Latest news with #Ewan
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ewan McGregor vows to join record-breaking brothers on water after epic Pacific challenge
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. 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. Last weekend marked 100 days of their non-stop, unsupported row to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar. 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. "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?" "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." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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." 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. 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." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "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.
RTÉ News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Rock star offers support to Scots brothers rowing across Pacific
A world-famous rock star has offered his support to three brothers who are attempting to row across the Pacific in record-time. Michael Balzary - better known by his stage name, Flea - is the bassist for Red Hot Chili Peppers, and is the latest celebrity to back Scottish brothers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean. On Sunday, the brothers marked 100 days of their non-stop, unsupported row from Peru to Australia in a bid to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar. The entire trip will be around 9,000 miles, and the Macleans are expected to complete their challenge within the next 20 to 30 days. Celebrities including actor Mark Wahlberg, rugby star Blair Kinghorn, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and actor and comedian Greg Hemphill have also backed the brothers. Ahead of the 100-day mark, Flea spoke with the brothers via a podcast, where they bonded over the challenge and revealed how living with your brothers or bandmates can lead to difficulties. Flea, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, said: "For us … (the Chili Peppers) we were together and touring for 10 years before we started becoming a really popular band and really making money. "Without those 10 years, if that would have happened in the beginning, we would have fallen apart right away. "I think it's really rare … Like, if you hear about a young artist that puts out their first record and they're a big success - very, very rarely do they continue on having a career that works. Something about just paying your dues. "Like you already rode across the Atlantic (the brothers completed this voyage in 2019). But I'm sure before you did that, you did a million little trips where you learned how to do it. Learned what it is to be stuck on a boat with each other for months. "There's days when we f***ing hate each other. And that's when it's really hard. When you can live together and everyone's getting along, it's this magical thing - you're this travelling entity and it's all love." The brothers' 28ft (8.5m) carbon fibre boat, Rose Emily, is named in memory of their late sister. It has no engine and no sail and the brothers are powering their way across the ocean in two-hour shifts. They left Peru in March on a mission to reach Australia and raise £1 million for clean water projects. While speaking with Flea, Lachlan spoke of how he was washed overboard during a violent storm. Lachlan, who turned 27 while rowing the Pacific, said he was "lucky" to be attached to his boat by a safety line during 40mph (64kmh) winds and 6m (20ft) waves last week. He was dragged along behind the craft before his brother Ewan, 33, was able to help him to scramble back on board. Flea also spoke about what drives him to keep performing after more than four decades with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He said: "There's definitely times when I'm running on fumes and I've got nothing. We've been doing this for 43 years or something. And you know, our performance is really physical. I try to stay in the best shape I can. But for me, emotionally, the whole thing is, I'm doing this to be of service. "I like money as much as the next person, but like a long time ago, I could have retired. I could be eating papayas, taking bong hits on the beach somewhere, you know? "It's a job to bring joy to people through music. And when I stay in that mindset … because there are so many nights where I'm sitting in a hotel room and it's like, 'I don't wanna get up'. "I don't wanna go face 50,000 people in the stadium and play a concert. But it's time to go. And it's like, OK, it's not about me. I feel like s***, I'm tired, I got the flu, whatever's going on with me - I'm heartbroken, my wife left me, whatever's going on - but it's like, I have to let go of my life completely and do it. "Be there for the people. Be there for my bandmates. And be there to honour the tradition of music." Jamie commented: "We've got a beautiful sunrise, we're sipping coffees out of baby beakers, and we're chatting to Flea. Doesn't get much better." They also swapped food stories, as the Macleans shared tales of freeze-dried meals prepped in Jamie's old school kitchen, while Flea reflected on years of bad roadside burgers. "For years and years, we toured in a van, sitting up all through the night, driving through the night for like six months on end," he said. "You kind of start feeling like a caged animal, just eating shitty food … roadside truck stop food, whatever you can get. "You always pull into town after a show, you're starving and there's just nothing to eat … but now we have it good. We eat like kings." The podcast, Dinner with the Macleans, is available on Spotify, and YouTube. The brothers have raised around £218,000 so far.
