Latest news with #TheMacleanFoundation
CTV News
06-08-2025
- CTV News
Three brothers, one boat, a potential world record and a 9,000-mile mission for clean water
The Maclean brothers – from left, Lachlan, Jamie and Ewan – train together in 2024. (Courtesy the Maclean brothers via CNN Newsource) Most people would be somewhat alarmed at the prospect of spending over 100 days alone with their siblings, let alone if they had to do so on a cramped boat in the middle of the ocean. But three Scottish brothers think their familial bond is pivotal in their mission to complete the fastest-ever unsupported three-man row across the Pacific Ocean. The trio of Ewan, Jamie, and Lachlan Maclean are now in the final stretch of their 9,000-mile journey across the Pacific, made in pursuit of both a world record and the goal of raising £1m to fund clean water projects in Madagascar. In 2020, the brothers looked for a way to support charities fighting for clean drinking water around the world and thought of the potential impact of undertaking a big physical challenge. As such, the Macleans decided to row the Atlantic Ocean, setting a record in the process by crossing in just 35 days. Once back on dry land, they realized their mission for clean water was not over and quickly decided that the best way to promote the cause was to go one step further and 'take on the biggest body of water on the planet,' they recalled to CNN Sports on their 101st day at sea. They set out from Peru's capital, Lima, on April 13 with the initial goal of reaching Sydney, Australia, by August 2. Their family-run, non-profit organization, The Maclean Foundation, works to secure clean water for communities through pairing up with partner organizations in Madagascar to build boreholes. The Pacific challenge aims to raise awareness and funding to build boreholes for the whole of the Ambohimanarina municipality in Madagascar, where currently only 14% of the population has access to safe, clean drinking water. The aim for the brothers is to provide clean water for over 40,000 people. 'We want to have a positive impact on other people, that is ultimately what this journey is about,' Ewan, 33, said. 'Seeing the donations come in and the messages of support have really helped us through some pretty bleak times.' F1 technology The Macleans' boat, Emily-Rose – named in tribute to their unborn sister – was co-designed by the brothers and the Ocean Rowing Company and built using Formula One technology. Constructed entirely of carbon fiber, the vessel weighs just 280 kg (about 617 pounds) unladen, a stark contrast to the 2,200-pound boat they previously used to cross the Atlantic. The team used a 3D printer to create customized components and, thanks to its ultra-lightweight build, the boat can ride waves like a surfboard. The reduced weight has also allowed the Macleans to carry 150 days-worth of food and supplies, enabling them to complete the challenge without stopping to re-stock. The brothers spent two years training for the challenge, undergoing immense mental and physical preparation, including logistical feats such as home cooking and dehydrating over 1,000 meals. 'I had sleepless nights leading up to us departing because I was convinced that we maybe got the packaging wrong or hadn't done the process right,' Jamie, 31, admitted. One key aspect was working with Chloe Lanthier, an elite multi-sport athlete and human physiology scientist for the NASA space program – she has formerly worked with tennis star, Rafael Nadal – 'She designed the whole program to help us stay physically fit but also with a lot of mental exercises,' the brothers said. 'We spent a lot of time writing down what our greatest fears were; one of those was if someone went overboard,' they added. That fear became a reality two weeks ago, when 40mph winds and what the brothers described as 20-foot waves swept Lachlan, 27, overboard. 'Everything was thrown everywhere. I thought we were going over,' Ewan recounted. The youngest Maclean was switching shifts with Ewan during the night when he was suddenly thrown overboard and found himself being dragged behind the boat. He felt totally 'at the mercy of the sea,' before his eldest brother was able to pull him back onboard thanks to a safety line he was attached to. 'We had three knockdowns (when the boat turns approximately 90 degrees on its side and then re-balances),' Jamie said, adding that the terrifying incident was 'a bit of an awakening.' 'Thankfully, we didn't roll it all the way over.' International attention With support from an active shore-based team and a social media posting routine, the brothers have also become something of a viral sensation. Their extraordinary journey has captured the attention of celebrities, including actors Mark Wahlberg and Ewan McGregor, as well as Flea, bassist and co-founder of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 'This is real man sh*t you guys are doing,' Wahlberg told the brothers during a video call. 'It is awe inspiring.' The actor has been tracking their journey closely, checking in with them twice and even suggesting that the Hemsworth brothers – actors Chris, Liam and Luke – should portray the trio in a film adaptation of their journey. McGregor, 54, has also expressed strong support, promising to join the brothers for a row once they return home to Scotland. Many of these conversations have been uploaded onto their podcast, 'Dinner with the Macleans.' With the help of their on-shore team, replicas of the onboard meals are sent to celebrity guests, who then join the brothers on a video call for humorous and, at times profound, conversations. When asked about the idea behind the podcast, the brothers joked: 'We are somewhat like a think-tank without a tank out here – there are a lot of thoughts but no container.' Their momentum continues to grow. The Macleans' Instagram account, filled with videos and vlogs documenting life at sea, has now surpassed 133,000 followers. Recently, the brothers fulfilled a teenage dream by live-streaming Jamie's bagpipe performance from the boat for the prominent rock band, the All-American Rejects, during their headline act at Fandom's Comic-Con party. When asked about the public recognition, Jamie told CNN Sports: 'I can't really put it into words. It really helps us feel that what we're doing out here has meaning.' 