The origins of the caber toss are unknown. Even the source of the word "caber" is disputed. Some say it is taken from the Gaelic word for rafter or pole and others say it is a shortened version of "casting the bar." Some say this test of strength, agility and balance came from the work of angling logs across creeks or rivers to make bridges. Another popular explanation involves tossing logs around during a medieval siege, either across a moat or against the walls of a castle. There are lots of other stories, each more outrageous than the last, that circulate during Highland Games. The only thing that is certain is that no one really knows.

The modern version of caber tossing or caber turning can be traced back to at least the turn of the nineteenth century, documented in drawings and early photos. The sport was probably played before that in some form or another. There is an illustration from 1636 of a man "spurning the bar" at the Cotswold Games. Another version from a "survey of London" in 1720 describes a game very much like caber toss, called Pitch the Bar. Scotland proudly claims the origin of caber toss, although there are very similar activities in the Nordic lands, France, Italy and Germany.

The caber is a tapered wooden pole, anywhere from 16 to 22 feet long, weighing between 100 and 180 pounds. The traditional Scottish rules of caber toss differ somewhat from the way it is done at American Highland Games. It isn't the distance of the toss that matters. The judges observe the angle that the caber falls in relation to the thrower's shoulders. It usually takes three men to bring the caber to the thrower. The thrower then hoists the caber so that the bottom is almost on level with his or her elbows. The smaller end of the pole is cradled in the palms of the thrower's clapsed hands and the weight of it is balanced against their shoulder. When balanced just right, the thrower runs forward with it for a distance of 20 yards or so, increasing speed to gain momentum. Then it is tossed by pushing upward and letting it fall forward from the shoulder. A good toss flips the pole so that the larger end of the caber hits the ground and neatly flips the smaller end over so that the pole lands in a straight line perpendicular to the thrower's shoulders. The winner is also judged by style of throwing, which includes stance and steps, as well as strength, balance and agility.

Different rules also may apply to the caber itself. If a new caber proves impossible for anyone to toss, it may be cut and shortened. Once tossed, a caber is usually not cut. There are some cabers that belong to clan traditions and are brought out for games year after year.

Donald Dinnie, born in 1837 and still champion in 1890, was the best caber tosser in the modern history of the sport.

If you think you're up to the challenge and want to warm up with a fun online caber toss click here.

If you are seriously considering it and want to know firsthand what it's like to toss a caber, read this!

Or if you'd rather just watch from a safe distance, here is an interesting BBC archive film clip of a caber toss. Click HERE and scroll down to "Sport in Scotland (1938)". The caber toss is the last event on the film clip.

Even better yet, come to Cean Tir this weekend and join the Lughnasadh Caber Toss!