Posts Tagged: tossing the caber
Ballater is a quaint Victorian village near to the Royal Family’s Scottish home Balmoral Castle. Many shops and tradesmen proudly display the Royal Warrant outside their premises. Some shops are by appointment both to Her Majesty The Queen and to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
Lochnagar is a former volcano
The whole area is adjacent to areas of outstanding natural beauty such as Glen Muick & Lochnagar.
Many excellent walks set off from the Loch Muick area; including the walk to Lochnagar – an extinct volcano depicted above.
The Deeside Line was a Victorian railway which used to take Queen Victotia to Ballater Railway Station.
The Railway station was restored and featured; amongst other things; Queen Victoria’s toilet.
The Old Ballater Railway Station was turned into a museum. Subsequently it was destroyed by fire and has now been rebuilt.
Highland Games Heavy Events.
Highland Games Heavy Events are a fore runner of the modern Olympic Games.
Donald Dinnie from Birse, Aboyne was the worlds first sporting superstar due to his Highland Games exploits.
Highland Games Heavy events include tossing the caber, weight for distance, hammer throwing, putting the stone or ball, and weight over the bar.
Click here for The Dinnie Stones
Putting the stone or ball. This is where the Olympic event of putting the shot came from.
Weight for distance. – The competitor spins around to throw a heavy weight on the end of a chain. One hand is used to throw the weight and the other arm is used for rotational balance. The competitor throws the weight as far as he can.
Throwing the hammer. The hammer is spun around the head several times using both hands and then released. The competitors have long spikes attached to the front of their boots to anchor them to the ground.
Weight over the bar (for height) A weight is thrown upwards over a bar; which is raised up, to assess the highest height achievable.
Tossing the caber. Competitors balance a long wooden pole on one end then run with it until they are going fast enough to tip it over end over end. The caber is thrown for accuracy and not for distance.