Lifting stone


Lifting stones are heavy natural stones which people are challenged to lift, proving their strength. They are common throughout Northern Europe, particularly Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, Basque Country in northern Spain, Faroe Islands, Wales, north west England centered on Cumbria, Switzerland, southern Germany centered around Bavaria, Austria, Scandinavia, Greece and also in the United States and parts of Asia such as Japan.
Recently, lifting stones have been incorporated into the World's Strongest Man and other similar strongman competitions, using various cast, found, or established challenge stones such as the Húsafell Stone, Dinnie Stones, Inver Stones and Odd Haugen Tombstone. They also do modernized versions of events derived from ancient contests, in which athletes load heavy circular stones onto a platform, known as Atlas stones.
Famous lifting stones from around the world and the greatest stone lifters in strongman are listed below.

Iceland

Icelandic stonelifting roots have an ancient history going back to – 1056, with sagas about Orm Storolfsson, Finnbogi and Grettir Ásmundarson. Chronicles around 16th century state that lifting stones were traditionally used to qualify men for work on Icelandic fishing boats. Centuries ago, when approximately sixty fishing boats were operating, it required a practical way to quickly test whether someone was capable of working as a crew member. The stones not only became the formal interview but also sorted them to ranks. The ultimate objective was to reach "fullsterkur" status, by lifting the heaviest stone, proving the man is 'fully strong'. Some famous Icelandic lifting stones are described below.

Icelandic lifting stones

Húsafell Stone

The most famous legendary lifting stone in the world is the Húsafell Stone, named after the west country farming estate where it is located, about 132 km north east from Reykjavík. The iconic triangular-shaped stone which weighs is said to have been crafted from a large rock, back in 1756, by a local pastor named Snorri Björnsson. Nicknamed the 'Kviahellan' by Snorri, he used it as the gate to his sheep and goat pen, ensuring the animals remain in the pen without escaping. The stone has since been used by strongmen as a test of strength.
According to Icelandic folklore, there are three levels to which your physical strength is measured by the stone. In ascending capacity they are amlóði, hálfsterkur and fullsterkur. Someone who could break the floor with the stone which is already a substantial feat of strength, is called lazybones '', while anyone who could squat down, lap and lift it up to their waist level would be considered half-strong ''. However, for the iconic Icelandic full-strong status '', a person should lift it up to their chest, stand with it and walk it around the approximately 34 metre perimeter for a full 360° revolution around the sheep and goat pen. This final level can only be achieved by someone with extreme physical strength, stamina and endurance as hoisting the massive stone on to the chest while standing compresses the thorax and decreases lung capacity significantly.

Dritvík Stones

At the tip of the west coast, on Djúpalónssandur beach at the foot of Snæfellsjökull, at the western end of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, lies four legendary stones called Dritvík stones which dates back to the 14th century. Historically, the sailors who rowed out from this port were asked to lift each stone onto a natural plinth called 'Stallurinn', to prove their worth to be a ship's crew member and also to decide their ranks and share of the catch. For example, to qualify as an oarsman a man would have to lift the hálfdrættingur onto the plinth, hoisting the hálfsterkur would make you a 'steersman' and the fullsterkur would make you 'skipari'. The plinth had been around waist height, but throughout centuries almost all of it is now buried beneath the dark sand. Today, lifters prefer to lift the stones up to chest level and stand tall with them for a good lift.
The four stones are classified as:
  • Amlóði at
  • Hálfdrættingur at
  • Hálfsterkur at
  • Fullsterkur at

Judas Stone

Located in the Látravík cove at the westernmost point of the Westfjords region, the Judas Stone earned its name more than a century ago, when local farmers repeatedly tried to use it in the construction of a wall, only to have it 'betray' them like Judas Iscariot by always slipping out of place due to its unbalanced nature. The stone which weighs has been used during the 80s and 90s in Icelandic strongman competitions where it had to be carried for 50 metres in the fastest time.

