Scottish Brothers Set World Record for Fastest Pacific Crossing
Cairns, Australia — On Saturday, August 30, 2025, three Scottish brothers, Jamie, Ewan, and Lachlan Maclean, etched their names into the history books by completing the fastest unsupported row across the Pacific Ocean, arriving at Cairns Marlin Marina in Australia after a grueling 139-day journey. The Edinburgh-born trio covered over 9,000 miles non-stop from Peru, becoming the first team to row from South America to Australia, surpassing the previous record of 160 days set by Russian solo rower Fyodor Konyukhov in 2014.
The Maclean brothers, aged 33, 31, and 27 respectively, faced relentless challenges during their expedition, including violent storms, seasickness, injuries, and a harrowing incident where Lachlan was swept overboard during 40mph winds and 6-meter waves. Fortunately, a safety line and quick action by his brother Ewan ensured his safe return to their custom-built carbon fiber vessel, Rose Emily, named in tribute to their unborn sister.
The brothers rowed in two-hour shifts aboard the 280kg boat, designed with ocean rowing legend Mark Slats to be the lightest and strongest of its kind. Their journey, dubbed the Rare Whisky 101 Pacific Row, began in April at Lima’s Yacht Club Peruano, accompanied by a Peruvian Navy brass band and Jamie’s bagpipe performance. The team faced near-constant threats, from storms to a marlin that tailed their boat, raising fears it could pierce the hull. Toward the end, dwindling food supplies added to their ordeal, with Jamie noting, “We seriously thought we might run out of food.”
Despite the hardships, the Macleans’ spirit remained unbroken. They rowed into Cairns playing bagpipes and waving Scottish, Australian, and United Kingdom flags, greeted by over 50 family members, supporters, and their mother, Sheila. Ewan, the eldest, described the journey as “the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” while Jamie called it an “incredible, relentless, and often surreal experience.” The brothers emphasized how their familial bond and shared mission kept them united through the toughest moments.
Beyond breaking records, the Macleans aimed to raise £1 million ($1.35 million) for their charity, the Maclean Foundation, founded with their father, whisky writer Charles Maclean MBE. The foundation focuses on providing clean water to communities in Madagascar, where only 14% of the Ambohimanarina municipality has access to safe drinking water. So far, they’ve raised over £790,000 ($1.06 million), with plans to fund boreholes for 40,000 people. The brothers’ efforts have garnered support from celebrities like Mark Wahlberg, Ewan McGregor, and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea, as well as inspiring gestures like residents at Edinburgh’s Chamberlain Care Home taking up rowing lessons.
The Macleans, who previously set records as the youngest and fastest trio to row the Atlantic in 2020, said the Pacific crossing gave them a new perspective on life. “We’ve shed tears of joy and laughed till our cheeks hurt,” Ewan shared. As they recover, the brothers plan to continue fundraising, with Jamie humorously noting his immediate desire upon landing: “All I want is a pizza.” Their journey stands as a testament to human endurance, brotherhood, and a commitment to making a difference.