Stone Put

The Stone Put is one of the main events in a set of Highland Games.

The Stone Put is most similar to the shot put in the modern Olympics, although in most cases a stone is used as opposed to an iron ball. Similar to the caber toss, there are no set weights for the stones used in the Stone Put. Typically a set of stones in Highland Games will weigh between 16 and 26 pounds, although these are normally reduced to being between 8 and 16 pounds for women's competitions.

The biggest difference between the Stone Put and shot put is in its throwing technique. Primarily, stone put does not allow for any form of run up before the throw itself, in essence it is a straight standing put. Further, there is no set technique required for the throw, the participant can use any technique they choose, with the one regulation that the stone starts out cradled in the hand of the participant, next to the neck.

Some researchers have placed the origin of the Stone Put to ancient traditions. Namely there are two which correspond to the modern Stone Put, these are Clach Neart and Clach Cuid Fir, or the the Stone of Strength and the Stone of Manhood, respectively. The stone of strength was thrown for distance, and the stone of manhood was lifted in displays of strength.