'Being brothers has been a huge benefit to us' For the Macleans, a close relationship has become one of their most valuable assets in facing the challenge. 'We are able to speak very directly to one another,' Jamie said. 'Good communication has been key to this journey.' Now over the 100-day mark, the brothers have found this chapter of their voyage the most testing. After getting caught in a cyclone in early July, rapidly shifting weather systems have continued to push them further north from their planned course. The weather has brought large waves and heavy rain, meaning that the team has had to deal with consistent setbacks. On July 27, the brothers posted an emotional video that offered a glimpse into the intense mental strain they have faced during this final stretch. Jamie tearfully said on camera that 'the last couple weeks have been really hard, but the last few days have been horrible.' Their official ship's logs of that day recounted the challenging nature of the weather they were coming up against. 'We always knew that this part of the crossing would be the most challenging,' the log reads. In describing a relentless easterly wind, Jamie wrote, 'no matter how hard I try, every attempt to push west, or south, or even north, is in vain.' The team was eventually forced to deploy a para-anchor and accept the adverse weather. 'The whole journey is a test of endurance, but it is just so uncomfortable. Every aspect of every waking and sleeping moment is there to challenge you,' Jamie said. Despite the extreme challenges, the brothers have been able to stay positive, often finding moments of joy in the harshest of times. 'It is not all grim,' Jamie noted. 'There are just utterly magical moments out here.' 'We've seen remarkably so few other forms of human life,' he said, noting that they have only seen five planes and a handful of boats since setting off from Peru. 'It is really just us and nature, and the vast expanse of the Pacific surrounding us.' With roughly 1,000 nautical miles left, the team is pushing toward Sydney, hoping to reunite with friends and family before September. These last miles will be easier because they are brothers, the Macleans told CNN Sports. All three are fully aligned to the larger mission at hand and in day-to-day decision-making. 'Trying to row across this ocean and raise one million pounds (about US$1.33 million) to provide 40,000 people with water. That's just that's so important to all three of us. And we are all together on that – it makes it much easier,' Ewan said.
CNN
06-08-2025
- CNN
Three brothers, one boat, a potential world record and a 9,000-mile mission for clean water
Most people would be somewhat alarmed at the prospect of spending over 100 days alone with their siblings, let alone if they had to do so on a cramped boat in the middle of the ocean. But three Scottish brothers think their familial bond is pivotal in their mission to complete the fastest-ever unsupported three-man row across the Pacific Ocean. The trio of Ewan, Jamie, and Lachlan Maclean are now in the final stretch of their 9,000-mile journey across the Pacific, made in pursuit of both a world record and the goal of raising £1m to fund clean water projects in Madagascar. In 2020, the brothers looked for a way to support charities fighting for clean drinking water around the world and thought of the potential impact of undertaking a big physical challenge. As such, the Macleans decided to row the Atlantic Ocean, setting a record in the process by crossing in just 35 days. Once back on dry land, they realized their mission for clean water was not over and quickly decided that the best way to promote the cause was to go one step further and 'take on the biggest body of water on the planet,' they recalled to CNN Sports on their 101st day at sea. They set out from Peru's capital, Lima, on April 13 with the initial goal of reaching Sydney, Australia, by August 2. Their family-run, non-profit organization, The Maclean Foundation, works to secure clean water for communities through pairing up with partner organizations in Madagascar to build boreholes. The Pacific challenge aims to raise awareness and funding to build boreholes for the whole of the Ambohimanarina municipality in Madagascar, where currently only 14% of the population has access to safe, clean drinking water. The aim for the brothers is to provide clean water for over 40,000 people. 'We want to have a positive impact on other people, that is ultimately what this journey is about,' Ewan, 33, said. 'Seeing the donations come in and the messages of support have really helped us through some pretty bleak times.' The Macleans' boat, Emily-Rose – named in tribute to their unborn sister – was co-designed by the brothers and the Ocean Rowing Company and built using Formula One technology. Constructed entirely of carbon fiber, the vessel weighs just 280 kg (about 617 pounds) unladen, a stark contrast to the 2,200-pound boat they previously used to cross the Atlantic. The team used a 3D printer to create customized components and, thanks to its ultra-lightweight build, the boat can ride waves like a surfboard. The reduced weight has also allowed the Macleans to carry 150 days-worth of food and supplies, enabling them to complete the challenge without stopping to re-stock. The brothers spent two years training for the challenge, undergoing immense mental and physical preparation, including logistical feats such as home cooking and dehydrating over 1,000 meals. 