Caber Tossing

**Kiltedfirepiper** · 13th June 06, 01:40 PM

I was told once that "back in the day" the caber had notches on one side ( the side held to the body) and it would be thrown so that the notches faced up .....why do this? well if its thrown in a straight line....and the notches are up ......and it happens to land against the wall of a castle ....guess what ....you got yourself a ladder up the wall !
I donno if its true ...but its as good a story as anything else!

Scott

**cavscout** · 13th June 06, 01:58 PM

My initial though was "it was for throwing across obstacles to make a means of crossing. Then I thought about this more.

If it was for crossing a creek, it would be more pratical and efficient to carry a log up place the bottom at the near edge, walk the pole verticle and then let it fall straight the across. This would be more accurate than tossing the pole end over end "hoping" it would fall straight and hit the other side rather than go crooked and float away or fall 100's of feet into a hole. I hope someone brought the extra caber

Even if to lean on a wall, again, why toss it when it would be a more certain method to carry it up and place the base where you want it rather than leave so much to chance in the heat of battle.

My comical opinion is that it was the early form of golf. There was a hole, and the intention was to toss the pole so that it landed in the hole and remained verticle. When the ball was invented the caber was replaced.

**Wompet** · 13th June 06, 03:37 PM

I couldn't resist.

I'm going to go this explanation - that there is no explanation, other than a rabble of Scots with time on their hands and lumber on hand.

**MacWage** · 13th June 06, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by Wompet

I couldn't resist.

I'm going to go this explanation - that there is no explanation, other than a rabble of Scots with time on their hands and lumber on hand.

THAT . . . IS . . . AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

**davedove** · 13th June 06, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by cavscout

My initial though was "it was for throwing across obstacles to make a means of crossing. Then I thought about this more.

If it was for crossing a creek, it would be more pratical and efficient to carry a log up place the bottom at the near edge, walk the pole verticle and then let it fall straight the across. This would be more accurate than tossing the pole end over end "hoping" it would fall straight and hit the other side rather than go crooked and float away or fall 100's of feet into a hole. I hope someone brought the extra caber

Even if to lean on a wall, again, why toss it when it would be a more certain method to carry it up and place the base where you want it rather than leave so much to chance in the heat of battle.

My comical opinion is that it was the early form of golf. There was a hole, and the intention was to toss the pole so that it landed in the hole and remained verticle. When the ball was invented the caber was replaced.

That was pretty much my thought process as well. I can think of uses for a log, but to throw it end over end is terribly impractical.

**Piper** · 13th June 06, 08:00 PM

I run Highland Games at some of the Black Powder Rendezvous in the local area. Years ago I heard the "explanation" that the log was thrown to make a bridge during raids or battles. As has been posted earlier, I thought it was very unlikely. The best theory I've heard is that the event came about through logging. Men loading logs onto a cart let their competitive nature get the upper hand. I give a general explanation for the evolution of the Games, mentioning our penchant to make a contest of daily tasks, and the fact the Clan Chiefs looked for ways to determine their strongest and most agile men, so they knew who to keep near them in battle.

**Tiran** · 13th June 06, 08:15 PM

I just assumed that it was to get at the roman soldiers on the other side of their walls or phalanxs. (I spent a fair bit of time trying to come up with an SCA legal caber for just that purpose.)

But then I also assumed that the frying pan toss was to see whose wife was most dangerous after a night out with the boys.

**Pour1Malt** · 14th June 06, 12:42 AM

it wuz prabably a peacock type thing tae impress the lassies....

"och lass, watch ma handle ma muckle pole!!!"

**Planopiper** · 14th June 06, 05:51 AM

I can see using logs as ladders or to cross creeks or ditches, but it seems like it would make more sense to just walk up and set them in place. Actually, I can't see at all how you could throw a log and have it end up leaning against a wall to use as a ladder.

One explanation I heard was that in a battle, tossing a log at the front ranks of the enemy would open up a gap in the ranks. I suppose I can see that. I have no practical experience in that sort of battle, so I can't judge how feasible it would be.