Three Scottish brothers who set a world record after completing the fastest row across the Pacific have told STV’s Lorraine that the experience felt “like a dream”.
Jamie, Ewan and Lachlan Maclean spent 139 days at sea, rowing more than 9,000 miles non-stop and unsupported, setting a new world record for the fastest human-powered crossing of the Pacific Ocean.
The brothers set out to raise £1m through their Maclean Foundation to provide safe, clean water for 40,000 people in Madagascar.
They recieved the news that their target had been reached – thanks to more than 14,000 donors and some help from celebrity pals – after touching down in Edinburgh last week.
During a chat with avid supporter Lorraine Kelly, the brothers, live on a croft in the Highlands, said they had been blown away by the support.
“It was unbelievable”, middle brother Jamie explained.
PA Media“It couldn’t have happened in a better way. We’ve been blown away by the support, we’re speechless.
“It’s just been incredible throughout the whole row but then when we landed to have hit the million, that final push, we got the million pounds, 40,000 people now with clean water.
The brothers were inspired to raise £1m for clean water projects in Madagascar after seeing the difference between villages that had clean water and those that didn’t on a previous trip.
Oldest brother Ewan explained: “That just was so motivating for us that we really just wanted to do more.”
“Our target was was shooting for the stars”, Lachlan added.
PA Media“We’re super aspirational. We didn’t expect to get there but we said we would keep working until we got there.
“We haven’t actually processed it yet properly.”
Along the way, celebrities including actors, Ewan McGregor, and Sam Heughan, football legend Ally McCoist, British and Irish Lion Pierre Schoeman and TV presenters Danny Campbell, Anna Campbell Jones, Danny New and Gaby Roslin backed the campaign with personal video messages, urging the public to “take it home.”
There are now talks of a documentary and even a movie about their unbelievable journey.
“The whole thing’s felt like a bit of a dream, especially since we got home”, Jamie added.
“But those conversations, you know, you’re out in the middle of the Pacific, thousands of miles from land, and then you’re having a live chat with Mark or yourself or Ewan McGregor. You’re just like, what’s going on?”
Since touching down in Scotland, the brothers have been catching up on missed meals with their loved ones.
“We were dreaming of pizzas for 139 night shifts. That first taste of pizza was kind of surreal, overwhelming as well.
“Our mum charged down the jetty with a bowl of fruit after we landed but then it was pizza and beers.”
While talks have already turned to another challenge, the brothers say their next step will be going to Madagascar to show the impact of the project.
Donations can still be made at https://www.themacleanbrothers.com/
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