Big Jock
By Jason Ubych
John MacLellan or “Big Jock”, pictured throwing the hammer, was the youngest of 13 children. His father was a ploughman on Wilkhaven & Bindal Farms on the Easter Ross Peninsula and later at Rhives Farm near Delny. In his childhood, he and his brothers would gather the cockles and whelks off the beach below the farm and the seagull's eggs on the nearby cliffs were fair game to the hungry loons.
Money was a scarce commodity. Highland Games prize money was a welcome source of valuable cash for young Jock who started competing in 1935. He went on to hold the World Records for the light (16lb) and the heavy (22lb) hammers which he held for some 20 years. He also won the 1st official Scottish Heavy Events title at Crieff in 1955. Jock continued to compete successfully until 1965.
Image provided by Tain & District Museum
John MacLellan, "Big Jock", competing in a traditional hammer throw event.
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