Rhyl Journal
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Rock star offers support to Scots brothers rowing across Pacific
Michael Balzary – better known by his stage name, Flea – is the bassist for Red Hot Chili Peppers, and is the latest celebrity to back Scottish brothers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean. On Sunday, the brothers marked 100 days of their non-stop, unsupported row from Peru to Australia in a bid to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar. The entire trip will be around 9,000 miles, and the Macleans are expected to complete their challenge within the next 20-30 days. Celebrities including actor Mark Wahlberg, rugby star Blair Kinghorn, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and actor and comedian Greg Hemphill have also backed the brothers. Ahead of the 100-day mark, Flea spoke with the brothers via a podcast, where they bonded over the challenge and revealed how living with your brothers or bandmates can lead to difficulties. Flea, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, said: 'For us … (the Chili Peppers) we were together and touring for 10 years before we started becoming a really popular band and really making money. 'Without those 10 years, if that would have happened in the beginning, we would have fallen apart right away. 'I think it's really rare … Like, if you hear about a young artist that puts out their first record and they're a big success — very, very rarely do they continue on having a career that works. Something about just paying your dues. 'Like you already rode across the Atlantic (the brothers completed this voyage in 2019). But I'm sure before you did that, you did a million little trips where you learned how to do it. Learned what it is to be stuck on a boat with each other for months. 'There's days when we f***ing hate each other. And that's when it's really hard. When you can live together and everyone's getting along, it's this magical thing — you're this travelling entity and it's all love.' The brothers' 28ft (8.5m) carbon fibre boat, Rose Emily, is named in memory of their late sister. It has no engine and no sail and the brothers are powering their way across the ocean in two-hour shifts. They left Peru in March on a mission to reach Australia and raise £1 million for clean water projects. While speaking with Flea, Lachlan spoke of how he was washed overboard during a violent storm. Lachlan, who turned 27 while rowing the Pacific, said he was 'lucky' to be attached to his boat by a safety line during 40mph (64kmh) winds and 6m (20ft) waves last week. He was dragged along behind the craft before his brother Ewan, 33, was able to help him to scramble back on board. Flea also spoke about what drives him to keep performing after more than four decades with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He said: 'There's definitely times when I'm running on fumes and I've got nothing. We've been doing this for 43 years or something. And you know, our performance is really physical. I try to stay in the best shape I can. But for me, emotionally, the whole thing is, I'm doing this to be of service. 'I like money as much as the next person, but like a long time ago, I could have retired. I could be eating papayas, taking bong hits on the beach somewhere, you know? 'It's a job to bring joy to people through music. And when I stay in that mindset … because there are so many nights where I'm sitting in a hotel room and it's like, 'I don't wanna get up'. 'I don't wanna go face 50,000 people in the stadium and play a concert. But it's time to go. And it's like, OK, it's not about me. I feel like shit, I'm tired, I got the flu, whatever's going on with me — I'm heartbroken, my wife left me, whatever's going on — but it's like, I have to let go of my life completely and do it. 'Be there for the people. Be there for my bandmates. And be there to honour the tradition of music.' Jamie commented: 'We've got a beautiful sunrise, we're sipping coffees out of baby beakers, and we're chatting to Flea. Doesn't get much better.' They also swapped food stories, as the Macleans shared tales of freeze-dried meals prepped in Jamie's old school kitchen, while Flea reflected on years of bad roadside burgers. 'For years and years, we toured in a van, sitting up all through the night, driving through the night for like six months on end,' he said. 'You kind of start feeling like a caged animal, just eating shitty food … roadside truck stop food, whatever you can get. 'You always pull into town after a show, you're starving and there's just nothing to eat … but now we have it good. We eat like kings.' The podcast, Dinner with the Macleans, is available on Spotify, and YouTube. The brothers have raised around £218,000 so far. To donate, click here.
