Heavies throw weight behind stone classic
More than 150 years since legendary Donald Dinnie carried two huge lumps of granite weighing a total of 52 stone across a bridge in Royal Deeside, strongmen from around the globe will attempt to emulate his feat.
To honour the 1860 achivement, the Dinnie Stones will be carried the 15ft width of Potarch Bridge at the entrance to the Ballogie Estate between Aboyne and Banchory, Aberdeenshire.
Powerlifter Stevie Shanks is helping to organise the Dinnie Stones Gathering, having followed in his father Jack’s footsteps more than 40 years on by lifting the stones.
The duo can claim to be the only father and son pairing to match the feat of Donald and his dad Robert, and therefore know how gruelling August’s event will be for competitors.
Not least because the stones are actually different weights – one is 29.5 stone while the other is 22.5.
Stevie, from Belfast, said: “It is a really awkward lifting position because they are different weights, heights and thicknesses of rings. It is not like lifting a bar bell. There is a fair bit of technique involved.
“The last time I lifted the stones was in February. I am only 11 stone and for me that is five times my body weight. Once you get them off the ground then your grip becomes an issue.
“It was a pretty big deal for me because I had promised my dad I would 44 years ago.”
The full list of competitors has not been finalised, but Stevie said: “There are 49 guys who have lifted the stones and we thought it would be nice to get them together. I have contacted pretty much everybody and have had a good response.”
In the 1830s, iron rings were attached to the stones so they could act as counterweights for maintenance of the bridge.
Stevie’s big test.
Stevie follows in dad Jack’s footsteps; right, Donald Dinnie. display of strength. Preserving the cultural heritage of the estate is something we feel very strongly about but it is also important to celebrate the existence of the stones and what they stand for.”
Throughout the year, the estate is happy for people to try to lift the stones and rules have been developed to govern these attempts.
Only bare hands can be used and straps are banned. A month’s notice must also be given to the estate, whose representatives make sure that the lift is clean and there is beneath the