Are you training for the Dinnie Stones?
 Click here for recommended training rings/pins
The Steens were returned to their ancestral home outside the refurbished Potarch Café & Restaurant in August 2016, and are now available by appointment for lifters wishing to take on the challenges laid down by Donald Dinnie himself in 1860. A set of guidelines has been put in place designed to protect the integrity of the Steens for future generations and the safety of lifters. These guidelines can be downloaded from the links below and we wish you all a successful conclusion to this most excellent test of strength!
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ THE ADVICE BELOW BEFORE SETTING UP YOUR ATTEMPT!
In order to set up your attempt you must provide video evidence via email (donalddinniegames@gmail.com) of lifting 300kg or more on any kind of lift without handstraps. Links to social media videos are also OK. The lift should ideally be on training rings, however partial deadlifts or elevated trap bar lifts are OK. Lifting 300kg is not a guarantee of success as the stones are much heavier but it does show that the lifter is competent and is aware of the potential for injury when lifting heavy weights.
From January 2025 the organisers have agreed that a minimum donation of £30 will be introduced for attempts on the Dinnie Stones. The funds raised will go directly to the running of The Gathering and accounts will be published on this website each year at:
https://thedinniestones.com/The%20Gathering.html
Unfortunately, due to high demand, a lifting spot cannot be confirmed or held until the prequal video is submitted and the donation paid.
Lifters are advised to agree their date from the list of available dates below before making any travel arrangements as the owners cannot accomodate alternative dates due to work commitments etc.
Lifting will normally commence around 4.30pm to allow The Dinnie Stones Team time to get there from work etc.
Regarding warm up there's only the stones there. Our advice to you is to fully load your pins and work out a warm up routine with the full weight. Some 2 handed on the little stone then some 2 handed on the big stone. Follow with some right and left one handed lifts on the little stone and see where you want to go from there.
Practicing this at home means it will feel more normal on the day.
In order to protect the time commitment given by the Dinnie Stones team, monthly sessions are limited to 10 lifters per session. These slots are allocated on a first come first served basis. A reserve list will be created where necessary.
Unfortunately dates other than those listed below cannot currently be accommodated
Please see dates below and ONLY make your booking via: donalddinniegames@gmail.com This page is kept as current as possible but things can change very quickly so we can't guarantee 100% accuracy
Thursday 1st October 2026 @ 4.30pm
No spaces currently available
Thursday 5th Novemver 2026 @ 4.30pm
No spaces currently available
Thursday 4th February 2027 @ 4.30pm
10 Spaces currently available
Thursday 4th March 2027 @ 4.30pm
10 Spaces currently available
Thursday 1st April 2027 @ 4.30pm
8 Spaces currently available
Thursday 6th May 2027 @ 4.30pm
9 Spaces currently available
Thursday 3rd June 2027 @ 4.30pm
10 Spaces currently available
Thursday 1st July 2027 @ 4.30pm
10 Spaces currently available
Sunday 8th August 2027 @ 11am
No spaces available
Thursday 2nd September 2027 @ 4.30pm
8 Spaces currently available
Thursday 7th October 2027 @ 4.30pm
9 Spaces currently available
Thursday 4th November2027 @ 4.30pm
10 Spaces currently available
Huge thanks to Brett Nicol, Jim Splaine, Rosemary Splaine and the Ballogie team who give up their time to support and record everyone making their Dinnie Stones attempt.
Click here for a copy of the guidelines for lifting the stones
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The Steens were weighed officially by the Aboyne Highland Games Committee in 2014 - Click here for a copy of the Official Certificate
Sponsored by The Stark Center for Physical Culture & Sports
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