Rugby player completes first full swim of Caledonian Canal in memory of Jenny Hastings

Former professional rugby union player Iain Sinclair has become the first person to swim the full length of the Caledonian Canal – a challenge he took on in memory of Jenny Hastings.

Jenny, the wife of former Scotland rugby international Scott Hastings, took her own life last year age 60.

A keen athlete and mental health advocate, Jenny had gone missing in the water at Wardie Bay in Edinburgh after a swim. Her body was found in the area days later.

Earlier this month, Iain told BBC Breakfast that Jenny had “courageously battled” her mental health challenges and inspired many through her love of outdoor swimming.

He also dedicated the swim to his friend Colin Maguire, who died suddenly from a heart attack in 2024.

As he finished the 60-mile challenge in Inverness, he was greeted by an emotional Scott – who said on social media that he was “in total awe” of his friend.

On the day of her disappearance in September last year, Jenny had been visited by a mental health practitioner after her depression took a turn for the worse.

Scott had arranged to meet her in the afternoon for a swim in the Firth of Forth at her favourite spot in Wardie Bay.

During her dark days, Scott said it was a “place of healing” for her.

But when he realised he couldn’t see her and instead saw her buoyancy aid tethered nearby, he contacted the coastguard for help.

Jenny’s body was found five days later, on the couple’s wedding anniversary.

She had lived with depression for 20 years before she died, and Scott said there had been several scares before.

Scott and his family joined Iain’s support team as he took on the mammoth swim along the canal, which connects the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Other people have swum the individual lochs – such as Loch Ness – that form parts of the 200-year-old canal, stretching from near Fort William to Inverness.

But Iain got permission from Scottish Canals to pass through its four lochs and 29 lock gates.

The 48-year-old completed his swim in eight days – with around six hours spent in the cold water each day – finishing in Inverness on Monday.

The journey was captured in spectacular pictures by Iain’s friend Rob Eyton-Jones, who was also part of his support team.

He has raised £60,000 Crohn’s & Colitis UK, British Heart Foundation, and Mikeysline.

Scott previously told the BBC: “He’s been an inspiration for me and it’s just taking that legacy forward.

“Jenny would’ve loved to have seen Iain doing what he’s doing and would be so proud of him. I can’t wait to get onto the boat to support him.”