The heavy brigade from across the globe gathered in Deeside yesterday to celebrate the famous Birse weightlifter Donald Dinnie.
And a woman hoisted herself into the record books when she became the first female since Jan Todd, who in 1979 lifted the 733lb Dinnie Steens, to be officially recorded by the adjudicators.
Australian nurse, Leigh Holland-Keen, 29, successfully lifted the objects in front of a crowd of 400 cheering onlookers.
Speaking afterwards, Miss Holland-Keen, who is New South Wales’ strongest woman, said she was feeling “ecstatic” after her feat and hoped she would be “paving the way” for more female contesters.
Her mother Susie, 46, also took part and made a partial lift, but couldn’t quite manage the complete uphold.
For the second year, the gathering was held at Potarch, with 32 power lifters trying their hand at lifting and two attempting to recreate Mr Dinnie’s famous achievement in carrying the famous “Dinnie Steens” across Potarch Bridge.
The 733lb rocks were made famous by Birse athlete Dinnie in 1860 when he carried them the 17ft width of the Potarch Bridge, near Banchory.
In total, there have been 76 heavies who have so far managed to lift the huge weight. And this year saw competitors travel from as far afield as America, Brazil and Australia.
Irishman Stevie Shanks, 54, managed his ninth successful lift, encouraged by his father, Jack, who is credited with being the first person to lift and then carry the boulders unassisted exactly the same distance Dinnie managed in 1860.
Mr Shanks jnr said afterwards that he felt “alright” and added: “It’s all about the event itself – the friendship and brotherhood here today is incredible – that’s the important thing.”
Jim Splaine, from Bridge of Don, holds the record for most successful attempts, as well as being the lightest-ever lifter to move the stones, and is still involved in promoting the challenge.
Mr Splaine hoisted them 65 times between 1973 and 1994 and weighed just 10st 4lb.
On one occasion, in 1975, he completed the challenge with his then eight-year-old son, also known as Jim, on his shoulders.
The 72-year-old said there remains an incredible aura around the stones because so few have managed to lift them.
“They are still the ultimate stones to lift, there’s 50 to 60 in Scotland and the Dinnie Steens are the heaviest,” he said.
This year there were also attempts to lift the Ardblair Stones and a lifting demonstration with the Inver Stone.
