This September, former professional rugby player and fellow Watsonian, Iain Sinclair, will attempt a world-first challenge — swimming the entire 60-mile length of the Caledonian Canal, from the Atlantic at Corpach, Fort William, to the North Sea at Clachnaharry, Inverness.
This September, former professional rugby player and fellow Watsonian, Iain Sinclair, will attempt a world-first challenge — swimming the entire 60-mile length of the Caledonian Canal, from the Atlantic at Corpach, Fort William, to the North Sea at Clachnaharry, Inverness.
Supported by Scottish Canals, Iain will navigate all 29
locks along the historic waterway. While others have swum parts of the route,
no one has ever completed the full canal, locks included. For the first time
ever, permission has been granted for a swimmer to pass through every gate —
making this a historic sea-to-sea swim across Scotland.
A Challenge with Deep Purpose
This record attempt carries special meaning. In 2024, Iain lost two close friends, whose memories fuel his determination.
- Coin “Boon” Maguire, a great friend and Ironman training partner, tragically passed away from a sudden heart attack. Iain is dedicating the challenge to Boon’s memory in support of the British Heart Foundation.
- Jenny Hastings, wife of Iain’s former teammate Scott Hastings, also passed away in 2024 after a courageous battle with mental health challenges. Jenny was an inspiring open-water swimmer, and Iain will also raise funds for Mikeysline, a Highland-based mental health charity.
This effort also honours Iain’s own journey. Having lived with Indeterminate Colitis and undergone life-changing surgery, he previously raised money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK after completing an Ironman. Including them again as a Sea2Sea charity partner is a powerful reminder of the challenges he has overcome.
More Than a Swim
For Iain, this challenge is not a solo endeavour. Supported by safety crews, charity partners, media teams, and lifelong friends, he sees Sea2Sea as a team effort in the truest sense.
“I’ve been lucky in rugby and in life to be part of great teams, and this feels no different. I’m especially grateful for the support of my wife and our three children — the ones I hope to make proud above all. We’re going to give this everything we’ve got.”
How to Support
Iain’s swim is about more than breaking records. It’s about honouring loved ones, raising awareness, and making a difference for three charities close to his heart:
- British Heart Foundation
- Mikeysline
- Crohn’s & Colitis UK
???? You can support Iain by donating to his fundraising campaign today.
Together, we can help turn this extraordinary feat into lasting impact.