The Amazing Donald Dinnie: The Nineteenth Century’s Greatest Athlete – Iron Game History – May, 1998

When Donald Dinnie initially toured the U.S. Caledonian circuit in 1870 he created a sensation and earned a small fortune. At thirty-three, Dinnie was already acknowledged as Scotland’s greatest athlete, having competed for sixteen Highland Games seasons in his native land. Such was his reputation for feats of strength and versatility that American Caledonian clubs amended their calendars and paid heavy appearance fees to Dinnie to compete at their Gatherings. And so, in July, 1870, Don- ald Dinnie, the world’s greatest athlete and the first super-star of sport, came to America.