I am no stranger to extended challenging adventurous expeditions. A quick perusal on this website of my previous achievements will show I have a zest for exploration, wild solitude and an insatiable curiosity for what is possible.

On the 1st January 2025, I will set off from the Mull of Galloway, the southerly point of mainland Scotland and walk to Dunnett Head, the northerly point of mainland Scotland, via the easterly point at Keith Inch (Peterhead), the westerly point at Corrachadh Mòr (Ardnamurchan) and the centre of mainland Scotland close to the eastern foot of the mountain of Schiehallion.

Expedition Purposes.

Primarily, this expedition will be the formal launch and fundraising drive for the charitable foundation I am currently develping - the LifeAfloat Foundation. The foundation will provide grants to any person over the age of fifty, who is seeking adventure to help them through a difficult or challenging phase of their life. In addition there will be mentored support on offer, to facilitate their adventure, offering advice and highlighting the benefits of their endeavours.

Further information about the LifeAfloat Foundation will be published as soon as the charity has been formerly incorporated in Scotland and legally established with the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Secondly, I am embarking on this unusual challenge to raise awareness about mental health and living well despite the presence of mental ill health. In particular, I will be raising awareness of the importance of suicide prevention.

I’m a man who lives with chronic and enduring clinical depression which can be debilitating to live with. I find immersing myself in Nature and enjoying various adventures, helps me live with the illness and enhances my sense of living a fulfilling life.

Expedition Route.

I have researched a likely route using Ordnance Survey mapping. The criteria for planning the route took into account the following factors:

• It holds personal interest for me.

• It leads me through sections of Scotland I would not normally choose to walk through. For example, the ‘Flow Country’ in the far north east of Scotland.

• It leads me past many sites of historical interest, particularly prehistoric, late Iron Age settlements and Pictish symbol stones.

• It offers the opportunity to traverse high mountains if conditions are favourable.

• It offers many opportunities to meet people on the way.

• Much of it is as wild and remote as possible.

• It avoids much of the coastline which I’ve kayaked along on previous expeditions. Except the Fife Coastal Path which has been high on my tick list for many years.

• It may be physically demanding and offer considerable challenges.

• Careful route planning, sound decision making and good navigation skills will be required.

• It offers me the opportunity to fly my brand new single skin, lightweight ‘hike and fly’ paraglider whenever conditions allow.

• I think I might be walking a route which may not have been attempted before.

The route is not set in stone and similar to my kayaking adventures, I will respond to the conditions at the time, how I am feeling and and my inclinations in the moment.

Equipment.

This will be an expedition of minimal needs and requirements. I will be contending with the cold and unpredictable Scottish winter weather, so I need to pay attention to personal warmth and nighttime comfort. I’m confident I will achieve this. After all, I survived the winter of 2022/23 living from a sea kayak and kayaking the Scottish West Coast! I am choosing to bivouac and not use a tent because I want to experience the challenge of this experience. My version of a bivouac will be the use of a waterproof ‘bivvy bag’ in conjunction with a lightweight waterproof ‘bivvy sheet’ (tarpaulin). My walking poles will be used as supports for the shelter I create every night. With my sea kayaking skills in keeping essential items dry, I’m confident I’ll have dry clothes to don and a dry sleeping bag to climb into every night. My cooking and eating apparatus will be minimal and lightweight. Certainly enough to meet my needs to brew hot drinks and cook my dehydrated food. I will be well equipped with good winter clothing and waterproof wear. I will also carry the necessary equipment to address any emergency situations I may face.

I will also be carrying a single skin Air Design UFO2 paraglider with lightweight harness, emergency reserve and a helmet. These will add bulk to my carrying load but I’m prepared to account for this, in the hope I will enjoy some wonderful flights from the high mountains during the expedition.

Personal Experience.

Many people will know of me as a man who is a passionate sea kayaker. However, I’m also highly experienced in mountaineering and backpacking. In fact my first solo adventure was walking the Pennine Way from north to south in 1982 when I was nineteen years old as part of an overall 900 mile walking expedition around northern England that year. I went on to work for Outward Bound for many years where I lead groups through the mountains in Wales, the Lake District, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. I used to be an avid fell runner too.

I am a novice paragliding pilot, though I did gain my glider pilot license when I was 16 and before I could legally drive a car. The paragliding aspect will add a frisson of excitement and true adventure to the expedition.

Following Me ‘Live’.

I will be using my YB Tracker which emits a GPS location every hour or thirty minutes while I’m walking. You can view previous routes HERE.

If You Would Like To Help.

When the LifeAfloat Foundation has been legally established, you can make a donation to the charity through an online charitable giving page I will establish.

Alternatively, you may wish to offer patronage assistance to my expedition by making a small donation for which I will be hugely grateful. This will help cover equipment and food costs throughout the expedition.

The items I’m requiring include a sound pair of walking boots, a new waterproof jacket, a portable wind turbine to recharge electrical items, the set of Ordnance Survey maps which cover my designated route, credits and line rental for my YellowBrick GPS tracker.

You are welcome to meet me anywhere en-route and I will welcome your company anytime.

Please help me spread the word of this adventure and the reasons why I’m undertaking it. I will truly appreciate this support.

There Will Be Further Information To Come. Please Bookmark This Page And Return From Time To Time To Keep Up To Date.

Thank You For Your Interest And Support.