I am a Scottish ultra-marathon swimmer who specialises in cold-water, long-distance swims along the Scottish coastline.

In August 2026 I will attempt one of the hardest channel crossings in the world: the North Channel, swimming from Donaghadee in Northern Ireland to Portpatrick in Scotland. It is roughly twenty-one miles of cold, tidal water that has turned back many experienced swimmers. If I complete the swim, I will become the first person from Portpatrick to make the crossing.

Most of my swimming takes place in the wild. Tides that turn without warning, cold that bites deep and coastlines that offer no easy retreat. Over the years I have earned three BLDSA records, but they are really just milestones along the way rather than the reason I swim.

Alongside the channel attempt, I am also working on a long-term project close to home, becoming the first person to swim the full length of the Rhins, the southernmost peninsula of southwest Scotland. Each stage of the swim is officially observed and recorded, slowly building a documented path around the coastline.

Preparing for swims like this is fairly simple, but it takes time and consistency. Winter sea miles, long pool sessions, strength work, and regular exposure to rough water are all part of the routine. The goal is always the same, to arrive at the start line ready for whatever the sea decides to do that day.

Channel swims also come with practical costs. Pilot boats, crew support, safety cover and equipment are all necessary for swims of this scale. This page exists simply to help with those expenses as I prepare for the North Channel attempt. If you would like to support the journey, I would be very grateful.

A portion of any support raised will also go to the Sting Rays, our local children’s swimming club based at the Ryan Centre pool in Stranraer. It is a small club with a lot of determination behind it, and the pool is an important part of the local community.

Swimming gave me discipline, resilience and direction when I needed it most, and I want to support the next generation and help make those same opportunities possible for them. Supporting the club helps keep young swimmers in the water and gives them the opportunity to grow and develop their passion for the sport.

If you choose to support the journey, thank you. It genuinely means a great deal. Every bit of help makes the journey possible.

However it unfolds, my approach has always been simple: to show up, do the work, and respect the water. Every mile is earned, and every swim is part of a much bigger journey.

And there is still a long way to go.