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 - 14th October 2009.
This site was created by Gordon Dinnie who sadly passed away in 2009
As a mark of respect to the great body of work he did this site will be kept live and unchanged for Dinnie enthusiasts to enjoy.
For any current and upcoming news on Dinnie related stories such as the Dinnie Stones please visit www.thedinniestones.com
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 - October 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
Photo by kind permission of David P. Webster O.B.E
David Prowse is well known for his TV Commercials & 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 stones 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 1973 unassisted lift was witnessed by Gordon Forbes, a Highland Games Athlete from Buckie
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 Strachan & 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 - The lightest lifter to date
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 lifts
Residence - Cheltenham, England
Unassisted lift was witnessed by David Webster & Gordon Dinnie
David Horne - At Potarch - 5th April 1998 & 24th May 1999
Height - 6'2" (1.88m)
Weight - 15 st. (210-lbs) (96.3-kgs)
Age - 36 & 37
Unassisted lift
Residence - Stafford
In 1998, 2 Unassisted lifts was witnessed by David Webster & Gordon Dinnie - In 1999, single lift witnessed by Son Jason
Clive Williams - At Potarch - 12th November 2000 & 1st November 2008
Height - 5'8" (1.73m)
Weight - 15 st. 7-lbs. (217-lbs) (98-kgs)
Age - 56 & 64 - The oldest lifter to date
3 Unassisted lifts & 2 Strap Assisted Lifts in 2000 & 3 Assited lifts in 2008
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. In 2008 Clive's 3 asisted lifts were witnessed by Steve Elliot form Culbokie, Ross-shire, Stuart McHardy form Dores, Inverness & David Eadie from Dingwall
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
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 & 19th August 2007, & Aboyne Games 1st August 2009
Height - 5'10" (1.78m)
Weight - 2006 16 st. 10-lbs. (234-lbs) (106.14-kgs) - 2007 18 st. 1-lb. (254-lbs) (115-kgs) - 2009 20 st. 7-lbs (287-lbs) (130-kgs)
Age - 17 & 19 & 21 Respectively
Strap grip assisted lifts in 2006 & 2007, Unassitsed lifts in 2009
Residence - Banchory
In 2006, Kenneth the youngest lifter to date, made a single lift followed by 4 reps, then 8 reps all assisted- witnessed by Alec McDonald.
In 2007 made a single assited lift witnessed and photographed by Alec McDonald
In 2009 did 2 single, 2 reps, & 1 single lift all unassisted, photographed by Gordon Dinnie, and witnessed by Andrrew Cairney, Stephen Murray, Calum Morrison, and a large crowd of spectators.
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
Daniel Brown - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 14th March 2007
Height - 5'11" (1.80m)
Weight - 13 st. 9-lbs.(191-lbs) (87-kgs)
Age - 24
Strap assisted lift
Residence - Banchory
Daniel performed 1 lift, witnessed by Andrew Brown and Portach Hotel Landlord.
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 & 28th June 2009
Height - 5'10" (1.78m)
Weight - 15 st. 3-lbs. (213-lbs) (97-kgs)
Age - 48 & 49
Unassisted lifts
Residence - Blackburn, Aberdeen
2007 - Keith performed 4 repetitions, witnessed and photographed by Alex Thomson, David Webster, Richard Ingram, Mike Fraser.
2009 - Keith performed 1 lift, witnessed by David Webster, Laine Snook, Calum Morrison, Alan Wyne, & Graham Brown.
Richard Ingram - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 8th December 2007, 4th May 2008 & 28th June 2009
Height - 6' (1.83m)
Weight - 13 st. 4-lbs. (186-lbs) (84-kgs)
Age - 33, 34 & 35
Unassisted & assisted lifts
Residence - Inverurie
2007 - Richard performed 4 unassited repetitions, witnessed and photographed by Alex Thomson, David Webster, Keith Craigmile, Mike Fraser.
