Modern day adventurers, Alan Rankin and Willie Gibson, have complete the 540-mile sailing leg of their great RL Stevenson-inspired adventure in Scotland. They have now set off on the 260-mile trek across Scotland.
The pair landed on the rocky island of Erraid on their way to be the first people to relive one of Scotland’s most iconic literary classics, Kidnapped.
The due left South Queensferry on May 20 in the same month, 130 years later, that Scottish author Stevenson completed what many believe to be his finest work. Kidnapped has not been out of print since it was published in 1886.
The sailing route tracked.
From South Queensferry, they sailed northwards passing Fife, the Bell Rock Lighthouse (a Stevenson family lighthouse) and on to Orkney. From there, their trimaran yacht was turned south and battled its way over open to seas to Cape Wrath and down the length of the Minch, passing outside Skye and Tiree before heading to the southwest corner of Mull.
Using modern technology to help tell an old tale, the pair are carring a satellite tracker that reports progress on their website www.kidnapped130.com
Alan said: “We have had a fantastic sail of 540 miles. Great winds followed by light winds and, adverse tides off the top of Orkney with amazing views too. We are delighted to be on land now and getting started on the walk.”
Alan and Willie.
The pair will trek, hike and run the 260 miles back to Edinburgh. The overland route crosses Mull, Morvern, Appin, Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, the Trossachs, Hillfoots and returns over the Forth to South Queensferry and then Edinburgh.
The challenge will raise funds for three charities: Parkinson’s UK, Ocean Youth Trust Scotland and Stevenson Adventures.
Penned in 1886 by R L Stevenson, Kidnapped tells the enduring tale of David Balfour’s kidnapping and subsequent adventure as he is smuggled around the coast of Scotland, surviving ship-wreck, witnessing the infamous Appin Murder, fleeing the Redcoats with Alan Breck Stewart across Scotland to South Queensferry and on to Edinburgh to claim his rightful fortune.
The challenge is expected to be completed within 18 days. Donations can be made online from www.kidnapped130.com Follow updates on Twitter @kidnapped130 or on Facebook.