About The Challenge

A World First: The Great Caledonian Swim

Former professional rugby player Iain Sinclair has teamed up with Scottish Canals to take on a deeply personal and ambitious challenge, while aiming to set a world record in the process.

This September, the former Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby flanker will attempt a historic swim across Scotland, covering the entire 60-mile length of the Caledonian Canal. His route includes all 29 locks, stretching from the Atlantic waters at Corpach, Fort William, to the North Sea waters at Clachnaharry, Inverness.

This feat has never been accomplished before. Others have swum individual lochs and rivers along the route, but none have made it through the entire canal and lock systems until now. For the first time ever, event partners Scottish Canals have granted special permission for a swimmer to pass through all canal gates, allowing Sinclair to swim every inch of the waterway. This makes it a true world-first, sea-to-sea swim across Scotland.

The loss of two good people in 2024 has shaped the purpose of this challenge.

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 grassroots, Highland mental health charity.

As a dad of three, Iain is passionate about using this challenge to inspire others, especially those facing health battles of their own to find strength, push boundaries, and reclaim their wellbeing.

More Than a Swim: Why It Matters

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 Iain’s Words

“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.”

It’s Not Just About Me — It’s About Us

This is not a solo adventure. It is a team effort, as all meaningful challenges in life are.

Whether in rugby, in family life, in business, or the charity sector, Iain’s journey has always been supported and shaped by incredible teams. The Sea2sea challenge is no different. From safety crews and media professionals to charity partners and lifelong friends, this swim is made possible by a dedicated group of people, all working toward one shared goal.

“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.”

Meet the team

Great Caledonian Swim
60 Miles - 4 Lochs - 29 Locks

A Challenge with Purpose
The Sea2sea swim is an opportunity to:

Achieve a world first—an uninterrupted swim across Scotland through canal and loch.

Inspire others—to overcome personal setbacks and health challenges.

Raise vital funds and awareness—for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, the British Heart Foundation, and Mikey’s Line

Celebrate the power of teams—in sport, in life, and in community.

This is a swim through the heart of Scotland, driven by the spirit of collective resilience. Join the journey. Support the team. Be part of history.