Latra Stones

Also located in the Westfjords region between Tálknafjörður and Bíldudalur in the famous seabird cliffs are four stones called Latra Stones. For many generations, local fishermen used them to stay fit and to gain bragging rights in their little time on dry land. They have been used in Icelandic strongman competitions where competitors had to load them on top of oil barrels. Like in Dritvík Stones, there is a hierarchy based on their size:
  • Amlóði at
  • Hálfsterkur at
  • Fullsterkur at
  • Alsterkur at
There is also an additional fifth stone called 'Klofi stone' weighing.

Brynjólfstak

The heaviest of Iceland's natural lifting stones is the Brynjólfstak, which is a 1.5 meter long basalt located near Tálknafjörður in the Westfjords region. Legend says that the stone was first pulled from the sea in 1845, when a mighty farmer named Brynjólfur Eggertsson asked four of the strongest men in the area to lift the giant slab on to his shoulders. From there, Brynjólfur is said to have attached the stone to him with straps and carried it uphill, to the nearby ridge where it is currently located. The stone has since been named in his honor as Brynjólfstak due to the elongated shape of the stone.

Leggstein (Tombstone)

This smooth and pillar-like stone is said to mark the spot where an unfortunate farmer made a pact with the devil. As the story goes, the lazy farmer wanted a fast track to an easier, more prosperous life, so the devil offered him his dream if he could simply complete one task: lifting the Leggstein. It is located in the middle of the Westfjords region in Heydalur near Reykjanes. The legend says the farmer is buried under the massive plinth near the stone, to be carried around the plinth for several revolutions for his salvation.

Petursstein

In front of the Dynjandi waterfall in the Westfjords lies a black slate stone known as the Petursstein weighing. It is to be lapped and hoisted on to a large plinth. The stone was named after Pètur Gudmundsson and was at least heavier back in the day before a piece of it broke off.

Arbaer Stones

Located at Árbæjarsafn open-air museum in Reykjavík, are two sets of stones collectively known as the Arbaer Stones. First set is a collection of eight natural stones which are to be either lapped or lifted to chest height. The lightest weighs and the heaviest two weigh and. Second set contains two very heavy rectangularly carved man made stones with iron handles fixed to them. The lighter of the two weighs, and heavier one weighs.

Fludir Stones

At 'Mountain Villa' cabin at Flúðir are six natural stones whose formation dates back to the Pleistocene epoch. The stones originated as Magma which hurled red hot from Snæfellsjökull volcanic crater 4,800 ft above sea level. Throughout centuries, gravity pulled them down to the shore where North Atlantic waves continued to shape and polish them. Despite the sixth and final stone weighs, the first three of them are light and are meant for children to start their stone-lifting. They are to be lifted onto a hexagonal basalt column.

Horse Stone

Near Akureyri in northern Iceland lies a pentagonal stone with an iron handle drilled to it from its top. According to a local legend, it is said to have been swung around by a farmer. Jón Páll Sigmarsson managed to lift the stone for 10 repetitions.

Others

  • Bessasteinn - 4 stones weighing up to
  • Brúarásskóli stone -
  • Engjasteinar - 3 stones
  • Haukadalur
  • Hestastein at Laufas turf house
  • Myrdalssandur - 3 stones
  • Pakgil stones - 3 stones
  • Porsteinshaf sea stone/ Hero stone
  • Sjómannagarðurinn
  • Vegatorfustein

Scotland

In Scotland, lifting stones were used throughout generations as a tests of strength. 'Clach cuid fir' which is Gaelic for 'manhood stones' were used for young men to welcome into manhood when they were able to lift their clan's testing stone to waist height. The traditional stone put is also a famous sport in ancient Scotland. Some famous Scottish lifting stones are described below.

Scottish lifting stones

Dinnie Stones

The most famous among Scotland's legendary lifting stones are the Dinnie Stones. They are a pair of stones with metal rings fixed to each, located in Potarch, Aberdeenshire and made famous by strongman Donald Dinnie. Weighing combined, the heavier stone weighs and the lighter stone weighs. They were selected in the 1830s as counterweights for use in maintaining the Potarch Bridge. Lost following World War I, they were rediscovered in 1953 by David P. Webster. Strongmen lift the stones off the ground and also carry them or hold them for time as measures to check strength in different ways. The ultimate challenge is to replicate the 1860 performance of Donald Dinnie, by walking the original stones over the historical Potarch Bridge distance of. Another contemporary feat of strength is to pick up the stones from the sides and walk them in a farmers walk style carry. Lifting and holding the stones up unassisted without the use of lifting straps is widely regarded as a world class feat of grip strength.
There's also 'Nicol Stones' which are meant to be a stepping stone towards the Dinnies, weighing and for a combined.

