Witness Raw Power: Caber Toss · Hammer Throw · Stone Put · Weight Over Bar
"Just in case being Scottish and wearing a kilt isn't enough, I'll just throw this 20ft tree..!"
Athletes Expected
Competing from across the nation
Competition Classes
Including Adaptive Athletes class
NEW Events for 2026
Wrestling & Atlas Stones
Step into the exhilarating world of Highland Games Heavy Athletics, where raw strength meets rich heritage in a celebration unlike any other sport.
One of the Top 5 Highland Athletics Events in the World
Our games have earned a global reputation for excellence, attracting top athletes from around the world.
Watch jaw-dropping feats of strength as athletes compete in traditional Scottish heavy events that test the limits of human power.
Join a passionate community of athletes, spectators, and Scottish culture enthusiasts celebrating this ancient tradition together.
Top-ranked athletes from across North America and beyond compete for championship titles.
Competitions run throughout the festival with multiple weight classes and skill divisions.
Get close to the action with excellent viewing areas around the athletic field.
Caber toss, hammer throw, weight for distance, sheaf toss, and more authentic Scottish events.
Learn about each event from knowledgeable announcers who explain the techniques and scoring.
Many athletes are happy to chat with spectators between events and share their passion for the sport.
From cabers to cocktails, from ancient traditions to modern spectacle, Scotfest Highland Athletics delivers an unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe!
Each competition consists of nine events testing strength, technique, and raw power
The Caber is a tree that's been cut and trimmed down so one end is slightly wider than the other. The smaller end is rounded off so it will be easy to cup in the thrower's hands. The caber is stood up for the thrower with the large end up. The thrower hoists the caber up and cups the small end in his hands. He then takes a short run with the caber and then stops and pulls the caber. The large end hits the ground and the small end flips over and faces away from the thrower.
Length: 16-22 feet
Weight: 100-180 lbs
Scoring: 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. If the caber is not turned, a side judge calls the degrees of the angle the caber hits the ground.
This event is similar to the modern-day shot put as seen in the Olympic games. Instead of a steel shot, a large stone of variable weight is often used. The "Braemar Stone" uses a 20–26 lb stone for men (13–18 lb. for women) and does not allow any run up to the toeboard or "trig" to deliver the stone, i.e., it is a standing put.
Weight: 20-26 lbs (men), 13-18 lbs (women)
Technique: Standing throw only - no run up allowed
Scoring: Distance
The "Open Stone" uses a 16–22 lb. stone for men (or 8–12 lb. for women). The thrower is allowed to use any throwing style so long as the stone is put with one hand. With the stone resting cradled in the neck until the moment of release.
Weight: 16-22 lbs (men), 8-12 lbs (women)
Technique: Any style allowed with one hand
Scoring: Distance
Similar to the hammer throw as seen in modern-day track and field competitions, with differences. In the Scottish event, a round metal ball (weighing 16 lb. for men or 12 lb. for women) is attached to the end of a shaft about 4 feet in length and made out of wood, bamboo, rattan, or plastic. With feet in a fixed position, the hammer is whirled about one's head and thrown for distance. Hammer throwers sometimes employ specially designed footwear with flat blades to dig into the turf, helping to maintain their balance and resist the centrifugal forces of the implement as it is whirled about the head.
Weight: 16 lbs (men), 12 lbs (women)
Shaft: ~4 feet (wood, bamboo, rattan, or plastic)
Technique: Spinning throw from fixed position
Scoring: Distance
Same technique as the light hammer, but with a 22 lb. ball for men or 16 lb. for women attached to the end of a shaft about 4 feet in length. With feet in a fixed position, the hammer is whirled about one's head and thrown for distance, testing both power and control. This substantially increases the distance attainable in the throw.
Weight: 22 lbs (men), 16 lbs (women)
Shaft: ~4 feet (wood, bamboo, rattan, or plastic)
Technique: Spinning throw from fixed position
Scoring: Distance
Weight for distance, also known as the weight throw event. The light weight uses 28 lb. for men and 14 lb. for women. The weights are made of metal and have a handle attached by means of a chain. The implement is thrown with one hand using any technique. Usually a spinning technique is employed. The longest throw wins.
