Three men in a boat
Three brothers embarking on an epic journey to cross the largest, deepest ocean on Earth, sounds like a story spun straight out of Hollywood. Only this time, it’s true — and it begins in Edinburgh, writes Harriet Bourhill
Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean, three brothers born and raised in Edinburgh, are on a mission to become the fastest team to row across the Pacific Ocean.
In 2020, having never rowed seriously before, they made headlines for rowing across the Atlantic and breaking three world records in the process, raising over £200,000 for charity. For their next challenge, on which they will embark in early April, the trio have set their sights on the most immense ocean on the planet — the Pacific.
To undertake such a mission requires an unquenchable thirst for adventure and a bold willingness to battle the elements; qualities that were firmly established in the brothers through their Edinburgh upbringing. All born at Edinburgh Simpson’s Hospital and raised near Hillend Ski Slope, the outdoors became their playground, and adventure was always within reach. Middle brother Jamie said, “Without PlayStations and with only a small TV, we spent our time exploring the Pentland Hills, which instilled in us a deep love for adventure, while Steiner School and Edinburgh Academy nurtured our curiosity and creativity.”
“The city nurtured our adventurous spirit in a safe setting, and we feel incredibly lucky to call it home,” says youngest brother Lachlan. “Edinburgh is beautiful, safe, internationally connected, yet intimate. That sense of privilege has guided our purpose — we believe we have an obligation to give back, to commit to something greater than ourselves. We were dealt an amazing set of cards from the start, and we want to use that to help others.”
In 2023, the brothers launched The Maclean Foundation with their father, Charlie Maclean, a world-class independent ambassador of whisky, awarded an MBE in 2021 for services to whisky and charity. The foundation’s mission is to provide clean water to communities in Madagascar, and the Pacific row aims to raise £1 million for the cause, giving over 30,000 people clean water for life.
“Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people worldwide still lack it,” says Jamie. “This expedition is about creating real, lasting change.” Their latest challenge will be a world first, for no team has rowed the full Pacific Ocean non-stop and completely unsupported. Beginning in Lima, Peru, in early April, the brothers will row 14,000 km (9,000 miles) to Sydney, Australia — a journey expected to take several months. And over the past year, all three have undergone rigorous physical training to build the strength and stamina required to row for more than 100 days.
“Mental resilience is just as critical — ocean rowing is as much about mental strength as it is about endurance,” says Lachlan. “We’ve been working with Chloë Lanthier, a world expert in human performance, whose guidance has been vital in preparing us for the extreme challenge ahead.”
The boat that will carry the brothers across the Earth’s largest waterway is specifically designed for ocean crossings. Equipped with solar-powered navigation systems, desalination units for drinking water, and freeze-dried food to sustain them for months, it is also built to withstand the extreme conditions of the Pacific. Every inch of the boat has been optimized for efficiency: lightweight but strong, self-righting in case of capsize, and fitted with a small cabin for shelter and much-needed rest.
“Our experience from the Atlantic Challenge has been invaluable,” Lachlan continues. “We learned firsthand how crucial sleep management, nutrition, and mental discipline are when spending months at sea. The Atlantic taught us how to navigate extreme fatigue, unpredictable weather, and the mental toll of isolation. We’ve refined our rowing strategies, improved our recovery techniques, and adapted our training to ensure we are more efficient and resilient for this even greater challenge.”
The destination of the brothers’ mission will be on the other side of the globe from Auld Reekie. But despite their great adventures, Caledonia will always be calling. “Edinburgh has always been home, no matter where life has taken us,” says eldest brother Ewan. “The more we’ve traveled, the luckier we feel to return.”
Find out more about the challenge at www.themacleanbrothers.com
This article featured in the March/April 2025 issue of Edinburgh Life.