Putting the Shot

Probably the oldest of the heavyweight sports and the easiest for young lads to take-up - all they needed was a smooth stone from the river bed.

Each different Gathering had its own such stone which might vary in weight between 13lbs (5.9kgs) as at Tomintoul, and 28lbs (12.7kgs) as at Glen Isla and Braemar.
This made comparison of distance records between the various Highland games, very difficult indeed.

Nowadays the old stones tend to have been replaced at most gatherings by a standardised iron sphere weighing either 16lbs (7.26kgs) or 22lbs (10kgs).

The weight or shot is thrown with one hand only from in front of the shoulders. A run not exceeding 7ft 6ins (2.3m) is allowed up to the trig which is a length of wood 4ft 6ins (1.37m) long and six inches ( 15cms) high.

Starkey's Shot
Sergeant Major Robert Starkey was one of the best known heavyweight athletes during the 1920s and 30s and in 1924 was coach to the British team for the Paris Olympics. That team included such famous figures as Harald Abrahams and Eric Liddell of Chariots of Fire fame and the American team included swimmer Johnny Weissmuller - Tarzan.

Bob Starkey became very friendly with Clarence Houser - the American shot-putter who won the gold medal for that event. Houser presented Starkey with the solid brass shot with which he had won the event and Starkey presented it to Crieff Highland Gathering. The shot can be seen at the Visitors' tent each year.