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The Caber Toss - A Traditional Scottish Sport

Caber toss is a traditional Scottish sport, and part of the Scottish Highland Games, in which the competition revolves around tossing forward a large tapered pole called a "Caber". The sport is believed to have originated from friendly lumberjacks challenges to toss logs across narrow creeks in order to cross them.



The poles used for the sport are made from larch trees and are typically 19ft 6in long and weighing about 175lbs.

The primary objective of the sport is to toss the caber in such a manner that it turns end-over-end and falls away from the tosser. The distance thrown does not carry any significance. The throw is rather evaluated based on how the caber lands. If the caber fall in a 12 o'clock position it is considered to be the most ideal toss.

log tossing eventa log tossing event

The caber should be carried with the tapered end pointing downwards. The tosser carries the caber with interlocked hands and supporting it against their shoulders. Before the toss, competitors run with the caber for a short distance to gain momentum. In competitions, each competitor normally gets three attempts to toss the caber.

Points are awarded for each toss based on how the caber lands. End-over-end tosses with the straightest vertical angle are awarded the most points.



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