Tam's Tall Tales

- Caber Tossing



Caber Tossing Record Comes Crashing Down



Bught Park in Inverness (graphic here by Sologoal via Wikimedia Commons) was the venue for the world-beating caber tossing spectacular. 200 beefy gentlemen smashed a record set in Canada where 52 cabers were tossed at the Fergus Ontario Highland Games.


Cabers are traditionally made from larch and will weigh in at 175 lbs, being 19 and a half feet tall. The term 'caber' derives from the Gaelic word "cabar" or "kaber" which refers to a wooden beam.

The primary objective is to toss the caber so that it turns end over end, falling away from the thrower. Ideally it should fall directly away from the tosser in the "12 o'clock" position. The distance thrown is unimportant.

Weight and strength are clearly essential for success, but technique is also necessary for balancing the caber when lifting it, and flipping up the held (tapered) end to promote a clean toss.








Please give me whatever feedback comes to mind via tamfromrampant@gmail.com.

Tam O'Ranter
May 2014

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