Strontian
TWO men attempting to paddle around mainland Britain in an open canoe in aid of a children's charity have set off.
Ex-police officer Colin Skeath, who now lives in Strontian, and his nephew, Davis Gould-Duff, are attempting the challenge in a Swift Temagami open canoe.
The pair set off from from outside the Sunart Hotel on Sunday in a clockwise direction.
Strong winds meant the first day of the 2,500-mile trip was strenuous but the sun has been shining since, making conditions fairly comfortable, according to Colin's wife Katrina. She told the Lochaber
Times: ‘They were both really anxious to set off. We have been preparing for this for a long time so they just wanted to get cracking really.
‘They had some rough seas the first night as they were heading up to Kilchoan so they never managed to go around Ardnamurchan un- til Monday morning and they stopped on Eigg. They set off again and made it over to Armadale.’
The plan is for Colin and Davis to do two shifts a day. Where possible they will paddle and then find somewhere to stop until the tide changes.
Katrina will meet them approximately every five days to hand over extra food and water, batteries and memory cards for their cameras.
She added: ‘The weather has been lovely for them although I had a conversation with them earlier today (Tuesday) and it has been a tough paddle because the wind dropped. They are heading up toward Kyle Rhea and in the direction of Skye Bridge.’
Money raised from the trip will be donated to Forget Me Not children's hospice which supports children with life-shortening conditions and their families. To donate visit http://canoearoundbritain.com/.