South Wales Guardian
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Rock star offers support to Scots brothers rowing across Pacific
Michael Balzary – better known by his stage name, Flea – is the bassist for Red Hot Chili Peppers, and is the latest celebrity to back Scottish brothers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean. On Sunday, the brothers marked 100 days of their non-stop, unsupported row from Peru to Australia in a bid to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar. The entire trip will be around 9,000 miles, and the Macleans are expected to complete their challenge within the next 20-30 days. Celebrities including actor Mark Wahlberg, rugby star Blair Kinghorn, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and actor and comedian Greg Hemphill have also backed the brothers. Ahead of the 100-day mark, Flea spoke with the brothers via a podcast, where they bonded over the challenge and revealed how living with your brothers or bandmates can lead to difficulties. Flea, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, said: 'For us … (the Chili Peppers) we were together and touring for 10 years before we started becoming a really popular band and really making money. 'Without those 10 years, if that would have happened in the beginning, we would have fallen apart right away. 'I think it's really rare … Like, if you hear about a young artist that puts out their first record and they're a big success — very, very rarely do they continue on having a career that works. Something about just paying your dues. 'Like you already rode across the Atlantic (the brothers completed this voyage in 2019). But I'm sure before you did that, you did a million little trips where you learned how to do it. Learned what it is to be stuck on a boat with each other for months. 'There's days when we f***ing hate each other. And that's when it's really hard. When you can live together and everyone's getting along, it's this magical thing — you're this travelling entity and it's all love.' The brothers' 28ft (8.5m) carbon fibre boat, Rose Emily, is named in memory of their late sister. It has no engine and no sail and the brothers are powering their way across the ocean in two-hour shifts. They left Peru in March on a mission to reach Australia and raise £1 million for clean water projects. While speaking with Flea, Lachlan spoke of how he was washed overboard during a violent storm. Lachlan, who turned 27 while rowing the Pacific, said he was 'lucky' to be attached to his boat by a safety line during 40mph (64kmh) winds and 6m (20ft) waves last week. He was dragged along behind the craft before his brother Ewan, 33, was able to help him to scramble back on board. Flea also spoke about what drives him to keep performing after more than four decades with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He said: 'There's definitely times when I'm running on fumes and I've got nothing. We've been doing this for 43 years or something. And you know, our performance is really physical. I try to stay in the best shape I can. But for me, emotionally, the whole thing is, I'm doing this to be of service. 'I like money as much as the next person, but like a long time ago, I could have retired. I could be eating papayas, taking bong hits on the beach somewhere, you know? 'It's a job to bring joy to people through music. And when I stay in that mindset … because there are so many nights where I'm sitting in a hotel room and it's like, 'I don't wanna get up'. 'I don't wanna go face 50,000 people in the stadium and play a concert. But it's time to go. And it's like, OK, it's not about me. I feel like shit, I'm tired, I got the flu, whatever's going on with me — I'm heartbroken, my wife left me, whatever's going on — but it's like, I have to let go of my life completely and do it. 'Be there for the people. Be there for my bandmates. And be there to honour the tradition of music.' Jamie commented: 'We've got a beautiful sunrise, we're sipping coffees out of baby beakers, and we're chatting to Flea. Doesn't get much better.' They also swapped food stories, as the Macleans shared tales of freeze-dried meals prepped in Jamie's old school kitchen, while Flea reflected on years of bad roadside burgers. 'For years and years, we toured in a van, sitting up all through the night, driving through the night for like six months on end,' he said. 'You kind of start feeling like a caged animal, just eating shitty food … roadside truck stop food, whatever you can get. 'You always pull into town after a show, you're starving and there's just nothing to eat … but now we have it good. We eat like kings.' The podcast, Dinner with the Macleans, is available on Spotify, and YouTube. The brothers have raised around £218,000 so far. To donate, click here.