Weight: 28 lbs (men), 14 lbs (women)
Handle: Chain-attached handle
Technique: One-handed, spinning usually employed
Scoring: Distance - longest throw wins
The heavy weight uses 56 lb for men, 42 lb. for masters men, and 28 lb for women. The weights are made of metal and have a handle attached by means of a chain. The implement is thrown with one hand using any technique. Usually a spinning technique is employed, requiring tremendous strength and technique to achieve competitive distances. The longest throw wins.
Weight: 56 lbs (men), 42 lbs (masters), 28 lbs (women)
Handle: Chain-attached handle
Technique: One-handed, spinning usually employed
Scoring: Distance - longest throw wins
Athletes attempt to toss a 56 pound weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using only one hand. Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. The competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses being used to break tie scores.
Weight: 56 lbs
Technique: One-handed toss
Attempts: Three attempts per height
Scoring: Height cleared (ties broken by fewest misses)
The straw is wrapped in a burlap bag. Competitors must use a pitch fork to throw it over a bar that gets progressively higher. Participants get three attempts to clear the bar, without the sheaf touching it. With those that manage to do so progressing to the next height.
Weight: 16-20 lbs
Tool: Pitchfork
Attempts: Three attempts per height
Scoring: Height cleared without touching bar
We're bringing even more strength and tradition to Scotfest 2026
Ancient Scottish wrestling where competitors grip each other around the body, linking hands behind their opponent's back. The first wrestler to break their grip or touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet loses. Pure technique meets raw strength.
"Backhold wrestling is one of Scotland's oldest sports. Competitors must maintain their grip throughout the match - break it and you lose. It's deceptively simple but incredibly demanding."
The ultimate test of raw power. Athletes lift massive round stones of increasing weight onto platforms. This strongman competition has become wildly popular, combining ancient Scottish stone lifting traditions with modern strength athletics. Prepare to witness incredible displays of human power.
"Atlas Stones have become the signature event of modern strongman competitions. The combination of grip strength, explosive power, and sheer determination makes this one of the most exciting events to watch."
Want to compete in these NEW events?
REGISTER NOWFrom first-timers to world champions, we have competition classes for every skill level. Over 10 different categories ensure fair and exciting competition all weekend long.
A-Class · B-Class · C-Class
Women's World · Men's Lightweight National · All-American Qualifier
Masters 40+ · Masters 50+ · Masters 60+ · Masters 70+
Novice Class · Lightweight Class
Our Novice Class is PERFECT for first-timers! You don't need to be a professional athlete—just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to try.
Instruction provided · Experienced athletes show you the ropes
No experience required · Everyone starts somewhere!
Safe & supportive · Compete with other beginners
Amazing experience · Stories you'll tell for years
"I had zero experience and signed up for Novice Class. Best decision ever! The competitors were incredibly supportive and I actually placed 3rd. Now I'm hooked!" - Mark T.
The Highland Games Heavy Athletics experience offers participants a thrilling and authentic opportunity to step into the world of traditional Scottish competition. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a curious beginner, these classes are designed to immerse you in the strength, skill, and tradition of iconic events like the caber toss, hammer throw, and stone put. Guided by expert instructors, each class provides a hands-on experience tailored to different skill levels, ensuring everyone can enjoy the challenge and camaraderie of these legendary feats.
A-Class is one who, in the past two (2) years, has personal records exceeding four (4) or more of the following marks:
B-Class is one who, in the past two (2) years, has personal records exceeding four (4) or more of the following marks:
C-Class is one who has experienced previously as a Novice, and understands and has in the past 2 years tried each event:
An amateur who has never competed previously or whose personal records do not exceed at least four (4) of the above marks.
An amateur class in which all throwers' weight is 200 lb. or less.
An amateur who is over forty (40) years old by the date of Scotfest.
An amateur who is over fifty (50) years old by the date of Scotfest.
Choose your class and register for the Highland Games Heavy Athletics Championships at Scotfest 2026.
REGISTER NOW