Highland Wrestling

**CMcG** · 13th May 11, 01:23 PM

I see that some Highland Games have a form of backhold wrestling. Have any members of the rabble participated? If so, what was your experience like? Does this ever happen in Ontario?

**CMcG** · 13th May 11, 01:31 PM

**Alan H** · 13th May 11, 02:24 PM

I've set up a miniature backhold tournament as part of my Guilds activities with a related Guild, at a Scottish Renaissance Faire. I taught the guys 4-5 basic moves and then we just went at it. It was fun, but it's an experience to go clean over backwards and take the full force of a 260 pound mate, straight on your chest.

**CMcG** · 13th May 11, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

<snip> It was fun, but it's an experience to go clean over backwards and take the full force of a 260 pound mate, straight on your chest.

*OUCH*

Apparently one of the rules is that you aren't allowed to let go of the opponent and must land on top when you take them down in order to win a point. That pretty much guarantees someone gets a kilted body slam!

**chrisupyonder** · 13th May 11, 09:02 PM

http://www.gmhg.org/highlandwrestling.htm

Interesting site and some good photo's

A bit far from Ontario though.

Chris.

**o1d_dude** · 14th May 11, 01:55 PM

Cumberland wrestling has only been contested once at any of the West Coast games that I can recall and that was a number of years ago.

**LitTrog** · 14th May 11, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

*OUCH*

Apparently one of the rules is that you aren't allowed to let go of the opponent and must land on top when you take them down in order to win a point. That pretty much guarantees someone gets a kilted body slam!

Yeah...I thought it looked like fun. The lack of weight classes might remove a little of my enthusiasm. Or maybe just provide a good incentive not to get thrown! I'm solid, but only 165.