[en] Excitation of the 1049.8 keV isomeric state (t_1_/_2=11.4 s, spin difference between ground and isomeric states ΔJ=8) in "1"7"6Yb using Bremsstrahlung radiation is observed for the first time. In contrast to the photoexcitation of isomeric states in other nuclei with lower spin differences, where effective integrated cross-sections are of order tens to hundreds of barn eV, an integrated cross-section of just 0.0484±0.066 barn eV is observed for "1"7"6Yb. - Highlights: • First measurement of photon activation of high-spin isomeric state in "1"7"6Yb. • Integrated cross-section for activation of isomer found to be extremely small. • Isomeric activation reaction is not suitable for photon activation analysis of Yb.