You may have picked up from the SCA website recently that Gavin Millar, an open canoe sailor is attempting to sail around Britain. He left Southampton on 7th June, heading anti-clockwise around the coast, always intending to take the Caledonian Canal. He has reached the Inverness end of the Canal this morning (15th August), having entered Scottish waters on 24th July at Eyemouth.
This trip is not escorted, and Gavin has had no land support for most of the way, hauling ashore to camp most nights. Sailing a 16 ft. canoe for up to 10 hours a day is major feat of endurance, and Gavin has suffered both back and knee problems recently. There is no record in Europe of any such recent voyage in a small craft, and Gavin has extended the known capacity of the modern sailing canoe (a Shearwater Mark 2 built by Solway Dory).
Gavin will end this year’s voyage at Tighnabruaich on 24th/25th Auggust, as he has to return to work, and he will continue next summer. He is likely to be sailing down the west coast between about 19th-25th August, and any company you can provide would be most appreciated. All sea kayakers welcome!
You can follow Gavins progress, including hourly updates of his position, on www.canoesailor.com