THE FIVE TRIALS

When the hour comes, every man of the Gathering shall take the field.

To keep the Games fair, competitors shall be divided into two divisions: Stag and Ram. 

Five trials of strength, skill, accuracy, and perhaps a wee bit of luck await. Each man shall face them all within his division, with every throw, toss, and carry earning points toward his standing in the Games.

First, Second, and Third shall be named in each trial within each division. When the final contest is finished, and the scores are tallied, the top men of Stag and Ram shall be recognized.

Champion of the Bonnie Wee Highland Games
Second Place Overall
Third Place Overall

No entry is needed. If ye answer the summons and come to the Gathering, the Games await thee.

FIVE TRIALS. TWO DIVISIONS. GLORY AWAITS.

Let the Games begin.

Select each trial below to discover what awaits.

Perhaps the most recognizable of the Highland Games, the Caber Toss is a trial of strength, balance, and accuracy.

Each competitor shall lift the caber from its smaller end, balance it upright, and cast it forward with the aim of turning it completely end over end.

The Trial

Each man shall receive three attempts.

A successful toss must turn the caber end over end. Once turned, placement shall be determined by where the caber lands in relation to the thrower, as though upon the face of a clock.

A perfect toss lands at 12 o'clock.

The competitor whose successful toss falls closest to 12 o'clock shall take First Place, followed by the next closest for Second and Third.

Should no man turn the caber, placement shall be determined by the attempt that comes nearest to completing the turn.

First • Second • Third

Watch the demonstration before taking the field.

A traditional trial of raw Highland strength, the Stone Put calls upon each man to send the stone farther than those who stand against him.

Unlike a common throw, the stone is put from the shoulder with one hand and may not be thrown like a baseball.

The Trial

Each man shall receive three attempts.

The competitor shall begin behind the marked line with the stone held against the neck or shoulder. From there, he may gather his strength and put the stone forward with one hand.

The competitor must remain behind the line until the stone has left his hand. Crossing the line shall render the attempt a foul.

Distance shall be measured from the throwing line to the first point at which the stone strikes the ground.

The longest legal put shall take First Place, followed by the next farthest for Second and Third.

First • Second • Third

Watch the demonstration before taking the field.

A trial of explosive strength and no small measure of courage, the Keg Toss calls upon each man to send the keg soaring over the bar above.

The Trial

Each competitor shall attempt to throw the keg backward and overhead to clear a horizontal bar.

The Games shall begin at a set height. Each man shall receive three attempts to clear each height.

A successful throw is one in which the keg passes completely over the bar.

Once a height is cleared, the bar shall be raised and the remaining competitors shall continue.

Three failed attempts at the same height shall end a competitor's trial.

The man who clears the greatest height shall take First Place, followed by the next highest for Second and Third.

Should two or more men finish at the same height, the competitor requiring the fewest attempts to clear that height shall take the higher place.

First • Second • Third

Watch the demonstration before taking the field.

A trial of strength, timing, and skill, the Sheaf Toss challenges each man to send a weighted bundle soaring high overhead with naught but a pitchfork and a well-timed heave.

The Trial

Each competitor shall use a pitchfork to cast the sheaf over a horizontal bar.

The Games shall begin at a set height. Each man shall receive three attempts to clear each height.

The sheaf must pass completely over the bar to count as a successful attempt.

Once a height is cleared, the bar shall be raised and the remaining competitors shall continue.

Three failed attempts at the same height shall end a competitor's trial.

The man who clears the greatest height shall take First Place, followed by the next highest for Second and Third.

Should two or more men finish at the same height, the competitor requiring the fewest attempts to clear that height shall take the higher place.

First • Second • Third

Watch the demonstration before taking the field.

The final trial calls for no great aim nor clever throw. Only strength, endurance, and the will to carry on when the body says otherwise.

Before each man stand the stones.

His task is simple.

Carry them.

The Trial

Each competitor shall lift and carry the same pair of stones through a marked course.

The stones must be carried by hand for the entirety of the course and may not be rested upon the shoulders or otherwise supported by the body.

The clock shall begin upon the signal to start and shall stop when both stones have completely crossed the finish line.

Should a competitor drop a stone, he may recover it and continue, though the clock shall not stop.

The man completing the course in the fastest time shall take First Place, followed by the next fastest for Second and Third.

Should a competitor be unable to complete the full course, his distance traveled shall be recorded. A completed course shall always rank above an incomplete attempt.

First • Second • Third

Watch the demonstration before taking the field.

THE VICTORS

Each of the Five Trials shall name its own First, Second, and Third Place finishers within both Stag and Ram divisions.

Those victories shall earn points toward each man's standing within his division.

First Place — 5 Points
Second Place — 3 Points
Third Place — 1 Point

When the final trial has ended and all scores have been tallied, the three men with the greatest number of points in each division shall be named:

CHAMPION OF THE BONNIE WEE HIGHLAND GAMES 

SECOND PLACE OVERALL

THIRD PLACE OVERALL

Their victories shall be recognized following the evening feast.

Five Trials. Two Division. Two Champions.

HALL OF CHAMPIONS

Here shall be recorded the men who have claimed victory in the Bonnie Wee Highland Games

2026 — Yet to be determined

May their victories be remembered, their boasts grow greater with every telling, and their names remain forever in the annals of the Bonnie Wee Society.