FORMER flanker for Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby Iain Sinclair has allied with Scottish Canals in hopes of becoming the first person to swim the full length of the Caledonian Canal.
The 48-year-old aims to tackle and overcome the full 60 miles of the Canal, including 29 locks, starting on September 15 and completing the challenge within 10 days.
He is raising awareness for three charities that hold a personal significance to him: Crohn’s & Colitis UK, British Heart Foundation, and mental health charity Mikeysline.
Sinclair said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
He has faced significant health challenges. Diagnosed with indeterminate colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, he underwent major life-changing surgery in 2013 to remove his colon and another operation to reverse the stoma 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 alongside his friend Colin Maguire, raising funds for Crohn’s & Colitis UK in the process.
In 2024, Maguire died of a sudden heart attack – and Sinclair also lost Jenny Hastings, the wife of his friend and former Watsonians and Edinburgh Rugby teammate Scott Hastings.
He is raising money for the British Heart Foundation and Mikeysline in their memory.
Claire Maguire, wife to Colin, in support of Sinclair, said: “It means the world to me and my boys that Iain is taking on this open water challenge in memory of Colin and other special friends.
“Iain’s challenge will raise vital funds for the British Heart Foundation, a cause very close to my heart.”
Also backing Sinclair is former teammate Scott Hastings, who said: “It’s with huge admiration that Iain is embarking on this amazing challenge in memory of my wife Jenny.
“I am delighted that Iain has chosen the mental health charity, Mikeysline, one of the three benefitting charities of this groundbreaking challenge.
“I look forward to being part of Iain’s support team as he takes on this amazing feat.”
Sinclair went on: “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’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.”
