Solo Sea Kayak Journey Around The Scottish Coastline Completed

Nick Ray has made a remarkable solo sea kayak 2015 mile (about 3 243 kilometres) journey around the Scottish coastline. Visiting each of Scotland's forty seven R.N.L.I. lifeboat stations. He set off on the 2,015-mile trip in May from the Scottish village of Kippford on the Solway Firth (Scottish Gaelic: Tràchd Romhra) in Dumfries and Galloway (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phrìs is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh) in south-west Scotland. Travelling clockwise he completed his journey in Eyemouth on the Scottish south east coast taking four months and six days. The objective was to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI).

The RNLI provides, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service around the coasts of the British Isles and Ireland, along with some inland loch's and river's and also a seasonal lifeguard service. The National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (later changing name to the RNLI) was founded in 1824 by William Hillary who was motivated by witnessing major loss of life by shipwreck in the Irish Sea from his home on the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin). Since 1824 lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. 

Congratulations to Nick whose trip took him through some of the most treacherous waters around the British Isles. He has described liking: "nothing more than to immerse myself in the wild landscapes of Scotland where the combined human and natural heritage have innumerable tales to tell"  Here is a link to his fund raising page.