Adventurer will tell students to ‘achieve your own dreams’

A former Glenalmond College pupil who has set five rowing world records is to return to the school to inspire current pupils and visitors.

Jamie Douglas-Hamilton was part of a team of six who conquered the notorious Drake Passage, a 750-mile stretch of ocean connecting Chile’s Cape Horn with Antarctica.

They were first to successfully navigate the dangerous stretch in just a rowing boat.

The journey was completed on Christmas Day and was confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records.

Jamie said: “It has been an exciting journey since leaving school so far but there have, of course, been plenty of tough times too.

“The lessons for future life I learned at school have stayed with me. You should try and achieve your own dreams, no matter what they are.”

Jamie and his team tackled 40-foot waves in the Southern Ocean, rowing in 90-minute shifts, 24 hours a day, for 12 days.

He said the “extreme cold” and “physical toll” were the most challenging parts of the venture.

But he added that achieving their goals and setting three world firsts was exhilarating.

Jamie’s advice to young people is to believe in themselves and to find a way around obstacles to achieve their goals.

He said: “What might seem impossible rarely is if you truly believe in what you are doing and you are determined to make it a reality.”

He will hold his talk at Glenalmond College on March 14 at 10am. It is free but attendees can register on the school’s website.