Our Deputy Clan Commissioner for Australasia, Craig Carrothers Monument, is getting quite a name for himself on the Highland games circuit in Australia. He proudly competes in the Carruthers tartan, which is a lovely sight to see.
To the left is Craig with his lovely wife Liz our Regional Secretary, again resplendent in the family tartan.
Q: When did you start Highland Games?
A: I started doing “backyard games” during covid, in the winter of 2020. My very first real-life competition was the Melbourne Highland Games in 2022. We now have two or three training sessions a year with our coaches, but most of my practice is done in the back yard!
Q: I believe it’s a family affair?
A: Yes, my daughter Kristie is a junior. There are only a few juniors in Australia, and Kristie currently is the only girl. She started in 2023, but because of the lack of similar participants, she often has to compete in the ladies’ open class. Kristie is quite competitive and has enjoyed increasing her weights and distances.
Q: Where have you competed?
We only do Victoria-based games because Australia is huge, so the travel is considerable. Our own state is as big as the whole of the UK – you can imagine the vast distances of travel required if we go out of state.
This year, on Jan 1st, I attended the Maryborough Highland Games. This is Australia’s longest running sporting event, which is now in its 161st year. We also attend the Melbourne Highland Games in March of this year, the National Celtic Festival at Portarlington in June, and Kryal Castle Highland Spectacular in September. The events are real crowd-pullers so we try to put a real show on. The audience wants to see cabers being tossed rather than competitors failing to lift and throw them, so there’s a certain amount of showmanship involved, although of course the weights are genuinely heavy!
Q: I believe you’re progressively pushing yourself and improving in your chosen categories?
A: Yes – I came 4th in the Masters class at Melbourne in 2023; second at the 2023 Kryal Castle event, winning the caber round; 3rd in the open caber at Maryborough 2024, and 6th overall in the open class.
Q: That really is a great record in only 4 years – where are your sights set?
A: Thank you! So far, I’ve beaten all the other over 50’s that I’ve competed against. I suppose my goal would be to compete in the Nationals, in an over 50’s class, to see just how well I go. However, the most important part about being involved in the Highland Games circuit is the fun we have, the friends we make, and of course competing in the events, which hopefully really entertain the crowd.
Q: The Carruthers tartan is being well displayed during your efforts, and thank you for that.
A: We’re proud to wear it! It’s all part of the bigger picture for those who come to enjoy the Games. We’re often asked about the history of the tartan, so we get plenty of chance to spread the word and explain how our traditions have come into being.
Q: What is your preferred event, and are there others you compete in?
A: There are 8 events, I believe, in Highland Games.
- We compete in two stone throwing events and throw single handed similar to the Olympic shot put. The stones were traditionally sought from a nearby river ahead of the event. Braemar Stone (which is from a ‘put’, standing position only), and Open Stone, which is often heavier than the Braemar, but with this second one you can move. Some glide, some even spin; others like me just ‘put’ it like the Braemar.
- Then we have two weights for distance events. The weight hangs off a short 3-6” chain with a handle to hold. The light weight is 28lbs, and the heavy weight is 56lb in the open class but only 42lb in the masters’ class. The competitors have many different techniques of throwing depending on their strength and skill, but always throw holding the weight from a single hand only.
- Next come two hammer events. These are heavy balls attached to long sticks about 4’10” long. The hammer is twirled about the head, in a static stance and thrown backwards over your shoulder. Traditionally used in battle to kill and maim, this is a very dangerous event, with hammer distances often exceeding 100’, so only happens if we have an arena with enough area to keep the spectators safe. The light hammer is 16lb and the heavy hammer is 22lb.
- A crowd favourite is next: Caber, often, there are a pair of cabers to throw. First is the ‘qualifying’ caber. It is shorter and lighter than the ‘challenge caber’. If you are good enough to turn the qualifier in your 3 attempts, then you move on to the challenge caber, again with 3 attempts. The aim of the caber is to pick it up from the narrow end and hold it in two hands, bracing against your shoulder, run to build up speed (called the sprint) and then suddenly stop, pulling the bottom of the caber up as high as you can, using the momentum you’ve just built up to turn it end over end. The idea is to land it at 12 o’clock to your ‘pulling’ position. A 12 o’clock turn is a perfect score. You are judged on an imaginary clockface from 9 to 3 with the caber’s landing position being the clock score you get. Closer to 12 the better. If you do not turn the caber, your score is the maximum angle from 0-90 degrees you get the caber up to, before it falls back to the ground.
- Finally it’s weight over bar. From a standing stance, you take the weight you used in ‘heavy weight for distance’ and, using a single handed grip, try and throw it over a bar set at ever increasing heights. Like a high jump, you get 3 attempts to clear the height before being knocked out or progressing to the next height. Competitors are often exceeding 15’ and some 18’, which is huge!
My favourite varies to which event I’m doing well in! But I have fun just turning up and throwing with some very fine athletes. The camaraderie is wonderful.
Q: How is Kristie doing in her events? It was lovely to see her boyfriend in the Carruthers tartan at the wedding.
A: We were delighted that Quinn wore it! Kristie’s favourite event is stone lifting, which is not strictly a Highland Games event, but very much enjoyed by the crowd. Kristie is capable of lifting stones well above her body weight and placing them on the old whisky barrels provided, which are almost as tall as she is.
Kristie came third out of seven ladies in the stone race at Maryborough this year which is an incredible achievement. As for her boyfriend, if he’s going to hang out with our family, he best do it in our tartan – which he actually enjoys! The thing is, he wears it so well and with his dark locks flowing in the wind, looks like an extra from Outlander.
Q: We know Lizzie, your good lady wife and our Regional Secretary, is a competent harpist, just one of her many talents, but you are also a fiddle player – did you guys start at the same time?
A: I’ve been playing fiddle since I was 9 but have only recently started playing with my wife, who is considerably more professional, talented, and polished than an old folkie like me. But its great fun playing with Lizzie, even though I’m not in her league, especially when I forget the tunes or play on the wrong string!
She’s very forgiving. (Lizzie adds here: ‘I’m only the accompanist. If Craig starts in the wrong key, the wrong time, or sets off with the wrong tune, it’s still my fault… seriously though, joking aside, it’s huge fun!’)
Q: Tell us about what you do when you aren’t training or competing?
A: I’m a Program Manager at the local University Hospital and I’m enjoying Australia very much.
- I’ve been a member of the local “aussie rules” footy club since I arrived and hardly miss a home game;
- I referee rugby all year round, touch rugby in the summer and union in the winter;
- I still brew hand-drawn, real ales – showing the Aussies what proper beer looks and tastes like – and my Aussie friends enjoy it!
- I coach both kids at our local strongman gym;
- In the warmer months, Lizzie and I enjoy visiting the wonderful choice of wineries in our region, or trying a new eatery.
We’ve never regretted our move Down Under, and we’re proud to continue to represent Carruthers here both as Deputy Commissioner and my wife Lizzie as Regional Secretary.
Craig, thank you for this, it is nice that our family worldwide appreciate the works folks do to promote our name and through the sterling work you guys are doing, it remains alive and well in your region, and we thank you for that.
Thank you George, it is our pleasure.
