Strongmen must now book an appointment if they want to lift an iconic stone – after it was moved to protect it from thieves.
The Inver Stone, weighing 118kg, sat behind a cottage in the Highland village since the early 20th century – and anyone could have a go at lifting it.
Heavyweights from around the world would visit the cottage to try the challenge, with around 30 managing the feat each year.
Successful attempts were recorded in a guest book by June Richards, the “keeper of the stone”, until her death aged 90.
But the stone – which inspired the Atlas Stone event in the World’s Strongest Man competition – has been removed from Inver and placed at the Braemar Highland Games Centre.
Ms Richards’ son made the request for it to be removed amid fears it might be stolen.
However, heavyweights are disappointed that they are now being told they must make an appointment if they want to try and lift it.
Renowned stone lifter Brett Nicol told the Daily Record: “By appointment is no use. A lot of ‘stone tours’ are arranged at the last minute.
“We’re trying to make sure it will be outside all the time. It’s something a lot of the guys want.
“The centre is a nice place for it to be, but we definitely don’t want it locked up, no chance.”
A group of strongmen donated a barrel to the centre so challengers can try to lift the hulking weight on top of it.
Plans for an outdoor cage
The Braemar Royal Highland Society, which runs the centre, is hoping to create an outside cage for it next year.
President David Geddes said: “I know there’s a feeling among some lifters that it should be accessible at all times without appointments. But that’s not practical at this particular time.
“June’s son contacted us following her passing as he felt the stone should be at the centre.
“It was very good of her to keep it all those years. She kept a book since 2004, with all the people who lifted the stone, which has been passed to us.”
The centre has pledged to erect an outdoor cage next year, complete with a security pass code, so lifters can attempt to heave the stone all year round.
He added: “At the moment we’re asking anyone wanting to make an attempt to contact us to avoid being disappointed and we’ll do our best to accommodate them.
“We also want it to be in a place where it will be secure and can’t be stolen.”