This September, I’m taking on a deeply personal challenge and one that means a great deal to me. In partnership with Scottish Canals, I’ll attempt to swim the full 60-mile length of the Caledonian Canal, from the Atlantic at Corpach, Fort William, to the North Sea at Clachnaharry, Inverness. It’s a historic route that includes all 29 canal locks, and with special permission to swim through every gate, this will be the first time anyone has attempted a sea-to-sea swim across Scotland in this way.

This challenge isn’t just about a test of physical and mental limits, it's also a tribute to two good people we lost far too early. In 2024, I lost my good friend Colin (Boon) Maguire to a sudden heart attack. It’s been 10 years since we completed an Ironman together, along with Neil Chisholm. I’m dedicating this swim to Colin’s memory and I am proud to be raising funds for the British Heart Foundation in his honour.

That same year, Jenny Hastings, wife of my friend and former rugby teammate Scott Hastings, also passed away. Jenny was a passionate outdoor swimmer who inspired so many through her love of the water and her courageous mental health journey. In her memory, I’ll also be equally proud to be raising funds for Mikeysline, a grassroots Highland charity supporting mental health.

This challenge is personal in another way, too. I live with the daily impact of Indeterminate Colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease. In 2013, I had major surgery to remove my colon, followed by another operation to reverse the stoma and create an internal pouch. Two years later, I was fortunate enough to complete an Ironman triathlon and raise funds for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. That experience showed me what’s possible when we don’t let illness define us and this swim feels like the next step in that same journey. Once again, I’ll be raising money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK.

I know this challenge won’t be easy. But with the support of Scottish Canals and my incredible support team, I hope to honour the memories of those we've lost, raise awareness and funds for causes close to my heart, and maybe, just maybe, set a world record along the way.