A solo kayaker who embarked on an epic round-Scotland paddle to raise money for the RNLI has reached the north-east.
Nick Ray was taking a well deserved rest in Fraserburgh lifeboat station last night after completing the latest stage of his 2,015 journey which has taken him from the Solway Firth to the Banffshire Coast.
By the time he reaches Eyemonth near the Scottish Borders, Mr Ray will have visited all 47 RNLI stations in Scotland.
Last night the 52-year-old said: “I’m enjoying every second, even though the weather has been challenging at times. It has been an amazing experience right from the start.
“Just before Christmas I had a suspected heart attack while I was staying on an island and the Oban lifeboat came out and rescued me.
“Thankfully it wasn’t a heart attack, but it proved to me first hand how dedicated the crews were, coming out at 2am on a winter’s night.”
Mr Ray, who has been living on a yacht in the marina on the Isle of Kerrera, just off Oban, added: “People have been very generous – whenever I’ve pulled in to shore and told people what I’m doing they’ve reached into their pockets.”
The journey has so far been physically demanding and Mr Ray has not put himself under any time pressure – as that could lead to making the wrong decisions in the potentially treacherous waters.
The kayak for his expedition – which he has dubbed 2015 in 2015 – has been donated by Sea-Kayaking-Scotland.
He hopes to raise £5,000 for the RNLI and last night his total stood at more than £3,800.