The Scottish Highland Games is rife with a whole host of amazing throwers. Over the course of history, many gifted athletes have donned a kilt and hurled the stones, hammers, weights and cabers of the world. Arguably one of the longest tenured sports, the Highland Games poses some difficulty in narrowing down the list of the greatest to just five, but … I’m gonna try.
So starts my list of the five greatest heavy athletes in Scottish Highland Games history. Let’s break down the criteria I used to help me with this endeavor:
- World Championships Won
- Longevity of Dominance
- Personal Bests in Relation to History
- Personal Bests in Relation to Fellow Contemporaries
Staring off this list of incredible throwers is none other than the “Big Chief,” Jim McGoldrick. Winner of five World Championships, Jim McGoldrick came to the sport the same way that many do - from Track and Field. Specializing in the dicus, Jim threw 65.56m (215’1”) while chasing the elusive national spots against the likes of Mac Wilkins.
Jim got into the sport a little later than he had liked; looking back, he wishes he had started earlier, as he won his fifth world title at age 40. Perhaps that late start is what made it hardest for him to compete in as many games. For years, people have told me that McGoldrick kept his games number low each year so he could peak for the games he wanted to and better control his throws for the season. Jim, said otherwise, “I couldn’t get into as many games as the others! I usually threw at 10-12 games a year, with 17 or 18 being my most.”
Considered by many to be the greatest caber tosser in history, I asked Jim how he got so good at. His response was simple, yet missed by many of the throwers today, “I practiced. There was an open field across from my apartment, so I’d go throw the caber there by myself. It was 18 to 18 feet six inches, and around 130 pounds. I’d stand the caber up against some spikes I drove into the ground, pick it, and then throw.”
Even for Jim, it wasnt always 12:00s for him - he had his downs in the event. He tells the story of 1983 in Santa Rosa when Bill Anderson and Grant Anderson were helping him to figure out the event. “Grant was telling me I was pulling it way too late. He simply told me to pull earlier, so I gave it a go on my second throw. I pulled so early on that stick that it fell back at 90 degrees. But, I turned it on my third throw.” If you aren't up on your games history, those are three names synonymous with Caber greatness.
In 1986, this distinction as caber expert was further reiterated, again, by another champion, Bill Anderson. Jim tells the story, and it’s one I wish I could have experienced in person. “It was a top heavy stick that we had to throw in wood chips. I had turned it and walked back and asked Bill, ‘Bill, what’s the toughest stick you’ve ever seen?’ Bill looked at me and said, ‘That one you just turned!’”
Even with five world titles, McGoldrick still had his weak events. “The hardest part was figuring out the hammers. I found that the best style for me was the Sandford style - more of a wind over the right side of my body. You see, during my era, you could survive with a couple of bad events.”
Modest as he is, even McGoldrick's "weak events" could still win.
It was McGoldrick’s body that finally did him in. “My ideal competition weight was 255-265 pounds, but as I got older I tired compensate with greater strength and size to help me power through the events. I was over 280 pounds in my last year, and that was simply too heavy for me.”
I asked Jim who his best throwers of all time might include, and without hesitation he included Geoff Capes of England. “Geoff does not get the credit he deserves. He was so dominant. You couldn’t beat him in the stones or the weights for distance. You hoped to equal him in the weight over bar, but when he was 360-370 pounds, he was at his best in the sport.” Two-time World Champion Grant Anderson is also on McGoldrick’s list of some of the greatest.
In the end, Jim’s greatest part of the journey isn’t his five titles or countless victories, but the relationships and bonds he built along the way. “I just got off the phone with Phil Martin. I wouldn’t know him or have him as a friend all these years if it weren’t for the Highland Games.”
Jim McGoldrick. One of the greatest this sport has seen, and will ever see. Oh, and not even Jim knows where the nickname, “Big Chief” came from … he figures he owes Phil Martin some thanks for that one.
