⚔️ Scottish Tradition · 🤝 Honor & Respect · 🏆 Fierce Competition
Experience one of Scotland's oldest martial arts. Backhold wrestling has been practiced for over 2,000 years—a test of strength, balance, and pure grit!
An ancient Scottish and Celtic grappling tradition dating back over 2,000 years to the Viking age
Backhold wrestling (also called Scottish Backhold or Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling) is a form of jacket wrestling where competitors must maintain a specific hold throughout the match.
Each wrestler places their chin on their opponent's right shoulder, with their left arm over their opponent's right arm and their right arm under the opponent's left arm. Hands are clasped or gripped behind the opponent's back. This grip must be maintained throughout the entire match—break the hold, and you lose!
This wrestling style was brought to Scotland and Northern England by Viking settlers. It was used both for entertainment and to settle disputes without weapons. Warriors trained in backhold wrestling to develop balance, core strength, and grappling skills.
Unlike modern wrestling, backhold requires you to maintain constant physical contact while using throws, lifts, and body positioning to defeat your opponent. It's chess with muscles!
How backhold wrestling unfolds at Scotfest
Competitors are divided into weight classes to ensure fair matches:
Lightweight
Under 165 lbs
Middleweight
165-190 lbs
Light Heavyweight
190-220 lbs
Heavyweight
Over 220 lbs
Single elimination bracket within each weight class:
Preliminary Rounds
First day—whittle down to finalists
Semi-Finals
Top 4 in each class compete
Championship Finals
Crown the weight class champions
Overall Champion
Weight class winners compete for grand title
Matches continue until one wrestler wins 2 out of 3 falls—no time limits!
Open to all skill levels from beginners to seasoned veterans
Medals for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in each weight class plus Overall Champion
Backhold wrestling is a thrilling display of strength, technique, and warrior spirit. Watch athletes carry on a 2,000-year tradition at Scotfest!