North Wales Chronicle
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Rock star offers support to Scots brothers rowing across Pacific
Michael Balzary – better known by his stage name, Flea – is the bassist for Red Hot Chili Peppers, and is the latest celebrity to back Scottish brothers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean. On Sunday, the brothers marked 100 days of their non-stop, unsupported row from Peru to Australia in a bid to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar. The entire trip will be around 9,000 miles, and the Macleans are expected to complete their challenge within the next 20-30 days. Celebrities including actor Mark Wahlberg, rugby star Blair Kinghorn, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and actor and comedian Greg Hemphill have also backed the brothers. Ahead of the 100-day mark, Flea spoke with the brothers via a podcast, where they bonded over the challenge and revealed how living with your brothers or bandmates can lead to difficulties. Flea, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, said: 'For us … (the Chili Peppers) we were together and touring for 10 years before we started becoming a really popular band and really making money. 'Without those 10 years, if that would have happened in the beginning, we would have fallen apart right away. 'I think it's really rare … Like, if you hear about a young artist that puts out their first record and they're a big success — very, very rarely do they continue on having a career that works. Something about just paying your dues. 'Like you already rode across the Atlantic (the brothers completed this voyage in 2019). But I'm sure before you did that, you did a million little trips where you learned how to do it. Learned what it is to be stuck on a boat with each other for months. 'There's days when we f***ing hate each other. And that's when it's really hard. When you can live together and everyone's getting along, it's this magical thing — you're this travelling entity and it's all love.' The brothers' 28ft (8.5m) carbon fibre boat, Rose Emily, is named in memory of their late sister. It has no engine and no sail and the brothers are powering their way across the ocean in two-hour shifts. They left Peru in March on a mission to reach Australia and raise £1 million for clean water projects. While speaking with Flea, Lachlan spoke of how he was washed overboard during a violent storm. Lachlan, who turned 27 while rowing the Pacific, said he was 'lucky' to be attached to his boat by a safety line during 40mph (64kmh) winds and 6m (20ft) waves last week. He was dragged along behind the craft before his brother Ewan, 33, was able to help him to scramble back on board. Flea also spoke about what drives him to keep performing after more than four decades with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He said: 'There's definitely times when I'm running on fumes and I've got nothing. We've been doing this for 43 years or something. And you know, our performance is really physical. I try to stay in the best shape I can. But for me, emotionally, the whole thing is, I'm doing this to be of service. 'I like money as much as the next person, but like a long time ago, I could have retired. I could be eating papayas, taking bong hits on the beach somewhere, you know? 'It's a job to bring joy to people through music. And when I stay in that mindset … because there are so many nights where I'm sitting in a hotel room and it's like, 'I don't wanna get up'. 'I don't wanna go face 50,000 people in the stadium and play a concert. But it's time to go. And it's like, OK, it's not about me. I feel like shit, I'm tired, I got the flu, whatever's going on with me — I'm heartbroken, my wife left me, whatever's going on — but it's like, I have to let go of my life completely and do it. 'Be there for the people. Be there for my bandmates. And be there to honour the tradition of music.' Jamie commented: 'We've got a beautiful sunrise, we're sipping coffees out of baby beakers, and we're chatting to Flea. Doesn't get much better.' They also swapped food stories, as the Macleans shared tales of freeze-dried meals prepped in Jamie's old school kitchen, while Flea reflected on years of bad roadside burgers. 'For years and years, we toured in a van, sitting up all through the night, driving through the night for like six months on end,' he said. 'You kind of start feeling like a caged animal, just eating shitty food … roadside truck stop food, whatever you can get. 'You always pull into town after a show, you're starving and there's just nothing to eat … but now we have it good. We eat like kings.' The podcast, Dinner with the Macleans, is available on Spotify, and YouTube. The brothers have raised around £218,000 so far. To donate, click here.
