Kidnapped - 130 years on

2016 is the 130th anniversary of the publication in 1886 of the literary classic Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. The book tells the enduring tale of David Balfour’s kidnapping and subsequent adventure as he is smuggled around the coast of Scotland, surviving ship-wreck off Mull then making his way back overland with Alan Stewart-Breck to South Queensferry and Edinburgh to claim his rightful fortune.
In the summer of 2016 a team of four will retrace the steps of David Balfour; sailing from South Queensferry, around the north of Orkney down the Minch to the island of Erraid, off Mull. From Erraid the team will retrace by foot the 270 miles back to South Queensferry. The overland leg will cross some of the wildest and stunning landscapes in Scotland.

SAILING   :   540 nautical miles 4.5 days. Average day 122 nm
WALKING:   273 MILES 14.5 days, 33,816 ft climb. Ave day 18.2 miles 2,254 ft

The Yacht

Trade Winds is a racing Trimaran and was fully refitted in 2013 prior to completing a 2,400 voyage around the UK & Ireland and has twice won the Scottish Islands Three Peaks Race All Rounder’s class. Trade Winds is fitted out for passage racing and has been sailed extensively by the K130 Team. She has reached speeds of 17 knots and will make a good passage time around Scotland cruising at speeds of 9-12 knots. She is fully fitted with the latest navigational and safety equipment, new rigging, sails and communications.

The Route

By Sea:

The sailing passage will be unaided and non-stop.

• Hawes Inn South Queensferry on the Forth near Edinburgh heading northwards up the east coast of Scotland to Orkney.
• Turning south at North Ronaldsay the crew will head for Cape Wrath and down The Minch passing to the west of Skye.
• From Skye heading south east passing to the south of Coll and Tiree then land at the island of Erraid at the south west corner of Mull.

By Land:

As in the terms of the book the challenges will make their way by foot camping out in the hills, taking shelter and accommodation along the way.

• By foot across Mull and ferry to Morvern.
• Northwards crossing Loch Linnhe to Appin and from there eastwards by Glencoe, Rannoch Moor and The Trossachs to the Forth Valley.
• Skirting Stirling, along the Hillfoots and on to cross the Forth at Limekilns returning to South Queensferry and on to Edinburgh. 

The Team

Left to right:
Willie Gibson: Willie has completed more than twenty mountain marathons at elite level. He is a three times Scottish Islands Three Peaks winner. Willie has completed the punishing Ramsey Round in twenty two hours, run the 180 mile route across Scotland from Montrose to Inverary and the 140 mile route from Glenfinnan to Ullapool. Willie is president of Carnethy Hill Running Club

Alan Rankin: The project leader is an ex international athlete, seven times Scottish Decathlon champion, four time winner of the Scottish Islands Three Peaks Race. Alan has successfully project managed and completed two major endurance challenges: First ever singlehanded circumnavigation of Scotland by sail and cycle. First ever full singlehanded circumnavigation of UK and Ireland with 10x10k runs at ten ports. www.soloroundbritain.com

Richard Marshall will support Alan and Willie during the sailing leg. Richard is a veteran of the Scottish Islands Peaks race and yacht owner with extensive long distance cruising and racing experience.