Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Alternative Sport > Will you be crowned an old tosser at the World Stone Skimming Championships?

Will you be crowned an old tosser at the World Stone Skimming Championships?

By Caroline King - September 17, 2013Posted in : Alternative Sport, FEATURED-STORIES

World Stone Skimming Championships - Easdale Island - Photo: Laura McMahon When: 29th September 2013 from 12 noon

Where: Easdale Island, near Oban in Argyll, Scotland

£: Entrance fees for adults (16 and over) £4, old tossers (60 and over) £3, juniors (10-15 years) £2 and under 10s £1

What is it?

The World Stone Skimming Championships were first held in 1983 but have only been resurrected as a regular event since 1997.  The championships are now held annually on the last Sunday in September.

The championships are held on Easdale Island, which is the smallest permanently inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides.  Once the centre of a thriving Scottish slate mining industry, the World Stone Skimming Championships use one of the disused quarries as an arena for the games.  The skimming stones used in the championships are formed naturally of the Easdale slate.

The skimming rules are quite simply.  To qualify, the stone must bounce no less than 3 times and stay within the designated lane as marked by the buoys.  Skims are judged on the distance thrown rather than the number of bounces.  Each competitor is allowed 3 skims using specially selected Easdale slate skimming stones.

Anyone of any age and any level of skill can enter.  Competitors come from all over the world to take part and the championships now attract over 300 participants as well as many spectators.

The World Stone Skimming Cup is presented to the over-all winner, and the Sea-fari Salver for the best women’s skim and The Puffer Trophy for the winning team.  There are also slate medals for the best junior skim and runners-up in each category.  The Bertie, named after the event’s founder, is presented to the Easdale Islander who skims the furthest and The Old Tosser Walking Stick is awarded to contestants over 60 years old with the longest skim.

More info: www.stoneskimming.com

Related Posts

  • Golden Spurtle Porridge Championships make a stir in the Highlands
  • Cold weather? Warm up with the Chilli Fest!
  • Axe throwing, a woodland orchestra and a chainsaw carving competition in Scotland
  • Throw yourself into the All England Stone Skimming Championships in Cumbria

Tagged With: Argyll events, Family events, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, World Stone Skimming Championships

Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

HandleBards hit the pedals again to bring you a summer of outdoor theatre
HandleBards A Midsummer Night's Dream ©Rah Petherbridge Photography

The HandleBards are a Shakespearean troupe who tour by bike. And to celebrate their 10th anniversary, they’re climbing back into the saddle…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 · Contrary Life