So I'm sat here on the train to start the long journey northwards to Scotland wondering how we came up with the idea of trying to get an 18ft Canadian canoe from one side of Scotlnd to the other unsupported.

It started with my brother wanting to do something for charity and suggesting we walk across Scotland. As the idea developed I made an ill advised joke about using the canoe that was sat in the garden and before I knew it this was what we were doing.

The route has gone through several changes, all harder than the previous unfortunately, to end with a 250km route starting in Mallaig on the west coast and ending in Perth on the east coast, via loch and river but with over 20km of portage across pathless hills.

We will be carrying all our own kit and other than stopping occasionaly to buy food (and for the required evening in the Clachaig Inn) will be self-sufficient for the trip.

That means we have lots of shiny outdoor gadgets, kit and clothing so I will fill you in on how it all works throughout the trip ( as long as the powermonkey does its job that is).

You can follow our trip on here, but my brother will be blogging as well about the trip and his charity and I will post a link soon. Our route is under the event on this site so go have a look, we will try to update our position as often as we can.