Haggis, the national food of Scotland. Most of us love to indulge in haggis, neeps and tatties, making for one of the best dinner plans ever. However, haggis also strongly features in a highly competitive sport that is haggis hurling. Forget golf (which was also invented in Scotland, duh), let’s go throw some stuffed sheep stomachs, eh!
What is haggis hurling?
Haggis hurling is essentially throwing a ball of haggis as far as one can. Lorne Coltart holds the current world record for the sport at 217 feet (66 metres) from the Milngavie Highland Games in 2011.
There are now two different types of haggis hurling – one played at various festivals with the fam, and the very serious, very professional haggis hurling with strict rules. It is not just about the distance of the throw, but also about the accuracy and if the haggis bursts open or stays intact. Of course, the more intact the haggis, the better.
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Credit: chappyvandweller
As a result, hurlers have to develop a tactic based on gentleness instead of force. Anyone can throw a ball far, but can you land a haggis as far as possible and as gently as if gravity did not exist? Of course, when it does split, the mess is… well, let’s just say it’s not the prettiest of sports.
A brief history
Unsurprisingly, the sport was introduced as a joke at the 1977 Gathering of the Clans in Edinburgh, naming it as the “ancient sport”, and using it to help raise money for charity. And, of course, it soon became an actual sport!
The rules of haggis hurling
Credit: fundingneuro
First of all, it’s all about the recipe. Only the traditional recipe is allowed, consisting of boiled sheep’s heart, lung and liver with spices, onions, suet, oatmeal and stock, all stuffed in a sheep’s paunch and boiled for three hours.
The haggis must be cool for hurling and thoroughly inspected no foul play was used, such as firming agents.
The tightly packed haggis should not weigh more than 500 grams and be no longer than 22cm with a diameter of 18cm.
There is also a heavyweight category, with the haggis weighing no more than 1kg.