'I had sleepless nights leading up to us departing because I was convinced that we maybe got the packaging wrong or hadn't done the process right,' Jamie, 31, admitted. One key aspect was working with Chloe Lanthier, an elite multi-sport athlete and human physiology scientist for the NASA space program – she has formerly worked with tennis star, Rafael Nadal – 'She designed the whole program to help us stay physically fit but also with a lot of mental exercises,' the brothers said. 'We spent a lot of time writing down what our greatest fears were; one of those was if someone went overboard,' they added. That fear became a reality two weeks ago, when 40mph winds and what the brothers described as 20-foot waves swept Lachlan, 27, overboard. 'Everything was thrown everywhere. I thought we were going over,' Ewan recounted. The youngest Maclean was switching shifts with Ewan during the night when he was suddenly thrown overboard and found himself being dragged behind the boat. He felt totally 'at the mercy of the sea,' before his eldest brother was able to pull him back onboard thanks to a safety line he was attached to. 'We had three knockdowns (when the boat turns approximately 90 degrees on its side and then re-balances),' Jamie said, adding that the terrifying incident was 'a bit of an awakening.' 'Thankfully, we didn't roll it all the way over.' With support from an active shore-based team and a social media posting routine, the brothers have also become something of a viral sensation. Their extraordinary journey has captured the attention of celebrities, including actors Mark Wahlberg and Ewan McGregor, as well as Flea, bassist and co-founder of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 'This is real man sh*t you guys are doing,' Wahlberg told the brothers during a video call. 'It is awe inspiring.' The actor has been tracking their journey closely, checking in with them twice and even suggesting that the Hemsworth brothers – actors Chris, Liam and Luke – should portray the trio in a film adaptation of their journey. McGregor, 54, has also expressed strong support, promising to join the brothers for a row once they return home to Scotland. Many of these conversations have been uploaded onto their podcast, 'Dinner with the Macleans.' With the help of their on-shore team, replicas of the onboard meals are sent to celebrity guests, who then join the brothers on a video call for humorous and, at times profound, conversations. When asked about the idea behind the podcast, the brothers joked: 'We are somewhat like a think-tank without a tank out here – there are a lot of thoughts but no container.' Their momentum continues to grow. The Macleans' Instagram account, filled with videos and vlogs documenting life at sea, has now surpassed 133,000 followers. Recently, the brothers fulfilled a teenage dream by live-streaming Jamie's bagpipe performance from the boat for the prominent rock band, the All-American Rejects, during their headline act at Fandom's Comic-Con party. When asked about the public recognition, Jamie told CNN Sports: 'I can't really put it into words. It really helps us feel that what we're doing out here has meaning.' For the Macleans, a close relationship has become one of their most valuable assets in facing the challenge. 'We are able to speak very directly to one another,' Jamie said. 'Good communication has been key to this journey.' Now over the 100-day mark, the brothers have found this chapter of their voyage the most testing. After getting caught in a cyclone in early July, rapidly shifting weather systems have continued to push them further north from their planned course. The weather has brought large waves and heavy rain, meaning that the team has had to deal with consistent setbacks. On July 27, the brothers posted an emotional video that offered a glimpse into the intense mental strain they have faced during this final stretch. Jamie tearfully said on camera that 'the last couple weeks have been really hard, but the last few days have been horrible.' Their official ship's logs of that day recounted the challenging nature of the weather they were coming up against. 'We always knew that this part of the crossing would be the most challenging,' the log reads. In describing a relentless easterly wind, Jamie wrote, 'no matter how hard I try, every attempt to push west, or south, or even north, is in vain.' The team was eventually forced to deploy a para-anchor and accept the adverse weather. 'The whole journey is a test of endurance, but it is just so uncomfortable. Every aspect of every waking and sleeping moment is there to challenge you,' Jamie said. Despite the extreme challenges, the brothers have been able to stay positive, often finding moments of joy in the harshest of times. 'It is not all grim,' Jamie noted. 'There are just utterly magical moments out here.' 'We've seen remarkably so few other forms of human life,' he said, noting that they have only seen five planes and a handful of boats since setting off from Peru. 'It is really just us and nature, and the vast expanse of the Pacific surrounding us.' With roughly 1,000 nautical miles left, the team is pushing toward Sydney, hoping to reunite with friends and family before September. These last miles will be easier because they are brothers, the Macleans told CNN Sports. All three are fully aligned to the larger mission at hand and in day-to-day decision-making. 'Trying to row across this ocean and raise one million pounds (about $1.33 million) to provide 40,000 people with water. That's just that's so important to all three of us. And we are all together on that – it makes it much easier,' Ewan said.