2008 - Richard performed 1 unassisted lift, witnessed and photographed by Alex Thomson, Keith Craigmile.
2009 - Richard performed 3 assisted Repetitions, witnessed Keith Craigmile, Mike Fraser.
Mike Fraser - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 8th December 2007 & 28th June 2009
Height - 6'2" (1.88m)
Weight - 17 st. 5-lbs. (243-lbs) (110-kgs)
Age - 21 & 23
Strap assisted lifts
Residence - Blackburn, Aberdeen
2007 - Mike performed 2 lifts, witnessed and photographed by Alex Thomson, David Webster, Keith Craigmile, Richard Ingram.
2009 - Mike performed 1 lift, witnessed by Keith Craigmile, Richard Ingram.
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
Robert Parfitt - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 4th May 2008
Height - 5'4" (1.63m)
Weight - 11 st. 5-lbs. (159-lbs) (72-kgs)
Age - 48
Assisted lifts
Residence - Alford, Aberdeenshire
Bob made 2 assisted lifts, witnessed and photographed by Alex Thomson,
Rob Russell - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 20th August 2008
Height - ?'?" (1.88m)
Weight - ?? st. ?-lbs. (???-lbs) (???-kgs)
Age - ??
Unassisted lift ???
Residence - ???
Rob made a single unassisted lift ????, witnessed by ??????
Laine Snook - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire - 12th December 2008
Height - 6'7" (2.01m)
Weight - 23 st. (322-lbs) (146-kgs)
Age - 40
Unassisted lift
Residence - Leinthall, Earls
The unassisted lift was witnessed by Roger Davis & Graham Brown
Alan Wyne - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire - 12th December 2008
Height - 5'7" (1.70m)
Weight - 10 st.10-lbs (150-lbs) (68-kgs)
Age - 46
Assisted lift
Residence - Kelty, Fife
The assisted lift was witnessed by Roger Davis, Laine Snook.
Dr. Lance Holland-Keen - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire – 5th January 2009
Height - 6'2" (1.88m)
Weight - 20 st. 2-lbs. (282-lbs) (128-kgs)
Age - 33
Assisted lift
Residence - Mt. Annan, New South Wales, Australia
Lance made a single strap assisted lift at -3 degrees, witnessed by his wife Susan, stepdaughter Leighann, and his parents Delaine and Charles Holland-Keen
Roger Davis - At Potarch, Aberdeenshire - 28th June 2009
Height - 5'8" (1.73m)
Weight - 12 st.11-lbs (179-lbs) (81-kgs)
Age - 39
Assisted lifts
Residence - Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Roger's 2 assisted lifts were witnessed by David Webster, Laine Snook, Calum Morrison, Alan Wyne, & Graham Brown.
Stephen "Stainless" Murray - At the Aboyne Highland Games, Aberdeenshire - 1st August 2009
Height - 6' (1.83m)
Weight - 15 st. (210-lbs) (95-kgs)
Age - 44
Unssisted lifts
Residence - Glasgow
2 single unassisted lifts were photographed by Gordon Dinnie, and witnessed by Ken Nowicki, Andrew Cairney, Calum Morrison, and a large crowd of spectators.
Andrew Cairney - At the Aboyne Highland Games, Aberdeenshire - 1st August 2009
Height - 6'1" (1.85m)
Weight - 22 st. (308-lbs) (140-kgs)
Age - 29
Unssisted lift
Residence - Glasgow
Single unassisted lift was photographed by Gordon Dinnie, and witnessed by Ken Nowicki, Stephen Murray, Calum Morrison, and a large crowd of spectators.
Robert Travis Willingham - At Potarch - 7th September 2009
Height - 6' (1.83m)
Weight - 23 st. 3-lbs (325-lbs) (147-kgs)
Age - 35
Unssisted lifts
Residence - Blue Springs, Missouri, USA
Travis performed 3 unassisted lifts, witnessed and videod by his wife Sarah Willingham.