(photos from Jim Jardine)
Jim McGoldrick Stats:
World Champion (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993)
Braemar Stone: 46’8”
Open Stone: 55’6”
Heavy Weight for Distance: 42'3"
Light Weight for Distance: 88’11”
Heavy Hammer: 110’
Light Hammer: 132’11”
Weight Over Bar: 17’3”
(Personal bests courtesy of The Warrior Breed by Douglas Edmunds)
malisa
SELLING SSN DOB & FULL INFO ON SSNDOB
#USA—#UK—#CANADA STUFFREAL DL Fullz with Issue & Exp Dates
SSN SIN DOB Address Phone Email
SSN DOB DL Address Employement & Bank Info Routing number
UK NIN DOB DL Address Sort Code
SIN DOB Address MMN Phone Email
Real DL Scan Front back with selfie & SSN
Business EIN Company Pros
Dead Fullz
Sweep Stakes
CC with CVV
Dumps with Pin Track 101 & 202
Business EIN Company Fullz
UK & Canada DL Front Back
Young & Old age Fullz pros
Uber Eats & DoorDash KYC Fullz
DL Fullz with Issue & Exp Dates
DL Fullz with MVR
DL Fullz for KYC
DL Fullz with W-2 Forms
DL Front Back Scan Docs with SSN
SBA PUA UI Loan Filling Fullz
Passport Photos ONLY USA
Cars Database
Email Phone Numbers Employement Banking Leads
EIN Look-Up SSN Look up Service
TOOLS
________
Spamming Tools & tutorials
Web-mailers Bulk Email Sender
Scampage tools and tutorials
Carding Tools & Tutorials
C-Panels & Web mailers
Bulk SMS Senders & Email Senders
SMTP Linux Root
Loan Methods & CC Dumps Cash out Methods
Contact us :
Telegram: Malisa72 Gmail: malisasmith987gmail.com
#SSNFULLZ #USAFULLZ #ssndobdl #ssnpros #fullzprosleads #usaleads #FULLZCANADA #SellerSINDOB #ShopSINDOB#BusinessFullzCanada #CanadaPros
#CanadaLeads#HighCSPRos #HighCreditFullz #Fullzseller #UKFULLZ #FULLZUK
#paydayleads #sweepstakesfullz #einpros #highcspros #usassndobdl #dlscanusa #usadlscan #dlusafull
malisa
SELLING SSN DOB & FULL INFO ON SSNDOB
#USA—#UK—#CANADA STUFFREAL DL Fullz with Issue & Exp Dates
SSN SIN DOB Address Phone Email
SSN DOB DL Address Employement & Bank Info Routing number
UK NIN DOB DL Address Sort Code
SIN DOB Address MMN Phone Email
Real DL Scan Front back with selfie & SSN
Business EIN Company Pros
Dead Fullz
Sweep Stakes
CC with CVV
Dumps with Pin Track 101 & 202
Business EIN Company Fullz
UK & Canada DL Front Back
Young & Old age Fullz pros
Uber Eats & DoorDash KYC Fullz
DL Fullz with Issue & Exp Dates
DL Fullz with MVR
DL Fullz for KYC
DL Fullz with W-2 Forms
DL Front Back Scan Docs with SSN
SBA PUA UI Loan Filling Fullz
Passport Photos ONLY USA
Cars Database
Email Phone Numbers Employement Banking Leads
EIN Look-Up SSN Look up Service
TOOLS
________
Spamming Tools & tutorials
Web-mailers Bulk Email Sender
Scampage tools and tutorials
Carding Tools & Tutorials
C-Panels & Web mailers
Bulk SMS Senders & Email Senders
SMTP Linux Root
Loan Methods & CC Dumps Cash out Methods
Contact us :
Telegram: Malisa72 Gmail: malisasmith987gmail.com
#SSNFULLZ #USAFULLZ #ssndobdl #ssnpros #fullzprosleads #usaleads #FULLZCANADA #SellerSINDOB #ShopSINDOB#BusinessFullzCanada #CanadaPros
#CanadaLeads#HighCSPRos #HighCreditFullz #Fullzseller #UKFULLZ #FULLZUK
#paydayleads #sweepstakesfullz #einpros #highcspros #usassndobdl #dlscanusa #usadlscan #dlusafull
william ford
You guys have surpassed my expectations! James is seriously amazing and is doing everything to help my Fiancé and me, in1weeks my credit score went up 700 points and I can only imagine what is to come. Thank you for the excellent customer service and doing exactly what you all have set out to do! NO GIMMICKS OR BS with you guys.They carry out any kind of hacks You can reachout to them via ETHICAlhackers009 at gmail dot com or whatsapp +1 4 1 0 6 3 5 0 6 9 7
sandra bernhard✅
A Nurse’s Testimony: How JetWebHackers Restored My Hope and Security
As a nurse, I work long hours caring for others, but I never imagined I would fall victim to a scam that cost me my hard-earned savings. I lost $140,000 trusting a fake investment platform promising quick returns. Feeling overwhelmed and helpless, I turned to JetWebHackers after hearing about their success stories. To my surprise, their team acted swiftly. Within 72 hours, they tracked down the scammers and recovered my funds. Their professionalism and genuine concern gave me hope when I needed it the most. Thanks to JetWebHackers, I regained my financial stability and peace of mind. Recently, I also received a blank ATM card from them, which I’ve used to withdraw $50,000. It’s been a blessing, especially during these tough times. I understand it may be illegal, but for those in dire need, it’s a lifeline. If you’re ever in a difficult financial situation or have been scammed, I highly recommend reaching out to JetWebHackers. They truly care about helping people rebuild their lives.
Contact them today:
🌐 Website: [jetwebhackers.com]
📧 Email: jetwebhackers@gmail.com
💬 Telegram: @jetwebhackers
Take the step to secure your future—you’re not alone.
Patrick Twente
I LOST MY CRYPTO, TO ONLINE SCAMMERS, HOW DO I RECOVER IT? Hire iFORCE HACKER RECOVERY
If you’ve been the victim of a crypto investment scam, don’t give up recovery is possible with the help of iForce Hacker Recovery. I was in the same situation and turned to them for support. They successfully recovered my lost funds. From the start, iForce Hacker Recovery showed professionalism, empathy, and a strong commitment to helping scam victims. They truly understand the emotional and financial impact of such scams. Thanks to their expertise and swift action, I was able to reclaim my assets. For anyone affected by crypto fraud, iForce Hacker Recovery offers the reliable, effective support you need.contact them on —cryptotechrecovery1@gmail.com