test their strength and skill at the Highland Games Heavy Events. This includes Tossing the Caber, Stone Putt, 28lb Weight for distance, 56lbWeight for height and Throwing the Hammer.

Stones of Strength

In days gone by, young men would attempt to lift the 'Clach Cuid Fir' or "Manhood Stone" to a wall at waist height and if successful woul dbe allowed to wear an Eagle's feather in their bonnet. Could this be the origin of the expression "A feather in his cap"? The MacGlashan Stones in particular have become famous the world over and a favourite at our Highland Games. Five smooth, round and heavy boulders have to be carried a short distance and lifted chest high on to large whisky barrels.

Putting the Stone

This very traditional event has long been one of Scotland's favourites. Indeed it became so popluar during the reign of Edward III, that a law was passed to make Stone Putting illegal. This was because arcxhery, so essential for national defence was being neglected!Like the stones used at most Highland Gatherings, the ones used in the Callander Games come from the bed of a Scottish river where the action of the water has gradually worn the stone to the shape and smoothness required for this event.

Throwing the Hammer

Highland Games use the figure of eight swing said to have been introduced by the great Donald Dinnie and he was also the originator of the round head style used today.
The waltzing technique of amateurs is not allowed at Scottish Games.

28lb Weight for distance

Probably the most graceful of the Heavy Events, however, the footwork necessary is very intricate. The technicalities have much in common with discus throwing, although the weights used by our athletes are about 10 times heavier.

56lb Weight for Height

Originally practised in the farm yard, where an object , such as a barrel top, would be suspended from a pulley at the hay loft, or alternatively, from the branch of a tree. Nowadays the athletes throw the half hundred weight
over a bar on stands, as in the pole vault.

Tossing the caber

In traditional caber tossing the athletes do not try to toss the caber further than their opponents. They try to toss it straighter. A "12 o'clock throw" is perfect. At Callander this year you can see this traditional event but also tossing the caber for distance which offers a different challenge to the athletes.

Other Entertainment at this years Games programme page

In addition to the heavy events all traditional Highland Games include a range of activities to include the whole community. Highland dancing (Entry Form) and Pipe Band competitions are the biggest attractions supplemented at our Callander Games by solo piping competitions, massed pipe bands, tug of war, dog shows and a range of stalls, kiosks and fairground attractions. Something for the whole family young or old.

Callander Round Table

The Callander Highland Games are organised by Callander Round Table and form the highlight of our year. With the support of the local community we host one of the best two day traditional games in Scotland and all profits are donated back into local Charities and good causes.

http://www.callander.roundtable.co.uk

CANCELLED FOR 2013