Inver Stone

A granite stone, naturally made into an oval shape due to fast flowing waters of River Dee. Dating back to the 18th century, it was used to measure corn and wheat and sat outside of Inver Cottage from the early 20th century until 2021 where it was relocated to the Braemar Highland Games Centre. The American Bill Kazmaier was the first man to successfully overhead press the stone.
A five stone set replica of the historical stone, ranging from was often featured at the Rogue Invitational. Athletes had to load them over a hitching post in 2021 and 2022, and onto the top of whiskey barrels in 2024. Overhead pressing the first two stones of this set has also been featured at the Strongman Classic">Strongman (strength athlete)">Strongman Classic.

McGlashen Stones/Atlas Stones

Inspired by the original Inver Stone, these smooth and perfectly spherical stones were carved out from granite by stone-mason Stewart McGlashan during the nineteenth century. The earliest account of them being used in a strength competition was in 1963 at Highland Games. The Stones of Strength event introduced first at 1986 World's Strongest Man and then 1987 Pure Strength is the beginning of the benchmark in modern day Strongman stone runs where the competitors had to lift five concrete stones of increasing weight, lap them in a squatting position and hoist them to the top of wooden barrels, one by one. In the initial competitions of the 1980s and 1990s, these barrels, were of varying height, with the lightest stone requiring to be lifted approximately to a person's head height. The heavier the stone was, the closer it was located to the podium. From 1998 onwards, the stones increased in weight, and the podium heights and height ratios were gradually reduced. From the mid 2000s, podium heights and distance from the stone was kept uniform for better standardization.
Two of the most iconic Atlas stone runs today are the 5 Atlas Stones heavy set and light set, which the world records are held by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and Tom Stoltman respectively. Iñaki Perurena shouldered a Atlas stone and Magnus Samuelsson overhead pressed a Atlas stone.

Fianna Stone

Located in Glenlyon, Perthshire, it is the oldest of the Scottish stones and the challenge of 'Bodach', both dating back to the 11th century. Originated from Dolerite which is rich in Iron, the stone's volume is considerably less for a stone which weighs, owing to its high density. For Bodach, it has to be lifted and placed on a flat plinth.

Barevan Stone

Situated next to a stone coffin, historians think the stone was placed on top of the coffin when criminals were buried alive. The stone weighs and is used for either carrying or shouldering.

Menzies Stone

Also known as Chieftains stone, this smooth round stone at Castle Menzies was expected to be lifted and carried for 10 paces to achieve manhood. It was originally used as the boundary marker for the bog at the Rannoch Moor.

Saddlin’ Mare

At Sma Glen is a plinth and a stone along-with a challenge named after the practice of putting a saddle on a horse. The plinth known as 'Mare' is a tall and wide druid-like boulder, shaped at the top like a sloping desk with a 30° angle. The stone known as 'Saddle' which weighs should be picked up and placed on top of the plinth so that it sits balanced on top.

Ardblair Stones

A recently developed series of nine concrete spheres ranging from to used in the Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games. With very light first five of the nine stones, they also allow children to step into the world of stone-lifting.

Others

  • Blue or Charter stones at cemetery of old Dailly church &
  • Wallace Stone -
  • Puterach and Pudrac stones
  • Clach-ultaich of Iain Garbh MacGille Chaluim in Raasay, Duntulm
  • MacLeod's lifting stone in Rona
  • Farm stone of Auldgirth
  • Kidney shaped black basalt Leper's stone at Prestwick
  • Monachyle stone -
  • Ardvorlich stone -

Ireland

In Ireland, lifting stones have been used for centuries as a test for strength, as rites of passage into manhood, as well as at funeral gatherings. A man who could put the wind under a lifting-stone was considered a local hero and given great respect for his strength. Specialised throwing stones were also used in Irish warfare with great effect through the medieval period, and stone is a common material in construction of buildings, property boundaries and memorials for the dead. Currently, stone-lifting in Ireland is experiencing a modern revival, as known historic stones are receiving more attention.

