Scottish Highland Games are a unique mix of sport, culture and community – and they’re crying out for more competitors. Gayle has a crack at some of the activities.
A huge, brawny hulk of a man sporting a kilt is twirling a metal ball attached to a wooden shaft round his head.
As it gathers momentum, his calves strain, his biceps bulge and the veins on his neck look as though they’re about to pop.
On the fourth spin, he lets go, and the ball flies up into the air and lands with a dunt way down the field.
This is the Scottish hammer throw, one of the heavy events at any modern-day Scottish Highland Games.
I’m spending a morning at Strathmore Highland Games, where organisers are keen to spread the word that everyone is welcome to get involved.
Hence, I’m invited to try some of the events for myself. Eek.
“I’ve got no upper body strength,” I whimper, as James Dawkins, 24, hands me a shot put and shows me how to throw it.
I struggle to lift the damn thing, let along chuck it any significant distance and cringe as it thuds to the ground a mere few feet away.
Apparently this one is 6kg, which is just shy of the 7.26kg version used by men in the Olympics.
Next up is tossing the caber and I gasp as Lukasz Wenta hoists up a gigantic tree trunk with an almighty grunt and hurls it into the air.
“Maybe try a lighter one,” suggests Charlie Murray, who’s both president of the Scottish Highland Games Association (SHGA) and Strathmore Games.
I struggle to hold one of the lightest cabers upright, and it topples, cracking photographer Kris Miller on the knee.
Maybe I’ll do better at tug o’ war – a game which sees two teams pulling on opposite ends of a rope, with the goal being to bring it a certain distance in one direction against the force of the opposing team.
I’ve not brought a team with me, so I pull against Charlie. It’s tougher than it looks and takes all your strength.
I lose the contest and end up on the ground. How some teams can hang on for up to an hour beggars belief.
Clearly, the heavy events are not for the weak and feeble but they’re an awesome spectacle to behold, and the guys I watch hurling, tossing, throwing and swinging are mostly great hulking brutes, although a few are slim and wiry.
The under-18 competitions – which include shot put, hammer throw, throwing weight for distance and tossing the caber – use lighter weights than in the main contests.
And there are plenty of other events to compete in, from Highland dancing and solo piping to athletics event including running and cycling.
I enjoy a brief lesson with Highland dancer Rachael Walker, 23, from Fettercairn.
It’s a tad complex but I try my best to follow her movements as she gives me tips on “shedding”, kicking, turning, and performing quick steps and the “shake off of the trews”.
Rachael has been doing this since she was two years old, so she’s pretty nifty.
There’s money up for grabs at most Highland Games, too.
Today at Glamis, the winning tug o’ war team nets £200 and Lukasz takes £110 for his toss of the caber.
Competitors hail from all over the world – 17-year-old Isaac Moore is from Oregon, USA, and Lukasz is originally from Poland.
I also meet visitors from the USA, Bavaria, France and Germany.
Before leaving, I listen as Ben Duncan, 28, plays a rousing Pibroch on his pipes, before moving on to a Strathspey.
With Glamis Castle as a stunning backdrop, it’s just about as evocative a moment as you could hope for.
From May to September, you can get in on the action at one of more than 80 Highland games taking place across Scotland.
The SHGA, which has been going round schools across the country inspiring young people to get involved, oversees more than 60 games in Scotland with associate members overseas.
Ian Grieve, president of the SHGA, says events rely the support of volunteers.
“With games taking place most weekends during summer, and a number of regional leagues in operation, there are many opportunities on the games circuit for those interested in competing.”
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With traditional heavy athletic events like tug-o-war and the caber toss, as well as Highland dance competitions, track and field events, and piping, Highland Games are a spectacle like no other.
Anyone interested in helping their local Highland Games by volunteering as a judge or official should get in touch with organisers.
For more details, see www.shga.co.uk, or email Ian Grieve at ig2shga@gmail.com or Charlie Murray at elmrry1@aol.com
