Scottish Highland Games Stations
The Highland Games are traditional Scottish festivals with strength events like tossing a log, a sack of straw, or a stone. In class they are recreated with safe equipment at four stations that students rotate through. Students work on power, throwing technique, and sportsmanship.
How to play
- Set up 4 stations and form 4 groups of 6-7. Each group records its results on a sheet (3 min).
- Caber toss: hold a pool noodle upright, take 3 steps, and toss it so it flips end over end; a straight landing scores best.
- Sheaf toss: facing away, throw a beanbag two-handed over a rope tied between two poles, which rises 8 inches each round.
- Stone put: push the medicine ball from the shoulder with one hand, like a shot put, and mark the landing with a cone.
- Tug of war: two teams of 3 pull the rope to bring the center handkerchief to their side.
- Each station lasts 5 minutes, then groups rotate; add up the points at the end (20 min).
Rules
- One person throws at a time, and no one enters the area until the object lands.
- Check that no one is behind you before the sheaf toss.
- Never wrap the rope around your hand.
- Congratulate your opponents after each event, as at the Highland Games.
Variations
Easier
Throw the sheaf facing forward, and the rope starts at 3 feet.
Standard
Four stations with technical throws and tug of war in threes.
Harder
In the second round at each station, compete with the non-dominant hand.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student throws seated and pulls the rope from a stationary position.
- Visual impairment: a partner claps in the landing zone and helps with positioning.
- Fitness level: offer a foam ball instead of the medicine ball.
Learning goals
- Apply explosive force in different types of throws.
- Follow the safety rules at each station.
- Learn about the events and tradition of the Scottish Highland Games.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pool noodles: 4
- beanbags: 6
- long rope: 2
- poles: 2
- medicine ball (2 lb): 3
- cones: 12
- handkerchief: 1
Teacher tip
If you can, play bagpipe music in the background: it sets the mood. Place throwing stations side by side, throwing outward, so no one ends up in a landing zone.
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