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ARTIFACTS > DINNIE STONES

Dinnie Stones

1860

? ?, 1860

ARTIFACT
Dinnie Stones - Donald Dinnie performed a feat of strength by carrying two massive boulders across the width of the Potarch Bridge on the south bank of the River Dee near Kincardine O'Neil, Aberdeenshire, Scotland and then back across.

The two boulders were both made of granite and were originally used in the 1830's as counterweights for maintenance on the Potarch Bridge.

The boulders were fitted with iron rings to which ropes were fixed so that scaffolds could be attached from which workmen could repair the bridge's outer face.

The boulders total combined weight was 733 lbs. The larger stone being 414.5 lbs and the smaller stone being 318.5 lbs.

The distance Donald Dinnie carried the boulders was 17 feet and 1.5 inches. This incredible feat of strength has only been accomplished by 5 men since, including Donald Dinnie's father.

After World War I the boulders went missing until 1953 when they were rediscovered by author, historian, and sports promoter David Pirie Webster. The 18th century Potarch Hotel features these boulders, now referred to as The Dinnie Stones, by their doorway as a challenge to strongmen from around the world.

Also featured at the Potarch Hotel is a 23 inch carved statuette of Donald engraved with the words "Presented to Donald Dinnie, Champion Athlete In Appreciation of his Athletic Prowess, by his Scotch Friends, In Newcastle 1870".

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