Caber Tossing

[davedove]

Again, I don't have any experience in this kind of situation, but I think that archers are only really effective for shooting people that are a long ways from your troops. They didn't shoot people that were right up close because either your own troops would be in the way or they'd be too far away to get a good shot. Archers shot at crowds, I think, not individuals. Just guessing here. In my mind it still beats the other ideas, but I still think there's just as good a chance that someone made it it.

Well, on the field, masses of archers would fire at masses of troops. Archers behind battlements also fired in this way, but would also individually fire at targets of opportunity. This would include enemy archers, siege engine crews, and maniacs running at your battlements with a log.

[Mattg]

...and maniacs running at your battlements with a log.

It makes me proud to think that hundreds of years ago my forefathers were a little crazy It's funny how certain things pass down through the generations...

[Planopiper]

Yeah, I thought it was a stupid explanation. It's a stupid event, too.

[Panache]

To all. The origins of the the various events that comprise a Highland Games can be broken down to simple equations.


Scottish men + beer + testosterone + hammer = HAMMER THROW

Scottish men + beer + testosterone - hammer + rock = STONE PUT

Scottish men + too much testosterone + too much beer - hammer - rock + great big log = CABER TOSS

Bored Scottish men + Scotch + gopher holes + crooked walking stick + little ball = GOLF

Really really REALLY bored Scottish men + winter + ice + giant vat of alcohol + broom + large rock = CURLING

After Curling became an actual recognized sport, the newly founded United Nations voted unanimously that Scotland was no longer permitted to invent new games. Which is a blessing because you know somewhere in the highlands the equation began:

Scottish men + Scotch + Beer + Testosterone + sheep...

[switchblade5984]

now thats a good one.......

[starbkjrus]

Have to say....I'm with Panache (and others who have stated similar) on this one. Young Scott's w/ strength AND booze = Highland Games.

[James]

Can I suggest that it evolved from the natural amusements of chaps engaged in hard manual work, with a link to the actuality of that work: which in turn evolved into formal sports with actual rules.

Today there are competitions for throwing bales of hay from pitchforks-natural for a farm worker to show off their physical prowess.

Or skills such as archery, and shooting.

Hammers-rocks, I think obvious.

So I can imagine chaps working with timber competing to see who could throw a log futhest-this evolving into caber tossing.

James

[Scottish Chi]

To all. The origins of the the various events that comprise a Highland Games can be broken down to simple equations...

After Curling became an actual recognized sport, the newly founded United Nations voted unanimously that Scotland was no longer permitted to invent new games. Which is a blessing because you know somewhere in the highlands the equation began:

Scottish men + Scotch + Beer + Testosterone + sheep...

Scottish men + Scotch + Beer + Testosterone + sheep = pitching woo.......l

[Pour1Malt]

latest Scots sports- proposed tae the Olympic committee.....



1. Sheep Jugglin...

2. Moorish Dancer Tossin...

3. Whisky Barrel Throw... (fou an empty catagories)

4. Haggii Golf...

5. Kilted Pole Vault....

[smaughazard]

latest Scots sports- proposed tae the Olympic committee.....

1. Sheep Jugglin...

2. Moorish Dancer Tossin...

3. Whisky Barrel Throw... (fou an empty catagories)

4. Haggii Golf...

5. Kilted Pole Vault....

And a few more (proposed late at the pub):

6. Caber Catch…

7. Single Malt Marathon…

8. Targe Frisbee…

9. Kilt Lifting (a women's event)…

10. Claymore Swallowing…

:mrgreen: