Fundraising canoeist visits Orkney

A canoeist who embarked on a fundraising trip up the length the Scottish Mainland has, this week, extended his journey to the Orkney islands, stopping off in the county this week.

Mick Hunter arrived on the Orkney Mainland in his 15-ft open-top canoe  yesterday after a grueling solo journey from the Mull of Galloway to Dunnet Head. Mick says he set himself the target of making the journey over two months but he pushed on and managed to complete the challenge in half that time.

He also says that, to his knowledge he is the first person to make the journey, which covers sea, rivers and lochs, in an open-top canoe.

Not one to rest on his laurels, after reaching Dunnet Head Mick decided to travel on to Hoy and then the Orkney mainland, spending just one night in Kirkwall, before setting off for North Ronaldsay this morning.

He says although the journey has been lonely at times he has had some stunning experiences with Scotland’s wildlife, including being bumped by a basking shark and seeing dolphins jumping.

Mick, a former Royal Marines Commando himself, undertook the challenge in aid of the charity Help for Heroes. For more information or to donate to the charity visit Mick’s website here.