Haggis hurling facts for kids

Haggis hurling is a fun and unique Scottish sport. It's all about throwing a haggis as far as you can! People usually stand on a platform, like a whisky barrel, to throw it. The goal is to throw it both far and accurately.

How Haggis Hurling Started

Even though some people might think haggis hurling is a really old sport, it's actually quite new! A man named Robin Dunseath invented it in 1977. He was a publicist for a Scottish businessman, Tom Farmer. Robin created the sport as a joke for a big event called the Gathering of the Clans in Edinburgh.

Later, he started using it to raise money for charity at traditional Highland games. It even appeared on a TV show called That's Life!, which helped many people realize it was a playful invention.

Over time, two main types of haggis hurling developed:

• One is played at festivals, mostly for fun.
• The other is a more serious, professional sport.

World Records in Haggis Hurling

The current world record for throwing a haggis was set by Lorne Coltart. In 2011, he threw a haggis an amazing 217 feet at the Milngavie Highland Games! This beat the old record of 180 feet, which had been held by Allan Pettigrew for over twenty years. There's also a story that an Australian cricket player named Tom Moody threw a haggis over 230 feet back in 1989.

The Art of Hurling a Haggis

Haggis hurling isn't just about throwing with all your might. It needs a special technique! Judges look at how far you throw it and how accurate your throw is. But here's the tricky part: the haggis must land gently. If it splits or bursts open, it's immediately disqualified! This is because the haggis needs to be good enough to eat after it lands. So, it's more about skill than just brute strength.

There was once a discussion about using fake haggis in a competition in Melbourne. Some people didn't like this idea because they wanted to keep the tradition alive. Others worried about the mess a real haggis might make if it hit the ground too hard!

Rules for Haggis Hurling

To make sure the sport is fair, there are clear rules about the haggis itself and how it's thrown.

What is a Haggis?

The haggis used in the sport must be made in the traditional way. It's a mix of a sheep's heart, lungs, and liver, along with spices, onions, suet (a type of fat), and oatmeal. All of this is stuffed into a sheep's stomach and boiled for about three hours.

Before the competition, the haggis needs to be cooled down. Officials also check it carefully to make sure no special firming agents have been added. The rules say the haggis must be packed tightly and securely, with no extra loose "skin" or "flab."

Haggis Weight and Size

There are different weight categories for the haggis:

• Sporting Haggis: This is the standard weight for most events. It weighs 500 grams (about 1.1 pounds). It can be up to 18 cm (about 7 inches) wide and 22 cm (about 8.7 inches) long. A small difference of plus or minus 30 grams is allowed. This weight is used for both junior (younger) and middleweight events.
• Heavyweight Haggis: For this event, the haggis can weigh up to 1 kilogram (about 2.2 pounds). However, the usual weight is 850 grams (about 1.87 pounds), with a small difference of plus or minus 50 grams allowed.

Haggis Hurling Events

Haggis hurling is a global sport, with championships held in different places.

World Championship

Yes, there is a World Haggis Hurling Championship! The current world champion is Darren Laird, who comes from Bo'ness, near Falkirk in Scotland.

Canadian Championship

Canada also hosts a big haggis hurling event: the Canadian Haggis Hurling Championship! It takes place in Perth, Ontario. This event is held at the same time as the Perth World Record Kilt Run.

The Canadian event in Perth is thought to be the largest competition in the world. In 2013, over 140 people competed. In 2014, a huge 571 hurlers signed up! They even use special laser equipment to measure the throws accurately in the finals.