By Chris Montford
In September 2026, eight of our members took on a challenge not for the faint-hearted…and all in aid of a great cause, raising over £4,000 for the Brain Tumour Support charity. Read more below from Chris Montford, who took on the challenge alongside Rob Pearson, Andy Irving, Alex King, Martin Winter, Ethan Bose, Nick Coward and Tim Borthwick.
“Ever thought the Long Row at the World Championships isn’t quite long enough? Or that the Great River Raceisn’t quite great enough?
Eight of us stood on the jetty at Glencoe, chatting to the wonderfully helpful Gordon from the local rowing club as he winched Wapping Wharf down the slipway and into Loch Leven. We couldn’t help but admire the view and wonder what the next week would bring. Would we make it from the Irish Sea to the North Sea?
Loch Leven, Loch Linnhe, Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and, of course, Loch Ness were no Floating Harbour. Big swells gave us waves to surf, and every stroke changed under us. If you ever wonder why you’re reminded to watch your oar in training, the lochs of Scotland are the proof.
And yes, the question we were asked most: it was a little dreich at some point every day. It didn’t matter. This was an adventure through a beautiful part of the British Isles. Ethan discovered he’s a natural lock keeper, operating the Corpach sea locks alongside the old sea dogs who run them. We found little oases along the way for a stretch and a coffee, marvelled at the SUP paddlers who do the whole route in 24 hours, and cheered on adventurous canoeists using groundsheets on sticks as sails.
Were 18 hours 50 minutes of rowing, 29 locks and 5 lochs worth the blisters, the waterlogged everything, the gig arse, the limescale removal and 20 hours in the minibus? Let’s go back to the start. Rob was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour, and he decided: “when I’m back in a boat, I’m going on an adventure”. So yes, it was very much worth it: adventure, challenge, mateship, rowing and a big screw you to brain tumours. Rob’s giving page is still active, so please donate if you can: Rob’s Justgiving Page
So next time you see Wapping Wharf out on the water, the Scotland stickers are a reminder of where she’s been, and the adventure we all had.”