Scotsman
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Ocean-rowing sons and whisky writer dad launch limited-edition charity whisky for Father's Day
A new limited-edition single malt from the Isle of Raasay Distillery is the latest charity bottling from The Maclean Foundation – and every bottle sold will provide clean water for life to a person in Madagascar. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This five-year-old single cask whisky, matured in virgin Chinkapin oak and bottled at a cask strength of 61.1% ABV, is the third in a series of single malt releases by the charity, which was founded by whisky writer Charles Maclean MBE and his three sons – world record-breaking ocean rowers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean. The launch celebrates a major milestone -- the Maclean brothers are now half way across the Pacific having spent 59 days rowing at sea. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Youngest brother Lachlan commented: 'On Father's Day, we'd normally enjoy a dram with dad. The thought of getting to enjoy our new whisky with him will make us row a little faster.' Charles Maclean Just 246 bottles are available, exclusively from Royal Mile Whiskies, Scotland's leading independent specialist Scotch retailer. As with previous Maclean Foundation whiskies – with Glen Scotia and Ardnamurchan– all profits will fund clean water boreholes in rural Madagascar through the charity's local partner, Feedback Madagascar. Charles Maclean MBE, who selected the cask at the Isle of Raasay Distillery, said: 'This partnership is rooted in gratitude — to the industry that's given me so much, and to a place with poetry and purpose in its bones. 'The island, the spirit, and the generosity of this cask reflect everything we hope to do – to connect people through whisky and turn drams into lasting positive impact.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The label, created by creative agency Contagious, features Maclean's own words and memories, written in a style that blends flavour notes with storytelling. It recalls a dram enjoyed at the summit of Dùn Caan – Raasay's flat-topped peak – with a nod to James Boswell's historic 1773 dance there. Ewan, Jamie, Charlie and Lachlan Maclean Charles added: 'It's a sensory time capsule. The smell of sphagnum moss, dry peat hags and distant sea mingling with mellow, savoury notes of the whisky. The taste is bracingly salty with a long, spicy finish to warm the heart.' The whisky is made using unpeated spirit and water sourced from the island's 'Well of the Pale Cow' – which runs through some of the oldest geological formations in the world, including Archean gneiss and Jurassic sandstone. It is matured in a virgin Chinkapin oak cask, air-dried and heavily charred to develop aromatic complexity. Isle of Raasay Distillery – the island's first legal distillery – was founded in 2017 by whisky blender and botanist Alasdair Day and entrepreneur Bill Dobbie. In the years since, it has won acclaim for both its spirit and its visitor experience, and now employs over 25% of the island's population. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Alasdair Day, co-founder of Isle of Raasay distillers, said: 'We're honoured to collaborate with The Maclean Foundation, whose work is transforming lives by providing something as fundamental as clean water. That mission resonates deeply with us at Raasay, where water is at the core of our whisky-making, it imparts a purity and mineral richness that shapes every drop of our spirit. Matured in a bold, characterful Chinkapin virgin oak cask, this whisky captures the essence of our island and process, and we're proud that it will help bring lasting impact far beyond our shores.' Ewan, Charlie, Lachlan and Jamie Maclean The Maclean Foundation was established after the brothers' world record-breaking 2019/20 Atlantic crossing. It will be a few months before the brothers get to enjoy a dram of their new whisky – they're currently on a 9,000-mile row across the Pacific Ocean to raise £1 million for clean water projects. The Foundation works with Feedback Madagascar to fund the construction of boreholes in Madagascar, one of the country's most susceptible to the impact of climate change in the world. Each one costs around £6,000 and can supply clean water to 200 people for up to 100 years. So far, they've funded more than 20, helping thousands of people.
