SAS emergency responder from Orkney set to represent Scotland at UK strongman competition

An SAS emergency responder has been selected to represent Scotland at one of the UK’s most competitive strongman competitions.

Calum Elder, based out of Kirkwall Ambulance station, will represent Scotland at the UK and Ireland Strongest Natural competition in May.

The 38-year-old qualified as a technician in 2022, but has been competing in strongman competitions for the past several years on a part-time basis.

During that time, he has lifted several Scottish Manhood Stones – including the Saddlin’ Mare (99kg); Dalwhinnie (102kg); Newtonmore stones (101kg) and the famous Dinnie Stones, weighing a combined 332kg.

After finishing third in his first ever national competition earlier this year, Calum has now been selected to represent Scotland at one of the largest Strongman competitions.

Calum, pictured with his son Calum jr, is a responder in Kirkwall. Scottish Ambulance Service via Supplied

He said: “I was absolutely delighted to come away with a third place finish out of a field of the nation’s strongest natural strongmen earlier in the year. The podium finish meant that I qualified to represent Scotland at the UK and Ireland’s Strongest Natural, set to be held in Preston in May.”

Calum has admitted it can be difficult splitting his time as a responder and a strongman – especially when it comes to training.

He added: “Quite often I have to train after my shift finishes at 7pm, travelling half an hour each way to train. It’s then a case of eating and hitting the hay to start another shift at 7am.

“My colleagues are all very supportive and are very interested to see how I get on at comps.

“Very kindly, one of the local butchers has given me a yearly meat allowance, which helps massively with the food bills and getting in top quality nutrition.

“I am currently looking for any sponsorship support I can get to aid in the costs of travelling and sourcing new equipment.

“As I don’t have the backing of a sports club or federation in Orkney, it’s currently coming out of my own pocket. This forces me to be quite selective in which comps I enter.”

Calum got into strongman, which involves competitors trying to lift excessive weights to determine who is the strongest, after being inspired by a social media advertisement from a strongman named Rhino.

After sending him a message, Calum was invited to attend a session. Then in 2020, his first year of competing, he entered John O’ Groat’s Strongest Man, and ended up beating his mentor.

Calum added: “Rhino was testing the water slightly and threw me in at the deep end to try out the log lift.

“While I was not lifting anywhere near what the regulars do, I really enjoyed giving it a shot. It inspired me to get into it seriously and train for competitions.”