Distance events (the winner is the one who goes the farthest)

Braemar Stone

Technique: Athletes must throw a round, 22-pound stone from a stationary position (no running or spinning allowed). The competitor is not allowed to touch the top of the trig (the toe bar) or the ground beyond it before or after the throw.

History: A common practice of early Highland chiefs was to keep a large stone outside their gatepost to challenge the throwing arms of every visiting clan's warriors.

Open stone toss

Technique: Similar to the Olympic shot put, the competitor runs up a 7-foot, 6-inch approach path and, using only one hand, throws a 16-pound stone from behind the trig.

History:When under siege, a stone putter would be posted on the battlements where he could hurl boulders down onto the attackers.

Weight-for-distance

Technique: Men use 28- and 56-pound weights that are attached to a ring handle by a chain. The athlete holds the weight in one hand and swings it from side to side to build up momentum, then he spins the weight around and lets it fly. Competitors are scored on their best of three tosses.

History: Another useful demonstration of strength that clan chieftains used to judge their warriors.

Hammer

Technique: A metal ball is attached to a wooden handle to make a hammer no more than 50 inches long. Categories are light (16 pounds) and heavy (22 pounds). The athlete spins around for two or three complete turns and releases. The best of three tosses is scored.

History: The original hammer used in Scotland was that used by the men working in the granite quarries.

Height events (The winner achieves the greatest height)

Sheaf Toss

Technique: A burlap bag weighing 16 to 20 pounds is hurled straight up in the air and over a crossbar with the aid of a two-pronged pitchfork. Each competitor gets three tosses at each height, and has to make the height to move on to the next one.