By Ross Engel –
For the past six years, I have been competing in the Scottish Highland Games. I have grown to really love the sport. There is just something great about being able to put on a kilt, pick up heavy stuff, and throw it as far as possible. Of course, there is more to the sport than just strength; it does take a bit of technique to pick up a telephone pole-sized tree and flip it end over end. In between throwing heavy stuff, most of the veteran athletes congregate together, sitting in the shade (if there is any), cheering on the other guys, and passing around some of Scotland’s national beverage while waiting for our turn to throw again. Sometimes we’ll be close enough to watch the sheepdog demonstrations that seem to go with every Celtic festival.