The buzz of trying to spot the mythical monster of Loch Ness draws thousands of people to the centre of Scotland, but this time it was the Sailors' Society's charity fundraiser that pulled in a lively but somewhat smaller-than-expected group of shipping folk to the remoteness of the Highlands.
A group of 11 canoeists battled tiredness and varying weather conditions to complete the 60-mile (96-kilometre) expedition earlier this month along the Great Glen Canoe Trail from Fort William to Inverness over four days, helping to raise nearly £19,300 ($25,200) for the maritime charity, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.
Global appeal
Paddlers from Cargill Ocean Transportation, Navarino and technology-evolution company Generation Alpha Ventures flew in from Bulgaria and Greece, respectively, to add to a smattering of UK-based shipping personnel from the likes of Bibby Line Group and LanoPro, while TradeWinds was also there sweating it out.
The total that has been raised so far prompted organiser Rebecca Bridgen of the Sailors’ Society to call the event “a huge success”.
“I felt it was a huge success, everyone came together and got so much out of it," she said.
"The money raised will be used to help our many programmes that we run to help seafarers across the world of any nationality.
"We will be running the challenge again in 2019 and will be taking interest ready for registrations in November."
Sadly for those dying to know, the hunt for "Nessie" continues.
