Husband Stuart's 200-mile bike ride in memory of Marina: 'I just wanted to show how much she is missed'

A Caithness man who cycled 200 miles in one day in memory of his wife says the amount of money he has raised is a reflection of how much she was loved.

Stuart Swanson (47) rode to Skye in 15 hours at the weekend – braving a deluge and enduring some tough climbs – as a way of remembering Marina, who died in June 2020.

Marina, who was 44, was well known locally through her work with the countryside ranger service.

Stuart had set a target of £500 for two good causes that help people struggling with their mental health, especially those having suicidal thoughts. By this week the total had reached more than £11,000 and his online JustGiving page will remain open for another fortnight or so.

“I thought it would be popular but people are speaking about the cost of living squeeze and there's not that much spare cash, so I didn't want to set my total too high," Stuart said.

“I hoped to raise a bit more than £500 but I never thought it would be anywhere near where it is just now.

“I think it just shows how highly regarded Marina was, how loved she was.

“Everybody that knew her has been affected by losing her. I just wanted to show how much she is missed.”

Stuart, who farms at Tister, near Halkirk, is raising the money for Listening Ear Caithness and Mikeysline.

“The charities are available to support people and listen to their issues," he explained. "It's far more common, people struggling, than you think.

"People that are struggling should not feel ashamed or burdened by it – it's okay to seek help to get them through.”

Marina grew up in Erbusaig, near Kyle of Lochalsh, and Stuart wanted to cycle to her childhood home before continuing over the Skye Bridge to Kyleakin.

He set off from home just after 6.30am on Saturday and completed the journey shortly before 9.30pm. That amounted to just under 15 hours on the road with 11 hours and 33 minutes of moving time.

Stuart's route took him through Thurso, Strath Halladale, Syre, Altnaharra, Lairg, Bonar Bridge, the Struie, Dingwall, Strathpeffer, Achnasheen and Strathcarron then over the hills to Kyle. His dad Alistair drove a support car and Stuart had stops after every 45 miles.

“I started training about Christmas time," he said. "I had an idea that I would like to do it, but I didn't know if I would manage it.

“I was always quite confident getting to 120 or 150 miles, but on the road to Kyle you get to 180 miles and then you hit three serious hills.

“It certainly wasn't easy to get that far, but the bit I was most worried about was the last 20 miles before Kyle.

“It was a bit windy and I coped with the wind all right. Once I got to Dingwall it started to rain, and after a wee break in Strathpeffer the heavens opened. In the last 20 minutes it dried up a bit but there was a deluge going west, which it quite often is.

“I got quite a welcome from Marina's local family down there. Her brother Ian Ruari Finlayson was playing the pipes and her dad Ruari joined me on the bike for the last five miles.”

The couple were married for 15 years.

“Marina loved her job," Stuart said. "She loved wildlife, and the farm, and the Highlands, just anything connected to it.

“Lack of social contact hit Marina hard with lockdown. She was so outgoing and she kept up with so many people, always seeing friends and on the go with the kids and activities.

“At that stage her job was under threat as well. Help was so difficult to get during lockdown – services were very restricted."

Stuart completed the 66-mile Etape Loch Ness cycling event in April in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

"I felt quite good after it, I didn't feel totally knackered, so I thought this cycle was achievable," he said.

"I was never a cyclist before Marina's passing, really. The exercise on the bike helped me cope with the stress and it lifts your mood a bit.

"I like going out to Loch More and round the Altnabreac loop. I feel close to Marina there.

"She had a total love of life, but just circumstances and her health let her down."

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