World Caber Championships

We are delighted that this year Inveraray is again hosting the World Caber Championships, kindly sponsored by the George Hotel, Inveraray. This is a highly prestigious event in the Games calendar and attracts the highest calibre of athletes from all over the world – as far afield as Australia, USA, Canada, etc – not forgetting our own home grown talent.

The winner is presented with the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association Medal. It is a true test of skill and physical prowess as the caber at the World Championships is one of the biggest, if not the biggest on the circuit, measuring over 20 feet and weighing in at over 140lbs.

The caber is scored for accuracy as though the thrower is facing the 12:00 position on a clock face. A judge behind the thrower calls how close to the 12:00 position the small end of the caber lands, 12:00 being a perfect toss.

Putting the Shot or Stone

By tradition a smooth, round stone from the riverbed is used, weighing approx. 16lbs.

The stone, and now also a cast ball or shot, is putted from behind a straight stick 4’6’’ long and 6’ high called a trig. The throw is measured from the centre of the trig to the first mark made by the stone. The stone being used today is from the River Aray.

Weight for Distance

The weight is a ball and chain with a handle on the end weighing 28lbs or 56lbs. Nine feet is allowed for stepping back. The thrower stands facing the trig, swings the weight to the side and then round behind him. On the third pivot the thrower heaves the weight round and throws it as far as he can.

Hammer Throwing

The Scots Hammer had a wooden shaft and developed from throwing the blacksmith’s hammer or farm mallet. Today’s hammer with its round head and whippy shaft was developed because the standard hammer broke so easily. Today the shaft of the hammer is made from Molakin cane. The thrower stands with his back to the trig and digs in with the aid of two 6’’ spikes which protrude from the front of his boots. The shaft is grasped firmly with hands made sticky with resin. He then swings the hammer round his head 3-4 times and lets go.

Weight over the Bar

This weighs 56lbs and is thrown over a bar. Three attempts are allowed at each height and failure to clear leads to elimination. The competitor stands underneath the bar, picks up the weight with one hand, swings it between his legs and then heaves it up and over the bar – hoping the weight misses him on the way down!