.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26trim%3D0%2C0%2C0%2C0%26crop%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Mark Wahlberg has now thrown his support behind the brothers, saying he is "inspired" by the trio and has offered to play one of them in a film.
Watch as the Maclean brothers, speaking from the 'most remote place on the planet', show what life on board their ocean rowing boat is really like - including how they give each other hair cuts. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Three brothers from Edinburgh are attempting a world-record row across the Pacific Ocean and are now closer to astronauts in the International Space Station (ISS) than to any land. Ewan, Jamie, and Lachlan Maclean are taking on the 9,000-mile, unsupported journey from Lima to Sydney in an effort to raise £1 million for clean water projects in Madagascar via their charity, The Maclean Foundation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Find out more about the Maclean brothers' challenge by watching Episode 42 of Unconventional Brits on demand now on the Shots! website here . Life on board the Rose Emily - named in memory of their late sister - involves blistered hands, extreme isolation and broken kit, but a surprise video call with a Hollywood star has lifted their spirits. Life on board the Maclean brothers' ocean rowing boat often involves blistered hands, extreme isolation and broken kit. | National World - Local TV Maclean brothers' video call with Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg has now thrown his support behind the brothers, saying he is "inspired" by the trio and has offered to play one of them in a film. Wahlberg said: 'What you guys are doing is next level. You're living out a sense of purpose - combining passion with impact. That's rare, and it's humbling to watch. People need to hear about what you're doing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I couldn't be more inspired by the grit, the determination, the resiliency. What you guys are doing for such an amazing cause, and how hard you're willing to sacrifice yourself and your own wellbeing for the good of others, is so inspiring. "For you guys to do this under your own free will - it's pretty crazy. Some would say we might need to give you a couple of psychological examinations.' The actor, who owns restaurants in Sydney and the Gold Coast, also promised the brothers a meal at the finish line.
Edinburgh Live
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh brothers in world-record-breaking row bid backed by Hollywood star
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A trio of Edinburgh brothers attempting a world-record-breaking row across the Pacific Ocean have been backed by Hollywood star, Mark Wahlberg. Ewan, Jamie, and Lachlan Maclean still have over 5,000 miles still to go to reach Sydney but received a welcome boost when they got a surprise call from The Perfect Storm star who hinted that their story could make it onto the big screen one day. Wahlberg connected with the three brothers over faith, family, and resilience. He pledged to help raise awareness for their mission. He said: "When I was preparing to do The Perfect Storm , I went out on a sword boat — in Ocean City, Maryland, a longliner, and we were actually fishing. We caught some pretty big tuna — 500, 600 pounder. I don't know how you guys are gonna wrestle that thing onto that boat, man. Oh my gosh. 'What you guys are doing is next level. You're living out a sense of purpose – combining passion with impact. That's rare, and it's humbling to watch. People need to hear about what you're doing. 'I couldn't be more inspired by the grit, the determination, the resiliency. What you guys are doing for such an amazing cause, and how hard you're willing to sacrifice yourself and your own wellbeing for the good of others, is so inspiring. For you guys to do this under your own free will – it's pretty crazy. Some would say we might need to give you a couple of psychological examinations.' The actor, who has restaurants in Australia, even promised to have a good meal waiting for the brothers when they row into Sydney. The Macleans expect to spend more than 100 days on board their 28-foot carbon fibre boat which they named Emily Rose in honour of their late sister. Rowing in two hour shifts, they're surviving on freeze-dried meals and desalinated water. Ewan Maclean, who left his job as a Dyson engineer to help design and build the boat, said: 'It's been much harder than we expected but today we had dolphins surfing near the boat, and that lifted our spirits — and then we hear we get to speak to Mark Wahlberg, so spirits are absolutely through the roof. 'We are such big fans, and speaking to him is like a dream come true for us. It's so cool… but it's bloody surreal.' Lachlan, who will turn 28 next week, is the youngest of the trio. He added: 'We're all operating in such little sleep that we thought it all could have been a hallucination.' The brothers, who previously set three world records rowing the Atlantic in 2020, are rowing for The Maclean Foundation, their charity supporting clean water projects in Madagascar. You can follow their journey and donate to their cause here.
