A lifting shackle comprises a head plate (1) having a central aperture (4). A pair of load supporting arms (2) are each attached pivotably to the head plate at respective points substantially equi-distant from a vertical, in use, axis of the head plate passing through the aperture (4). The load supporting arms define facing channels which receive laterally spaced edges of the load. At or near the remote end of each load supporting arm (2) a load attachment bar (5) is provided for engaging the load to be lifted.