Sea2Sea Caledonian Swim

A former professional rugby union player has teamed up with Scottish Canals to attempt a deeply personal and ambitious challenge whilst setting a world record in the process. 

Starting on September 15, in a quiet but determined bid to make history, former Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby flanker Iain Sinclair will attempt to become the first person to swim the full length of the iconic Caledonian Canal, including all 29 locks. Stretching 60 miles, the sea-to-sea route will take Iain across Scotland, from the Atlantic waters in the west to the North Sea in the east. 

For Iain, 48, this isn’t just an endurance test over 10 days, it’s a journey of meaning, resilience, and community. He’s using the epic challenge to raise awareness and funds for three charities that hold personal significance: Crohn’s & Colitis UK, British Heart Foundation, and mental health charity, Mikeysline. 

A father of three and renewable energy executive, Iain has faced significant health challenges of his own. Diagnosed with indeterminate colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, he underwent major life changing surgery in 2013 to remove his colon (total colectomy) and another operation to reverse the stoma (ileostomy) and form an internal pouch using his remaining small intestine.  

Two years later, determined not to be defined by illness, he completed an Ironman triathlon, raising funds for Crohn’s & Colitis UK in the process. That moment wasn’t just a personal comeback, it was the result of collective support from family, friends, doctors, and training partners. This swim is the next chapter of that same journey. 

In 2024, Iain tragically lost his good friend, Colin Maguire, to a sudden heart attack. This swim marks 10 years since they completed the Ironman together, alongside Sea2Sea support team member Neil Chisholm and Iain is dedicating the challenge to Colin’s memory, in support of the British Heart Foundation. 

2024 also brought the loss of Jenny Hastings, wife of his friend and former Watsonians and Edinburgh Rugby teammate Scott Hastings. Jenny courageously battled mental health challenges and inspired many through her love of outdoor swimming, a sport she excelled in. In her memory, Iain will also be fundraising for Mikeysline, a grass roots, Highland mental health charity. 

The challenge will also make history as it’s the first time the canal custodians have granted permission for a swimmer to pass through the canal gates, with robust safety precautions in place, allowing for a continuous swim from Fort William to Inverness, making this a true world first. 

Iain Sinclair, who will be taking on the challenge this September, explained: “Whilst there is a great sense of achievement from completing a marathon, or Ironman triathlon, I’ve always wanted to do something a bit different, something physically and mentally demanding, ideally something never done before and importantly, share the positive experience with others.  

“Swimming was always the hardest part of the triathlon for me, heavy rugby player legs and the nickname ‘Sinky’ says it all! So, anything that involved swimming would by default, be a challenge. 

“After some research, I discovered no one had ever swum the full length of the Caledonian Canal, from sea to sea across the Highlands of Scotland. It’s long, cold water, and logistically quite tricky. I thought it might be fun to build a small team and create our own wee bit of history, perhaps inspire others and raise money for great causes close to us in the process.” 

The physical demands are considerable, and Iain’s training reflects that: “10km is the Olympic marathon swim distance, and while there are established training routines to build up to one, there’s far less information available on how to train for ten of them back-to-back! The training is intense, hours long in duration and highly repetitive, which makes it as much a mental challenge as a physical one.  Any hardship, however, is short lived, unlike those we are representing who, suffer physically and mentally daily.” 

But Iain is quick to emphasise that this challenge isn’t about him alone: “I’m genuinely humbled to have the support and input of a hugely experienced and capable core group of people, along with the amazing support from our partners at Scottish Canals. From fitness and safety experts to friends, mentors, and family, it’s been a shared effort from the start. 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.” 

Supporting Iain in his challenge is Claire Maguire, she said: “It means the world to me and my boys that our incredible friend Iain is taking on this remarkable open water challenge in memory of Colin and other special friends. Iain’s challenge will raise vital funds for the BHF a cause very close to my heart. A charity that works tirelessly to fight heart disease and save lives. I’m proud beyond words of what he is doing. We will be cheering him on every stroke of the way!” 

Iain’s former teammate, Scott Hastings, is incredibly proud of his friend for taking on the challenge he said: “It’s with huge admiration that Iain is embarking on this amazing challenge in memory of my wife Jenny. She was an amazing swimmer and I am delighted that Iain has chosen the mental health charity, Mikeysline, one of the three benefitting charities of this groundbreaking challenge. The fact that monies raised will be used to support others who struggle with mental health in the Highlands, Island & Moray is tremendous, and I look forward to being part of Iain’s support team as he takes on this amazing feat!” 

John Paterson Scottish Canals CEO said: “This is the first time this challenge has been attempted on the Caledonian Canal and our teams have worked hard to ensure it is carried out as safely as possible. 

“With water moving through the canal there are lots of unseen hazards so it's been essential that our waterway operatives, safety professionals and Iain’s team align on this. We welcome everyone to enjoy our canals but they are not for swimming in – perhaps go Nessie hunting in a boat or canoe instead. 

“As Iain navigates his way along the route we do hope visitors will come and cheer him along and see for themselves why he has chosen the majestic Caledonian Canal as the location for his world record challenge. Our canal is a vital tourist route and is a perfect place for adventures taking on a challenge or for those looking for a much more leisurely pace of life.” 

Supporting Iain as an official partner in the challenge is Huub Design, who will be providing leading swimming gear and accessories to help make the challenge possible. 

To learn more about the challenge, or to support Iain's cause, please visit https://sea2sea.co.uk/