Irish lifting stones

Aran Island Stones

Stone abounds are common in Aran Islands where it remains the primary traditional building material. One such famous lifting stone is a pink granite, called the Inishmore Stone, on Inishmore. It is also called Moulin Port Bheal an Dun by the locals. Liam O'Flaherty wrote about this stone in 'The Stone', 1937. Adjacent to it are two other smaller stones beside the main stone on the same patch of grass. Another stone located in Inishmaan is called Inishmaan Graveyard Stone which weighs. The test was to lift the stone to the graveyard wall. Another stone and a test is known as "Stonemason's Test" at where the stone had to be loaded on to a dry limestone wall as a test to become a stonemason's apprentice.

Faha Graveyard Stones

The Faha Stones in Faha, County Clare, are a pair, which the heavier one Cloch na bhFear weighs and the lighter one Cloch na mBean weighs. These stones were lifted at burial games and ceremonies to honor the deceased and there are written records of them that date back hundreds of years.

The Flag of Denn

The Flag of Denn in Denn, County Cavan is a heavy, almost perfectly rectangular stone associated with strong men of the parish who challenged each other after Sunday Masses to lift the stone up to their knees. Legend says a man called Michael Clarke, hoisted it onto his back over a century ago, walked 150 ft to the local pub, downed a glass of whiskey with the stone still on his back, and walked right back to the graveyard. Old accounts report there were originally three stones, called "The Flags of Denn". Under those three flags were supposed to lie the remains of three saints, and at that time this place was recognised as the saints burying ground.

Aughrim Graveyard Stone

Another ancient Irish stone is the Aughrim Graveyard Stone which weighs and meant to be shouldered when lifted.

The Bulk

Another contemporary stone is the Bulk in Owning, Co. Kilkenny, which rests near a lone tree at the crossroads, surrounded by a low stone wall. The goal is to lift the stone and carry around the tree as many times as possible.

Faroe Islands

Every settlement in the Faroe Islands used to have its local lifting stone, called 'Hav',
derived from the verb hevja which means 'to lift'. Visiting men would be challenged by the locals to show off their strength. These stones usually are very heavy and elongated in shape and they are mainly to be lifted off the ground to send wind underneath them.
One such iconic stone is now a part of a mural in the village of Mikladalur known as Marjunar Hav of Kalsoy. The legend says the stone has been lifted by Marjun the milkmaid, in the 16th century. Another famous Hav is the Anfinn’s Hav in Eysturoy.
The Faroe-kviahellan, modeled after the Húsafell Stone of Iceland, which was featured at 2000 IFSA Atlantic Giant competition in Tórshavn, was a perfectly triangular stone which had to be carried in a U-shaped path in the fastest time. Sweden's Magnus Samuelsson finished the course in 16.88 seconds.

Wales

According to Y pedair Camp ar Hugain Welsh for "The 24 feats", stone lifting was a common practice. It was usually performed by young boys as a rite of passage into manhood. It is said that once a young boy could lift the stone to his waist he was considered a man. Furthermore, the stone was used to develop a man's strength in preparation for battle. Stones varied, depending on what was available within the locality or on what was selected by the king of each region. The king's teulu were selected from each village or town within his borders, based upon a man's ability to lift stones, run, jump, leap, wrestle, fence, shoot a bow and arrow and throw a spear.
To date, a lifting stone called Garreg Orchest ' is still in place in the town of Criccieth in Gwynedd, North Wales. Competitors travel from all across the UK to attempt to lift and carry this large stone. In 2012 David Horne walked it for 62 feet. The other most famous lifting stone of Wales is the egg-shaped Criccieth Stone which is recognizable thanks to its broken chunk.

