Ewan McGregor vows to join record-breaking brothers on water after epic Pacific challenge

Daily Record

5 days ago

Brothers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean are currently aiming to row 14,000km from Peru to Australia and have been backed by actor Ewan McGregor.
Ewan McGregor has backed a trio of brothers aiming to raise £1million on a record-breaking row across the Pacific - and vowed to join them on the water when they return to Scotland.
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Brothers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean are currently aiming to row 14,000km from Peru to Australia in a boat they built themselves - faster than anyone ever has before.
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Last weekend marked 100 days of their non-stop, unsupported row to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar.
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In a chat with the brothers, McGregor has now revealed plans to join the Maclean Brothers for a row on their return to Scotland, inspired by their extraordinary ocean crossing.
The A-list actor told how he had dreamed of an ocean journey ever since reading about early solo circumnavigations of the globe.
"I've no idea what it feels like to be where you are now," he told the brothers in a call from London, "but I've always dreamed about it.
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"The documentary you made about crossing the Atlantic was fantastic. I thought it was brilliant. I watched it because I've got a little plan.
"I'm not particularly interested in breaking records or being the first person to do something. I think that's all amazing and great. But where is adventure in our time, when most things have already been done?"
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"What I'd like is to find out what it feels like. And I'm sure where you are right now is as close to the pinnacle of adventure as you can get - because you're just out there on your own, the three of you.
"There's no help if you need it. You're totally self-reliant. It's so fucking impressive. I'm really inspired by the three of you. It's incredible."
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On Sunday, Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean marked 100 days since leaving Peru on a rowing boat set for Australia. Now approaching Fiji, this crossing has been incredibly tough as they navigate salt sores, sleep deprivation, horrendous weather and isolation. It's all to raise £1M for clean water projects in Madagascar.
The Trainspotting and Star Wars star shared with them a story from Norway, where a young fan approached him and Charley Boorman to thank them for their films.
He said: "This guy in his early 20s came up to us and said, 'I watched your show lying on my dad's lap when I was a kid - and that's why I'm doing this.' We couldn't believe how old it made us feel. But I just love it."
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He added "In this world where we're increasingly just looking down at our phones, I love the idea of encouraging people to get out and see it."
The conversation - during which McGregor quizzed the brothers on everything from energy sources to toilet tactics - began with Jamie playing McGregor Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
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Jamie, 31, also confided in Ewan about his nerves over playing the pipes on arrival in Australia - just as they did when they arrived in Antigua when the brothers broke three world records crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 2020.
"I'm more worried about my lips going," he said. "By the time we get to Australia, we'll have rowed halfway around the world. If I can't play them when we arrive, it's a bit of a disaster. Just dribbling down my front."
The call ended with a promise. "When we finally make it home," said middle brother Jamie, "because we will be bringing the boat back to Scotland - let's go for a row, if you're up for it. Loch Lomond, the west coast - wherever you're based."
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"I'd love that," McGregor replied. "I'd absolutely love that."
The brothers' 28ft carbon fibre boat, Rose Emily, is named in memory of their late sister. As it has no engine and no sail, the brothers are pulling their way across the ocean in two-hour shifts.
The trio from Edinburgh broke records in January 2020, when they became the first three brothers to row across any ocean, and the youngest and fastest trio to row across the Atlantic ocean in their 35 day trip.
Now, in a journey they have called the Rare Whisky 101 Pacific Row, they hope to become the quickest to cross the Pacific in just 120 days - 42 days quicker than the current record.
The brothers have raised around £218,000 so far.