The caber is a tree trunk stripped of its branches.

Amongst commentators, past and present, there is a marked divergence of opinion as to the manner in which, and the precise period, caber tossing originated. There is one thing about which all are unanimous, and that is, that Tossing the Caber is distinctly a Scottish sport - probably the most characteristic Scottish sport item that appears on the Highland Games programme.

To most of us who have seen the caber tossed, the mention of it conjures up a vision of an arena at the bottom of a fir clad hill. At the games, we have seen nimble footed runners, musicianly pipers, and light as air dancers, but the heavy athlete in the centre of the arena, standing behind the caber, and flexing his muscles in readiness to toss the caber is the finest sight of all.

Carefully the athlete stoops. His hands are deftly inserted beneath the small end of the tree. There is a quick, clean lift by him, and an upward sweep from the ground. The caber rests against his shoulder, the end of it carried in his overlapping palms, About eight-ninths of the caber towers above the level of his shoulder with the heaviest end of it at the top.

The balancing is achieved by expert judgement.

A run is taken - swift, straight, unerring. From top speed he comes to full stop, and at that instant the caber leaves his shoulder. With every atom of his strength, he hurls the small end upwards.

The eyes of the crowd are strained as they watch him, and they are silent in anticipation.

Will the caber go over in a twelve o’clock toss - which finishes the caber perfectly straight?

Tossing the Caber is a great feat of Highland games prowess, and a true art only achieved by the most proficient heavy Highland Games athletes.

Bill Anderson

{1976 Annual p.211}