Basque Country

Stone lifting is also a traditional Basque Country sport involving the lifting of stones, called harri jasotzea. Basque country is located in the western Pyrenees, straddling the border between France and Spain on the coast of the Bay of Biscay.
There are several traditional Basque stones, pioneered by Bittor Zabala, namely Kuboa, Laukizuzena, Zilindroa and Biribila. They are specially carved out stones with specific shapes to each of them. The most common prowess is shouldering them. Contestants participate across events where they lap and shoulder them for as many reps as possible or for a one rep max. Also unique to Basque stone lifting is the donning of heavily padded leather vests and pants
which protect contestants from scrapes or bruises.
  • Kuboa – usually weighing between 10 and 17 arroba
  • Laukizuzena – usually weighing between 10 and 17 arroba
  • Zilindroa – usually weighing between 8 and 10 arroba
  • Biribila – usually weighing between 8 and 10 arroba
Mieltxo Saralegi holds the world record for the heaviest laukizuzena shoulder lift at. The greatest Basque stonelifter Iñaki Perurena previously held the record and was the first man to lift a laukizuzena in 1987, which he gradually increased it to by 1994. Additionally, Perurena holds the world records in 'one-arm' laukizuzena at  for max, for 3 reps, and for 4 reps.
In Amezketa, there is a stone challenge called Albitzuri Haundi where a rectangularly spherical stone needs to be shouldered for the most number of times within 10 minutes.
Giza proba is another discipline where a very heavy rectangular stone is attached to a chain to be attached to the athlete around his waist or just to be gripped by a handle and the stone to be dragged for the furthermost distance.
In the Ontzi eramatea event, the weights were originally milk canisters prior to stones.

Cumbria

In North West England centered around Cumbria, are several historical stone circles such as Castlerigg, Swinside and Birkrigg. Some stones, mainly the smallest and liftable ones among them have been used during ancient English sporting events which dates back to the 1600s. There are also several single stones which have become renowned among stonelifting communities.

Cumbrian lifting stones

Teesdale Feat Stone

In Durham, a whinstone fetched from River Tees named Teesdale Feat Stone which weighs posed a popular challenge which required the lifter to lift it on to a wooden table. The stone was lost for 12 years until it was founded again in 2024 and is now relocated in a field just off the Pennine Way footpath.

Lonton Egg

Another famous stone in Durham is the Lonton Egg which has a distinctive indent on one side. After a few pints, young men from 1920s have challenged each other to lift it on the walk home from the nearby pub.

Northumberland Stone

The Northumberland Stone, named by David P. Webster which was featured at 2015 World's Strongest Team competition was a cheviot granite from Martindale parish, Cumbria. It is the heaviest stone ever used in a distance carrying event and Iceland's Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson carried the colossal stone for.

Scandinavia

In Sweden, three of the most historical stones are Orebro stones, Kungslena stones and Ormeshaga stone. The Orebro Stones are seven stones located in three recessed circles that are cut into the grass, situated about 160 km West of Stockholm. The heaviest stone weighs. Kungslena Stones are three stones with the heaviest one weighing which reside outside the Kungslena church, situated about 125 km North East of Gothenburg. They are to be lifted and placed on top of three wooden stumps. Ormeshaga Stone lies under a tree by the roadside parallel to Lake Rottnen. It weighs.
In Finland, there's popular stone named "Karperö Lifting Stone" whose formation dates back to the Ice age. In 1986, Finnish author Bernhard Fransholm wrote about the near perfectly spherical stone, and how it was used as a measure of men's strength and arm girth.
In Denmark, located at the Open Air Museum of Copenhagen there's a historical stone named "Mules Old Lifting Stone" which weighs. It is meant to be lifted and held above ground for the longest time.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, affiliated to the Unspunnenfest, a festival held once every twelve years, a historic stone weighing is thrown overhead for the longest distance. The event is known as Unspunnen stone throw. The contestants begin on a runway, hurling the Aare granite stone as far as they could into a sand pit. In 2004, Swiss carpenter Markus Maire established the current record in this event with a throw.

Bavaria

In Southern Germany centered around Bavaria, stone lifting has been a traditional sport for centuries. It was developed as a general test of strength primarily in the Bavarian Alps region, and under the care of the State Association of Stone Lifters, now developed as an independent sport. A notable event is the Stoalupfn which originated at the strong beer festival, where competitors have to lift a rectangular shaped stone attached to a ring, starting from a squatting position. Austria's Martin Wildauer holds the world record in this lift. In Munich Residenz lies a black lifting stone called Duke Christoph’s Stone which weighs, dating back to the seventeenth century.

