A fundraising kayaker is continuing his journey past the Caithness coastline despite a rudder problem having him seek the safety of Freswick Bay on Sunday.

Stuart Marshall is paddling around Scotland to help raise money for a motor neuron disease charity called My Name'5 Doddie and is currently travelling south along the eastern part of the county.

Stuart said: "As we come out of this latest lockdown I have committed to a fundraising trip in my sea-kayak. I think it's about 1700km around the Scottish mainland and I might need eight weeks to complete the challenge."

To date, his Just Giving page has raised close to £5000 for Doddie Weir's MND Foundation and Stuart is asking for donations to help fund research into what he calls a "little understood" condition.

"This terminal condition is little understood, significantly reduces people's quality of life, and is unrelenting. Research into condition management and ultimately into a cure needs funding urgently," he said.

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"My likely arduous experience in undertaking this long distance paddle is nothing in comparison to the diagnosis one of my neighbours received in 2020. All the best to Judy."

Stuart started out from Aboyne and paddled down the Dee to Aberdeen, then turned right and followed the coast down to the Scottish/English border. His son provided the transport across to the Solway Firth. Then he travelled up the west coast on the outside of Skye and then round Cape Wrath.

Gordon Milne, a former contributor to the Groat and Courier when he lived in Caithness over 20 years ago, captured the images produced here when the kayaker was seen at Thurso beach. He said he recalls processing his own black and white stills for the paper.

"Seen here at Thurso around 1400km into the trip and with about 400 km to go," said Gordon about the pictures. "To date he has raised almost £5000. The crux of the route was getting through the Pentland Firth and, after getting though some big waves, going round St John's Point."

Gordon learnt that the bid was in trouble when Stuart's kayak developed a rudder problem and he had to make it to the safety of Freswick on Sunday evening. Yesterday saw him back on form and paddling across a windy Sinclair Bay.

Stuart is delighted with the charity contributions and online comments which he says have far exceeded his expectations. "I'm really chuffed to see everyone enjoying my adventures, and giving so generously."

The charity page for donations is at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stuart-marshall10

Stuart's Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/A-solo-sea-kayak-journey-around-Scotland-MayJune-2021-109757571247808/

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