VIDEO: Highland athletes preview Smoky Mountain Scottish Games

May 13, 2026 - 09:33

MARYVILLE, Tenn. -- For the uninitiated, the sight of a kilted man hurling a massive wooden pole into the air might seem like a scene from a medieval fantasy. But for the athletes competing in the Smoky Mountain Scottish Games, it is simply a matter of tradition, strength, and precision. As the 44th annual festival approaches, competitors gathered recently to offer a preview of the heavy events that draw thousands of spectators each year.

The "telephone pole," officially known as the caber toss, is the signature event of the Highland games. Athletes must pick up a tapered log, balance it vertically, and flip it end over end so it lands perfectly in the 12 o'clock position. "It looks like brute force, but it is all about timing and the wind," said one veteran thrower, who has been competing for over a decade. "If you get the run-up wrong, the caber will just fall on you."

The Smoky Mountain Scottish Games, set to take place at the Smoky Mountain Expo Center, will feature not only the caber toss but also the hammer throw, sheaf toss, and stone put. Organizers expect over 100 athletes from across the Southeast to compete in various weight classes. Beyond the athletic competition, the festival will include pipe bands, Highland dancing, and clan tents.

For the athletes, the event is a chance to keep a centuries-old tradition alive. "It is not just about winning," another competitor noted. "It is about the community. We all help each other get the caber up, and we cheer for the guy who finally flips it after ten tries." The games promise a weekend of heavy lifting, loud bagpipes, and a deep respect for Scottish heritage.