Dinnie Stones
List of Known Successful Lifts.
Weighed by David Webster in 1956 at 435-lbs (197-kgs) & 340-lbs (155-kgs) Total = 775-lbs (352-kgs) (6.92-cwt)
Weighed by Gordon Dinnie in 1998 at 413-lbs ( 187-kgs) & 321-lbs (146-kgs) Total = 734-lbs (333-kgs) (6.55-cwt)
Last update - 12 March 2008.
Donald Dinnie - Bridge of Potarch - 1860
Height - 6'1" (1.85m)
Weight - 15 st. (210-lbs) (95.1-kgs)
Age - 23
Unassisted lift & carried stones 17'1", the width of the bridge
Residence - Wood Cottage, Birse, Aberdeenshire
Dave Prowse - At Potarch - 1964
Height - 6'7" (2.01m)
Weight - 19 st. (266-lbs) (120.7-kgs)
Age - 29
Strap grip assisted lift (5 lifts)
Residence - Bristol, England
David is the tallest lifter to date
David is well known for his TV Commecials & Film Roles. He travelled the world for 15 years promoting Road Safety to schools as the 'Green X Man' and his famed for his role as 'Darth Vader' in 'Star War Films'. He was also the personal trainer to Christopher Reeves during his Superman Films.
Bill Bangert - At Bridge of Potarch - 13th June 1971
Height - 6'3" (1.91m)
Weight - 20 st. (280-lbs) (127-kgs)
Age - 50
Harness & rig assisted lift & shuffled walk carrying the stones the width of bridge and back in 23 seconds
Residence - St Charles, Missouri, USA.
Syd Strachan - At Potarch -13th June 1971 & 3rd June 1973
Height - 6' (1.83m)
Weight - 1971 - 14 st. (196-lbs) (88.9-kgs) & 1973 - 15 st. (210-lbs) (95.3-kgs)
Age - 31 & 33
1971 he used Bill Bangert's Harness and carried the stone accross the bridge and back in 23 seconds & 1973 Strap grip assisted lift
Residence - Banchory, Aberdeenshire
Imlach Shearer - At Potarch - 4th November 1971 & 1973
Height - 5'9" (1.75m)
Weight - 14 st. (196-lbs) (88.9-kgs)
Age - 25
Strap grip assisted (10 lifts) & unassited lift
Residence - Buckie, Banff
1971 Lift - Imlach wore Donald Dinnie's silver presentation belt, and the 1974 unassisted lift was witnessed by Gordon Forbes, a Highland Games Athlete from Fife
Jack Shanks - At Potarch - 8th May 1972 & 3rd June 1973
Height - 5'10" (1.78m)
Weight - 11 st. 7-lbs. (161-lbs) (73-kgs)
Age - 37 & 38
1972 - 4 unassisted lifts, plus a trial lift the evening before
Residence - Belfast, Northern Ireland
1973 - Unassisted lifts, series of 15 lifts covering 17'1", the equivalent to the width of bridge on the top of a flatbed lorry
Jim Splaine - Photographed 5 times lifting the Dinnie Stones between 1973 & 1990
Photo No.1 - Potarch - Summer 1973 - 2 lifts, witnessed by family & friends
Photo No.2 - Potarch - 18th February 1974 - 2 lifts, witnessed by Syd Stachan & Press
Photo No.3 - Potarch - 15th March 1975 - 4 lifts & 3 lifts with son James on his shoulders - witnessed by P&J Evening Express
Photo No.4 - Potarch - 28th October 1989 - 4 lifts & walked 23 paces with smaller stone with unassited right hand grip
Photo No.5 - James Dun's House - 19th December 1990 - 3 lifts - at a Celebration of Local Heroes, covered by BBC, Grampian TV & Aberdeen Press
Height - 5'11" (1.80m)
Weight - 1973 - 10 st. 4-lbs. (144-lbs) (65.3-kgs) & 1990 - 12st (168-lbs) (76.2-kgs)
Age - 27 to 45
Unassisted lifts
Residence - Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
Jim has recorded a total of 64 lifts between the years 1973 - 1990 and is undoubtedly the most successful and lightest lifter to date
Calum Morrison - At Ballater Square, 13th August 1995. - Aboyne Games, 2nd August 1997. - Potarch, 2000. - Duthie Park, Aberdeen, 2002. - Potarch, 19th January 2008
Height 6'1" (1.85m)
Weight 23 st. (322-lbs) (146.1-kgs) - 2008 24st. (336-lbs) (152-kgs)
Age - 32, 34, 37, 39, & 44
Strap grip assisted lifts as shown below
Residence - Dinnet, Aboyne
1995 - Single lift of stones, then one with additional 2 x 56-lb weights, (Claim currently under examination by one with 4 x 56-lb weights), weighing 775-lbs, 887-lbs (and 999-lbs) respectively
1997 - At Aboyne Games, lift & 2ft walk.
