Our Events 🏅

28lb Weight for distance – Probably the most graceful of the Heavy Events, however, the footwork necessary is very intricate. The technicalities have much in common with discus throwing, although the weights used by our athletes are about 10 times heavier.

56lb Weight for height – Originally practiced in the farm yard, where an object , such as a barrel top, would be suspended from a pulley at the hay loft, or alternatively, from the branch of a tree. Nowadays the athletes throw the half hundred weight over a bar on stands, as in the pole vault.

Caber – In traditional caber tossing the athletes do not try to toss the caber further than their opponents.  They try to toss it straighter.  A “12 o’clock throw” is perfect.  At Carmunnock you can see this traditional event but also tossing the caber for distance which offers a different challenge to the athletes.

Stone Putt – This very traditional event has long been one of Scotland’s favourites. Indeed, it became so popular during the reign of Edward III, that a law was passed to make Stone Putting illegal. This was because archery, so essential for national defence was being neglected! Like the stones used at most Highland Gatherings, the ones used in the Carmunnock Games come from the bed of a Scottish river where the action of the water has gradually worn the stone to the shape and smoothness required for this event.

Sheaf Toss – A pitchfork is used to hurl a bag stuffed with straw over a horizontal bar above the competitor’s head. Typical weight for the bag is 16lbs (about 7kgs). Three chances are given to each competitor to cleanly go over the bar, without touching it. After all challengers have made their attempts, the bar is raised and all successful competitors move on to the new height. This continues until all but one athlete is eliminated.

Farmer’s Walk – The farmer’s walk event is seen in many of the strongman competitions today. For years, it has been a common event at competitions of all levels. From the Carmunnock Games to the World’s Strongest Man, it tests more than just the grip. Sure the grip is tested in this event, but so is the agility, upper back and leg strength as well as the mental toughness of an athlete. Starting with a heavy deadlift-like movement and then moving with the weight over a certain distance is a great way to test the athleticism and strength of anyone!

Atlas Stones – As the name suggests, lifting these solid stone spheres is a true test of any athlete’s strength and stamina. Stones of increasing weight and circumference are lifted onto large wooden casks, approximately 5ft tall. Stones range from 50kgs – 120kgs and the smooth stone spheres demand a combination of grip, skill and technique when lifting.

Pole Push – The pole push uses a 2.5 metre long  rope-handled pole where two competitors will attempt to push each other out of the 5 meter diameter circular

Swingle Tree – The Swingle Tree is a traditional Highland Shepherd strength test that dates back over a century.  These days a shepherd’s crook is used but the traditional Swingle Tree is a wooden shaft located on a cart or carriage as part of the horse harness. Two competitors are in a seated position with their feet against a wooden beam, holding either end of the crook.

Competitors will attempt to pull one another to their side, the loser being the competitor going over to the opposite side.