I decided that to do something completely different for my 70th birthday

I had been sent a link to an adventure company who advertised canoeing across Scotland from Fort William to Inverness, and wild camping at night. My sister agreed to join me . I contacted them as luck would have it there were vacancies on my actual birthday.

Trip booked; training completed we met the team at Neptune’s staircase at Fort William,  we were taught paddling techniques,  health and safety and off we set on the Caledonian canal. Our first night was strange,  we erected own tents, ate al fresco and settled down on the banks of Loch Lochy,  That loch would be the only wild swimming I did.

Day 2 we paddled onto Loch Oich,

Day 3 we went onto Fort Augustus,  there we had the luxury of showers and toilets.

Day 4 from Fort Augustus to Loch Ness.  Loch Ness is 35 miles long so we had to paddle 3/4 of it so we could complete the trip on day five.

Because my sister and I have a strong connection with the Royal Marines, we chose this as the charity to benefit from our fundraising efforts which closed at £1,500.  We are so grateful to everyone who donated.

Brenda