The movie, "Maid of Honor" was released recently in the Movie World.  If you have seen it, or not, there is a section with a Scottish Games competition between the "bridegroom" and the "maid of honor". I thought it would interesting and informative to delve into some of the rules of these unusual games in the sports world.

The Clachneart or "Stone of Strength" is similar to the modern day shot put.  The stone is 16-28 pounds instead of a steel ball.  It must be 'put' on the front of the shoulder with one hand only and thrown after making a seven-and-a-half foot run-up.  The longest of three throws is judged.

The 28 and 56 Pound Throw uses metal weights with a chain or handle attached and are thrown one-handed after a nine-foot run up.  The best of three throws again is judged and the athlete must remain standing after the throw without touching the top of the trig Scotland and the Athlete or the ground in front of it or the throw is "no good".

The 56 pound Weight Toss involves tossing the 56# weight with a handle attached over a horizontal bar of variable height. The height of the bar moves up with each successful throw by the competitors.

The Hammer Throw uses a Scottish hammer, which is a round metal hammer head weighing 16-22 pounds with a cane shaft.  The athlete throws the hammer with his back to the trig and throwing area.

The Sheaf Toss uses a three tined pitchfork to hurl a 16 pound burlap bag stuffed with straw over a horizontal bar. With each successful pitch the bar is raised.

Last but not least is the Caber Toss, which is the centerpiece of the modern Highland Games.  A caber is a tapered log 19 feet long and weighs between 100-130 pounds. The athlete raises up the caber and holds his hands under the end while resting it on his shoulder.   He then runs briefly  and heaves the caber up and over to the ground.  The scoring is based on the face of a clock, with 12:00 being a perfect score. This feat involves strength, balance and timing...to say the least.