2000 - 7 lifts at Potarch.
2002 - 1 lift and 5 ft walk.
2008 - 2 lifts
Will Willson - At Ballater Square, 13th August & Potarch September 1995
Height 6' (1.83m)
Weight 16 st.8-lbs (232-lbs) (105-kgs)
Age - 39
Strap assisted lifts as shown below
Residence - Bedale, North Yorkshire.
1995 - Ballater - lift of stones, then one with additional 2 x 56-lb weights, weighing 775-lbs & 887-Lbs.
1995 - Potarch - Several lifts witnessed by Graham Brown, Mrs Willson and spectators
Unknown Athlete - At The Aboyne Games - 3rd August 1996
Height - 0'0" (0.00m)
Weight 00st. 00-lbs (000-lbs) (000.0-kgs)
Age - 00
1 Lift
Residence - ????
Photographed by Gordon Dinnie
Frank Ciavattone - At Potarch - 24th September 1996
Height - 6' (1.83m)
Weight - 19 st. 7-lbs. (273-lbs) (123.8-kgs)
Age - 42
Unassisted lift
Residence - Walpole, Massachusetts, USA
Unassisted lift was witnessed by Willy Wright, Andy Tomlin & Agnes Mcnineny, weightlifting referees, plus a busload of spectators. The record was endorsed, ratified, and a certificate issued & signed by Frank J. Allen of the International All-Round Weightlifting Association dated 1st December 1996, and shown on the right
Nick McKinless - At Potarch - 4th April 1998
Height - 6'1" (1.85m)
Weight - 14 st. 4-lbs. (200-lbs) (90.7-kgs)
Age - 27
Unassisted lift
Residence - Cheltenham, England
Unassisted lift was witnessed by David Webster & Gordon Dinnie
David Horne - At Potarch - 5th April 1998
Height - 6'2" (1.88m)
Weight - 15 st. (210-lbs) (96.3-kgs)
Age - 36
Unassisted lift
Residence - Stafford
2 Unassisted lifts was witnessed by David Webster & Gordon Dinnie
Clive Williams - At Potarch - 12th November 2000
Height - 5'8" (1.73m)
Weight - 15 st. 7-lbs. (217-lbs) (98-kgs)
Age - 56 - The oldest lifter to date
3 Unassisted lifts & 2 Strap Assisted Lifts
Residence - Dingwall
Clive represented Britain in the 1999 Power Lifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa. His 5 lifts were witnessed by George Baxter Smith & Primrose Clark from Strathpeffer, David Somerville from Abriachan, Inverness & Eddie Garden from Dingwall, plus Potarch Hotel staff. Final 2 lifts were photographed and reported by The Deeside Piper and published on 24th November 2000 in their Edition No.818. Clive was sponsored to lift the Stones for "Children in Need" raising £250, he also received several crates from "Barrs Irn Bru" for his efforts, later donoted by Clive at other charitable events.
