Scotland Strongman: 6 of the Best

Scotland can trace their strongman roots all the way back to the highland games. A range of events such as the caber toss and stone put has unearthed many fine strongman talents. With the rise of strongman in recent years, Scotland is becoming more known as one of the top countries.

Here is 6 of the top Scottish strongman competitors that has been seen in the strongman circuit.

Ian “The Highlander” Murray

Ian Murray originally from Castlepark, was the face of the early years of Scotland’s Strongest Man from its inception in 1987 to 1989 then again in 1991. He traveled the world representing Scotland and Great Britain and was ranked in the top 10 Worlds Strongest men in his competing days.

He dominated Scottish Strength for over half a decade un-beaten that gained a lot of attention. A regular in the Highland Games events, with some in front of Queen Elizabeth II. Murray managed to hold his own with opponents such as Jón Páll Sigmarsson and Bill Kazmier.

Murray also held wins in Olympic weightlifting setting 9 Scottish Records and 6 British Records. Ian was awarded the Silver Star of Sport for Scotland’s Sportsman of the Year for his achievements in Sport.

He also was an extra in a film along side Michael Cain and Roger Moore.

Forbes Cowan

Born 16th October 1964 in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Forbes had many wins in Scotland’s Strongest Man. Cowan came 1st place 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2003 as well as two 1st place positions for Britain’s strongest man in 1993 and 1994.

He was a consistent competitor, placing himself in the top five in major international competitions. One of his greatest achievements abroad was the Europe’s strongest man in 1991. Cowan is probably best known for his time in the World’s Strongest Man competitions in 1994 and 1996, coming in 5th place in both.

Cowan was renowned Highland Games competitor excelling in the caber toss. His consistency in the games assured his places in the world rankings.

Outside of strongman, he was an extra in the blockbuster film Gladiator (2000) working as a stuntman. Now he works as an official for the sport.

Jamie Barr

Jamie Barr, Winner of Scotland’s Strongest Man 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001 then a return in 2006 where he claimed another first place victory.

Self confessed of originally taking up the sport for fun with friends went on to find his natural talent would earn him a legendary place in the history books of Scottish Strength.

In 1995 Britain’s Strongest Man, he was expected to win. When tackling the McGlashen Stones the third fell on Barr’s knee severely injuring him. He had to take time out of the sport, as doctors said he would never walk again. Being as strong willed as strong physically he found his way back to strongman after 3 years.

During this period of absence is where he got his tattoo after researching about ancient Scotland Heritage.

Chris Innes

Chris Innes won first place from 2007 straight through to 2010. In 2007 he found himself the youngest ever winner of the title at just 21 years old.

True talent for Chris was in his stone lifting, finishing the stones event in 2007 which he did not need to do, as he already had a 13 point lead. He however still finished all 6 lifting the last 160KG stone over his head.

Luke “The Highland Oak” Stoltman

Born 22nd November 1984 Luke dominated the title of Scotland’s Strongest Man 2013 – 2017 moving on to success in Britain’s & Europe’s Strongest man where he recently got first place in 2021.

Luke went from strength to strength, moving onto worlds strongest man first qualifying in 2016. He managed to gain second place in 2019 World’s Ultimate Strongman.

Prior to his strongman career Luke worked offshore finding it hard to balance training and work. His gamble of giving up his career offshore paid off becoming a full time world renowned strongman.

Luke Tom and Harry Stoltman have set out to revive many of the Scottish strength traditions in the country they are fiercely proud to call home. They are big advocates of the Wm Hoff Method, spreading awareness of the sport. The Stoltmans opened their own Stoltman Strength Center in their hometown of Invergordon where Luke set Britain’s log press record in 2020.

Tom “The Albatross” Stoltman

Tom started his professional journey placing second in 2015 Scotland’s Strongest Man, moving on to second the next 2 years until winning first place in 2018 and 2019.

The Albatross then went on to win Britain’s strongest man 2021 and 2022 as well as placing first place in 2021 Worlds Strongest Man after second place in 2020. A historical moment for the country as being the first Scot to ever win the title at Worlds.

Tom also has a second nickname of King Of The Stones because of his speed and fluidity in the event.

At the age of 5 Tom was diagnosed with Autism and found his quality of life greatly improved when following his brother Luke’s footsteps by walking into the gym. He focused so much on training he feels his autism has been a self proclaimed super power. His mindset has influenced others with autism around the country as an inspiration.