Blacksmith Implements at the Highland Games

 The Heavy Weight Events have been contested at the Highland Games for centuries and are continuing to be a crowed favourite. Implements that were used were those found around the blacksmith’s shop that became tools for building strength for battle. The first tool is the blacksmith’s hammer which would have been used for driving fence posts but became the hammer thrown in the hammer event. The competitor forcefully rotates the hammer to gain momentum, and releases it into the air. The throw is then measured for distance to where the hammer hits the ground. The next implement that would have been found in the blacksmith’s shop is the blacksmith’s weights. The weight events at the Glengarry Highland Games include the Weight for Distance and the Weight for Height. The Weight for Distance event includes two events which includes throwing a heavier weight in the first competition and a lighter weight thrown in the second. Amateurs will throw a 56 lb weight then a 28 lb weight; however, a master will throw as 42 lb weight then a 28 lb weight. In this type of event, the competitor will spin to gain momentum on the weight, and throws it as far as they possibly can while maintaining control of the trig. Similarly to the hammer event, the measurement is to where the weight hits the ground. The other type of weight event is known as the Weight for Height. In this event, the competitor uses only one hand to attempt to throw the weight up and over a horizontal bar. Amateurs throw a 56 lb weight whereas masters will throw a 42 lb weight. As long as the weight goes over the bar, the throw is good. You must succeed at one of three attempts to move onto the next height, however if the competitor fails in all three attempts at a height the competitor is eliminated. The winner of the event is the highest tosser unless there is a tie in which the competitor with the fewest misses is the victor.