Backhold Wrestlers; Frazer Hirsch & Paul Craig

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Gripping the Shaft

Caber Tossing at Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Roped Up Highlanders

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Bearded Spectator

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Tug O' War

Tug-O-War Competition

 This a team contest consisting of either five or eight members to each team and one coach. The coach will encourage the team to pull as and when required dependant on the opposing teams actions. The coach must be very alert to keep his team fully aware of the moves intended or to just hold awaiting the correct time to make a move. The competition will commence with the command from the judge `Pick up the rope`, thereupon the two teams move back until the rope is taught and the judge inserts the marker flag opposite the central marker on the rope. The teams thump their feet into the ground for firm hold and then lean back on the rope and the judge gives the command ` Pull` whereupon the two teams then pull with all their strength. The object is to pull with nearly straight arms and legs from as low a position as possible with all members of the team in unison. The length of the pull may vary but officially should be 12 feet which is measured by two markers on the rope each six feet from the centre. When either mark passes the stick placed in the ground by the judge at the central point of the rope when starting competition, the other side has won that pull. The teams then change ends and the best of three is the winner.

Hammer Throw

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Highland Games Fashion

Tug O' War Contesttant spots a purple toned kilt outfit - nice ! Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015 Loch Lomond Highland Games are a traditional Scottish Highland Games situated in the village of Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond. The games were started in 1967 by a group of local business men with an outlay of £500 to promote tourism in the Balloch area. The games are now one of the top three Highland Games in Scotland hosting the Scottish Highland Games Association World Heavyweight Championship and the 80 metre Scottish Sprint Championship. The games are the only Scottish games to host a Triathlon which includes a swim in Loch Lomond. Other events include piping, athletics, wrestling, cycling, dancing and all the usual heavyweight events. Sadly heavy rain the day before the 2015 games waterlogged parts of the Games field and necesitaed the cancellation of track events. Thus the main focus of the photos comprises Scottish Backhold Wrestling, Heavy events and Tug O’ War.

Rope Grab

Tug o'war The tug o'war is one of the most fiercely fought over competitions at the Highland Games. This involves eight men pulling against another team of eight, coached by an additional member of the team who encourages the team and shouts instructions of technique to ensure they pull their opposite number across the line.

Highlanders' Tug O War Team

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Paul Craig and FRazer Hirsch - Backhold Wrestling

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Tug O' War Spectators

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Loch Lomond Highland Games are a traditional Scottish Highland Games situated in the village of Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond. The games were started in 1967 by a group of local business men with an outlay of £500 to promote tourism in the Balloch area. The games are now one of the top three Highland Games in Scotland hosting the Scottish Highland Games Association World Heavyweight Championship and the 80 metre Scottish Sprint Championship. The games are the only Scottish games to host a Triathlon which includes a swim in Loch Lomond. Other events include piping, athletics, wrestling, cycling, dancing and all the usual heavyweight events. Sadly heavy rain the day before the 2015 games waterlogged parts of the Games field and necesitaed the cancellation of track events. Thus the main focus of the photos comprises Scottish Backhold Wrestling, Heavy events and Tug O’ War.

Tug O' War

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015 Loch Lomond Highland Games are a traditional Scottish Highland Games situated in the village of Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond. The games were started in 1967 by a group of local business men with an outlay of £500 to promote tourism in the Balloch area. The games are now one of the top three Highland Games in Scotland hosting the Scottish Highland Games Association World Heavyweight Championship and the 80 metre Scottish Sprint Championship. The games are the only Scottish games to host a Triathlon which includes a swim in Loch Lomond. Other events include piping, athletics, wrestling, cycling, dancing and all the usual heavyweight events. Sadly heavy rain the day before the 2015 games waterlogged parts of the Games field and necesitaed the cancellation of track events. Thus the main focus of the photos comprises Scottish Backhold Wrestling, Heavy events and Tug O’ War.

Highland Games Spectators

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

And the band played on !

Loch Lomond Games 2015

Scottish Backhold Wrestling

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Animated Tug O' War Team

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Tug O' War

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015 Loch Lomond Highland Games are a traditional Scottish Highland Games situated in the village of Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond. The games were started in 1967 by a group of local business men with an outlay of £500 to promote tourism in the Balloch area. The games are now one of the top three Highland Games in Scotland hosting the Scottish Highland Games Association World Heavyweight Championship and the 80 metre Scottish Sprint Championship. The games are the only Scottish games to host a Triathlon which includes a swim in Loch Lomond. Other events include piping, athletics, wrestling, cycling, dancing and all the usual heavyweight events. Sadly heavy rain the day before the 2015 games waterlogged parts of the Games field and necesitaed the cancellation of track events. Thus the main focus of the photos comprises Scottish Backhold Wrestling, Heavy events and Tug O’ War.

Scottish Backhold Wrestler: Scott Carson

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Tug O' War

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015

Roped Up!

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015 Loch Lomond Highland Games are a traditional Scottish Highland Games situated in the village of Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond. The games were started in 1967 by a group of local business men with an outlay of £500 to promote tourism in the Balloch area. The games are now one of the top three Highland Games in Scotland hosting the Scottish Highland Games Association World Heavyweight Championship and the 80 metre Scottish Sprint Championship. The games are the only Scottish games to host a Triathlon which includes a swim in Loch Lomond. Other events include piping, athletics, wrestling, cycling, dancing and all the usual heavyweight events. Sadly heavy rain the day before the 2015 games waterlogged parts of the Games field and necesitaed the cancellation of track events. Thus the main focus of the photos comprises Scottish Backhold Wrestling, Heavy events and Tug O’ War.

Ciaran Kane

Loch Lomond Highland Games 2015