Greece

Stonelifting in Ancient Greece runs back to the early 6th century BC with the legend of the Bybon stone of Olympia. It is a red sandstone weighing which also contains two deep notches carved out of it, forming a handle so that the stone might have been used as a free weight. The inscription on the stone which reads: 'ΒΥΒΟΝ ΤΕΤΕΡΕΙ ΧΕΡΙ ΥΠΕΡ ΚΕΦΑΛΑΣ ΥΠΕΡΕΒΑΛΕΤΟ ΟΦΟΛΑ' translates to "Bybon, son of Phola, has lifted me over head with one hand". The stone is preserved and displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.

United States of America

Events involving carrying, walking, shouldering, loading, holding and throwing stones have become very popular in the US across many American highland games competitions. Organizations such as 'New England Stone Lifting' also arrange competitions like 'Festival at Fort 4' to popularize stone lifting among the general public. Below are some of the most iconic stones.

American lifting stones

Lundstrom Stones

At the Loon Mountain Highland Games in New Hampshire, there's a popular farmers walk event with a pair of stones which weigh and respectively for a combined weight of. It was originated in 1983 and pioneered by stone-lifter John Lundstrom. In 2015, Iceland's Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson competed against the Highland games specialists and carried the stones for.

Jón Páll Sigmarsson Stone

A bulky, sharp and triangularly shaped stone weighing named after Jón Páll Sigmarsson which is kept in New Hampshire, and used in some New England Highland Games. Like the Húsafell Stone, it is to be lifted onto the chest and carried for maximum distance. The Icelandic phrase 'Þetta er ekkert mál fyrir Jón Páll!' is inscribed in the stone.

Odd Haugen's Tombstone

Norwegian Strongman Odd Haugen was gifted with a oval shaped stone on his 58th birthday and since has featured at the Arnold Strongman Classic a number of times in the Stone to Shoulder event. In 2019, Poland's Mateusz Kieliszkowski performed 5 repetitions.

Manhood Stones

In 2007, when Slater Strength Co. introduced the Max. Atlas stone over 4ft bar event for the Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, Ohio, it went on to be popularized as the Manhood Stones. Throughout the years, stones got heavier and was frequently featured at Rogue Record Breakers. During 2024 Strongest Man on Earth in Colorado, Iceland's Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson broke the world record for the heaviest Manhood Stone ever lifted within a full competition by repping a stone twice. Scotland's Tom Stoltman holds the world record for the heaviest Manhood Stone ever lifted at.

Others

  • Buckeye stone
  • Calamity stone
  • Gilson stone
  • Cottonwood stones
  • Buffalo stone
  • Hoosier stones
  • William Keith stone

Canada

In 1883, Louis Cyr of Quebec was credited with lifting a stone which was deemed impossible to lift. After performing the feat, the stone was said to have returned to its original location but it disappeared in 1903. During 2008 Fortissimus competition organized by Paul Ohl, Derek Poundstone lifted a replica of the stone which weighed to a 30 in platform. The stone was named and engraved 'Cyr/ Poundstone' soon after.

Asia

Japan

In ancient Japan, stone lifting was carried out around Shinto shrines as a sport. サシ石, 石担, and 石運び are some popular disciplines.
In Takayama, there are two smooth circular stones called "Hida folk village stones" which weigh and respectively. Back in the day, they were used to determine who is the strongest man in the village.

Other parts of Asia

In late antiquity, Jerome described a long-standing tradition in Judaea where heavy round stones were placed in towns and villages for young men to lift as a test of strength, with some raising them to their knees or shoulders and the strongest lifting them overhead with straight, bound arms.
Rock carrying is traditional in Tibet and the rest of China where circular shaped natural stones and rectangularly shaped stones weighing up to are lifted and carried. In India and Pakistan, rocks are lifted in different ways as a sport.

Notable stone lifters

  • Below table summarizes the 12 greatest stone lifters in Strongman history.
  • No. of total career stone event wins, including currently held world records.
#NameWins
Win %WRsWorld Records
Currently held world records only
1