Sheaf Tossing

When we went to the Saint Louis International Festival last Saturday, one of the things that we saw there were the Scottish games. The picture with this post shows the Scottish game of sheaf tossing. In this game the participant tosses a sixteen pound “simulated” sheaf, with a special pitchfork over a pole vaulting stand. Instead of a sheaf of hay or wheat, the simulated sheaf is made of cloth. This makes it more durable. While we were watching this tossing, the bar was inching ever further north of eighteen feet, as one contestant after another bested the previous player’s tossed height. While we were standing around, one curious and IMHO impertinent woman asked one of these kilted gentlemen, “What do you wear under your kilt?” His answer was both quick and concise, “My shoes.” I thought that that answered the question on all levels. Anne wondered how much the kilts must weigh. With all of those pleats, a lot of wool goes into the making of each kilt. On a related note, my favorite beer while visiting Seattle was the Scottish style Pike Kilt Lifter ruby ale. It has a sweet taste.

Bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing,
Bringing in the sheaves