Glen Ross - At Bridge of Potarch - May 2001
Height - 6'1" (1.85)
Weight 31st. 7-lbs (441-lbs) (200-kgs)
Age - 30
Strap assisted lift & walked 5'6" with stones on the Bridge of Potarch
Residence - Bangor, Co.Down
Witnessed by Brian Brebner, George Oates & Francis Brebner 2 x World Highland Games Champion & 7 x World Caber Tossing Champion
Raymond Bergmanis - At Hazelhead, Aberdeen - July 2001
Height - 6'3" (1.91m)
Weight 21st. 12-lbs (306-lbs) (138.8-kgs)
Age - 33
1 Lift
Residence - Riga, Latvia
Witnessed by Francis Brebner 2 x World Highland Games Champion & 7 x World Caber Tossing Champion
Steve Angell - At Potarch - 8th October 2001 & 17th November 2006
Height - 6'1" (1.85m)
Weight 2001 - 16st 8-lbs (232-lbs) (105.2-kgs)
Weight 2006 - 17st (238-lbs) (108-kgs)
Age - 31 & 36
Unassisted lifts
Residence - Milton Keynes
In 2001 Steve made 5 lifts as reported in the Iron Grid, Vol.2 No.1, Jan 2002 and witnessed by Willy Wright & Andy Tomlin weightlifting referees from the Weightlifting Association Glasgow plus a group of spectators, and in 2006 he performed 4 reps witnessed by Stan Pike, Craig Beedie & his partner Holly Miller the new landlords of the Potarch Hotel
Kevin Fulton - At Potarch - 8th October 2001
Height - 6' (1.83M)
Weight - 18 st 7-lbs (259-lbs) (117.5-kgs)
Age - 41
Unassisted lift
Residence - Nebraska, USA
Kevin's single lift as reported in the Iron Grid, Vol 2 No 1 Jan 2002 and witnessed by Willy Wright & Andy Tomlin weightlifting referees from the Weightlifting Association Glasgow plus a group of spectators
James B.Blackhall - At Potarch - April 2002
Height - 6'1" (1.85m)
Weight - 15 st. 7-lbs (217-lbs) (98.4-kgs)
Age - 29
Unassisted lift.
Residence - Auchaballa, Ballogie, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire
Jim completed 3 lifts in a 5 minute period, holding his first lift for 10 seconds
Raymond Christie - At Potarch - 29th October 2003
Height - 6'1" (1.85m)
Weight - 21 st. 4-lbs (298-lbs) (135.2-kgs)
Age - 30
Unassisted lifts
Residence - Perth
Raymond completed 3 lifts - Reported and photographed in the MILO Vol.1, No.4, March 2004
Paul Swinton - At Longside, Peterhead, 22nd May 2005 - At Potarch, 24th April 2006
Height - 6' (1.85m)
Weight - 20 st. (280-lbs) (127-kgs)
Age - 25, 26
Strap assisted lifts
Residence - Aberdeen
Paul completed 1 lift in 2005, & 5 lifts in 2006
The 2005 assisted lift was witnessed by David Webster, and the 5 assisted lifts photographed and witnessed by Scott Taylor& Ross McSkimming
See Video of Paul lifting the Dinnie Stones - Return to this page by using green back arrow
Neil Hamilton - At Longside, Peterhead - 22nd May 2005
Height - 6' (1.83m)
Weight - 20 st. 7-lbs (287-lbs) (130.2-kgs)
Age - 26
Strap assisted lift
Residence - Shetland Islands
Neil completed 1 lift. witnessed by David Webster
Assisted lift was witnessed by David Webster.
Bill Crawford - At Potarch - 3rd October 2005 & 8th December 2007
Height - 6' (1.83m)
Weight 20 st. (280-lbs) (127-kgs)
Age - 43 & 47
Unassisted lifts
Residence - New Hampshire, USA.
2005 - Unassisted lift was witnessed by David Webster & Gordon Dinnie
2007 - 6 unassisted lifts using side by side stance, and 5 unassited lifts in the straddle position. He lifted & moved the stones five feet, lifting them side by side and swinging them forward 3 times he travelling 5 feet. witnessed by Alex Thomson, David Webster, Keith Craigmile, Richard Ingram, & Holly Crawford
Erik Sauve - At Potarch - 3rd October 2005
Height - 5'10" (1.78m)
Weight - 18 st. 13-lbs. (265-lbs) (120.2-kgs)
Age - 40
Strap grip assisted lift
Residence - Massachusetts, USA.
Strap assisted lift was witnessed by David Webster & Gordon Dinnie
Scott Taylor - At Potarch - 24th April 2006
Height - 6'3" (1.91m)
Weight - 22 st. 7-lbs. (313-lbs) (142-kgs)
Age - 31
Strap assisted lifts
Residence - Aberdeen
3 Strap assisted lifts, photographed and witnessed by Paul Swinton & Ross McSkimming.
Kenneth Nowicki - At Potarch, 7th May 2006 - At Potarch, 19th August 2007
Height - 5'10" (1.78m)
Weight - 16 st. 10-lbs. (234-lbs) (106.14-kgs) - In 2007 18 st. 1-lb. (254-lbs) (115-kgs)
Age - 17 & 18
Strap grip assisted lifts
Residence - Banchory
Kenneth is the youngest lifter to date, in 2006 made a single lift followed by 4 reps, then 8 reps - witnessed by Alec McDonald. In 2007 made a single lift witnessed and photographed by Alec McDonald
Noel Green - At Potarch - 18th June 2006
Height - 6'2" (1.88m)
Weight - 19 st. (266-lbs) (121-kgs)
Age - 24
Unassisted lifts
Residence - Aberdeen
Noel made 4 unassisted lifts - witnessed by Paul Swinton, Scott Taylor, Ross McSkimming & Chris Stopper.
