It may have begun in the Scottish Highlands a long time ago when the forest was cleared to make fields. Small streams ran through the area and in order to cross these streams without getting their feet wet, the men would cut a tree and toss it end over end, hoping it would land with one end on each bank. This tree would then be used as a bridge to cross over the stream. Those who could not toss their caber perfectly had to work with wet feet all day which created a real incentive to perfecting the art of tossing the caber correctly the first time. The modern caber toss measures strength, accuracy and skill.
Distance has no bearing on the outcome of the event at all.
Three tosses are allowed and all three are scored to determine the winner. The hammer throw was started by the local blacksmiths in Scotland. Once a test of skill and strength, it developed into a contest of distance and accuracy. Similar to horse shoes, points are awarded for hitting the peg or landing close. This event is a popular test of strength and skill.