Traditional Scottish athletics return with Highland Games

This year, athletes participated in the caber toss, sheaf toss, braemar and open stone competitions, weight over bar, heavy- and light-weight distance throws.

By Sarah Knapp • July 8, 2021 1:30 am

The Kachemak Bay Highland Games returned to Homer this summer for the 10th year of traditional Scottish heavy-weight athletic competitions, music, vendors and food. The festival also hosted the Kilted 5K and events for children.

Charles McClain, who has participated in Highland Games for 13 years, said he enjoys participating in the games because of its connection to history. McClain is a national chief of the Scottish American Athletic Association and a certified judge of the Highland Games.

“It’s a fun event. It’s unique athletics, right,” McClain said. “It’s athletics that have been around since before written language. It’s a community thing just to get people together to have a good time.”

This year, athletes participated in the caber toss, sheaf toss, braemar and open stone competitions, weight over bar, heavy- and light-weight distance throws.

The competition was split into Amateur, Amateur A, Lightweight, Masters 40-49, Masters 40-49 under 200 and Women categories.

In the Amateur division, Stephen Byrd and Chuck McClain tied for first place with 11.5 and 9 game points respectively. Daniel Parks took second place with 22.5 game points, and Luis Yoder placed third with 25.5 game points.

In the Amateur A division, Danny Autrey placed first with 17.5 games points; Robert Moody placed second with 18 points and Christopher Carr placed third with 18.5 game points.

Chris Moore placed first in the Lightweight category with 14 game points, followed by Nelson Alger in second place with 15 game points and Justin Mattson in third place with 25 game points.

In the Masters 40-49 division, Chris Moore and Chuck McClain tied for first place with 14 and 9 game points, respectively. Justin Mattson placed third in the division with 25 points. Additionally, Moore and Mattson placed first and third in the Masters 40-49 under 200 division.

Gabriella Rinehart took first place in the women’s division with 14 game points. Morgan Ashcraft followed in second place with 20 points and Heather McKenzie placed third with 21 points.

To see the full results list, visit www.nasgaweb.com/dbase/results2.asp.

For more information, visit kachemakbayscottishclub.org.

Reach Sarah Knapp at sarah.knapp@homernews.com.

The 2021 Kachemak Bay Highland Games offered activities for children, including a miniture caber toss. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

An athlete competes in the women’s heavy weight competition at the 2021 Kachemak Bay Highland Games on Saturday, July 3. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)