Tony Aitchison - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 28th October 2006
Height - 5'11" (1.80m)
Weight - 16 st. 2-lbs. (226-lbs) (103-kgs)
Age - 41
Unassisted lift
Residence - Kirkcaldy, Fife
Tony performed 4 reps which were videoed and witnessed by Tam Love & Blyth Stevenson
Tom Love - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 28th October 2006
Height – 6’ (1.83m)
Weight - 15 st. (210-lbs) (95-kgs)
Age - 25
Unassisted lift
Residence - Dunfermline, Fife
Tam performed 3 reps which were videod and witnessed by Tony Aichison & Blyth Stevenson
Blyth Stevenson - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 28th October 2006
Height - 6'4" (1.93m)
Weight - 18 st. 12-lbs.(264-lbs) (120-kgs)
Age - 30
Unassisted lift
Residence - Kirkcaldy, Fife
Blyth performed 1 lift which was videod and witnessed by Tony Aitchison & Tam Love
Stan Pike - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 17th November 2006
Height - 6'3" (1.91m)
Weight - 18 st. 7-lbs.(259-lbs) (117-kgs)
Age - 54
Unassisted lift
Residence - Middlebie, near Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway
Stan performed 1 lift, witnessed by Steve Angell and Craig Beedie, the new landlord of the Potarch Hotel
Craig Reid - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 13th July 2007
Height - 6'1" (1.85m)
Weight - 18 st. 13-lbs. (265-lbs) (120-kgs)
Age - 39
Unassisted lift
Residence - Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Craig performed 5 lifts within a 10 minute period using a hook grip, witnessed by Kiwis Pat Hellier & Mick Cottrel who were all in Scotland to compete at Highland Games.
Mike Pockoski - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 6th August 2007
Height - 6'4" (1.93m)
Weight - 18 st. 13-lbs. (265-lbs) (120-kgs)
Age - 30
Assisted lift
Residence - Mooresville, North Carolina, USA
Mike performed 1 lift, using straps from his camera bag, witnessed by bert Sotin, Dan McKim and Mike's wife Mindy. Also captured on video see beloow.
Alec McDonald - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 19th August 2007
Height - 5'11" (1.80m)
Weight - 15 st. 10-lbs. (220-lbs) (100-kgs)
Age - 30
Assisted lift
Residence - Torphins, Aberdenshire
Alec performed 2 lifts, witnessed and photographed by Ken Nowicki
Keith Craigmile - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 8th December 2007
Height - 5'10" (1.78m)
Weight - 15 st. 3-lbs. (213-lbs) (97-kgs)
Age - 48
Unassisted lift
Residence - Blackburn, Aberdeen
Keith performed 4 repetitions, witnessed and photographed by Alex Thomson, David Webster, Keith Craigmile, Richard Ingram, & Holly Crawford
Richard Ingram - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 8th December 2007
Height - 6' (1.83m)
Weight - 13 st. 4-lbs. (186-lbs) (84-kgs)
Age - 33
Unassisted lift
Residence - Inverurie
Richard performed 4 repetitions, witnessed and photographed by Alex Thomson, David Webster, Keith Craigmile, Richard Ingram, & Holly Crawford
Mike Fraser - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 8th December 2007
Height - 6'2" (1.88m)
Weight - 17 st. 5-lbs. (243-lbs) (110-kgs)
Age - 21
Strap assisted lift
Residence - Blackburn, Aberdeen
Mike performed 2 lifts, witnessed and photographed by Alex Thomson, David Webster, Keith Craigmile, Richard Ingram, & Holly Crawford
Matthew Waldron-Moir - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 15th December 2007
Height - 6'1" (1.85m)
Weight - 13 st. 5-lbs. (187-lbs) (85-kgs)
Age - 38
Unssisted lifts
Residence - Originally from Cornwall, now lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Matthew made 4 unassisted lifts, witnessed and videod by his wife Katherine