Every Seven Days, He Goes Back to the Bay In Which His Spouse Passed Away
Every seven days, former Scottish sports star Scott Hastings returns to swim in the bay where his partner his spouse took her life.
He says the practice brings him solace and enables him to carry on her legacy by adopting her love for open water swimming.
A little more than a year ago, the 60-year-old went missing in the water at Wardie Bay after taking a swim. Her body was found in the region days later.
"I miss Jenny every day," he shared. "Jenny possessed an incredible connection with others and likely focused on the wellbeing of others more than her own emotional state."
They believed in the healing power of exercise and even organized outdoor aerobics classes for their neighbors during lockdown.
That day of her disappearance in last year, Jenny had been seen by a mental health practitioner after her depression worsened for the worse.
Scott had arranged to meet her in the later that day for a swim in the local waters at her favourite spot in Wardie Bay.
During her difficult periods, he said it was a "place of healing" for her.
However, as he realised he did not spot her and instead spotted her buoyancy aid tethered nearby, he called the emergency services for assistance.
She was located five days later, on the their marriage milestone.
She had experienced mental health challenges for 20 years before she died, and Scott explained there had been multiple scares before.
Returning to the bay has become a regular practice and allows Scott time to reflect on the couple's 45 years together.
"The fact that we swim where she took her final swim, it's very reflective and meaningful," he commented. "I'm not disguising the fact that it's tough at times."
Now more than a twelve months after Jenny died, his former Edinburgh Rugby teammate a friend is undertaking an exceptional challenge to raise money in her memory.
He starts an effort at traversing the lengthy stretch of the Scottish waterway which connects the eastern sea and the western ocean.
He is the first person to attempt to swim the waterway which traverses the Scottish region, from the west coast at a town near a location to the east coast at the city.
This means, he will be in the cold water of the waterway, which links man-made waterways and lakes, everyday for up to six hours.
Iain stated Jenny had "bravely fought" her mental health challenges and inspired many through her love of outdoor swimming—"an activity she excelled in."
Although other people have completed individual lochs along the way, he has been given special permission from Scottish Canals to navigate all of the canal gates.
"In my view it'll just be about keeping the body in good condition," he said. "At my age, not younger, and I think trying to do a long distance—like a marathon swim—daily for the next ten days will be the challenging part."
A portion of the money raised will be donated to a mental health charity, in memory of Jenny.
Additionally, he is raising money for Crohn's disease and colitis, following his own personal medical struggles, and for the a heart charity after the sudden death of his close friend a friend.
He will be supported by a crew which includes his friend, who mentioned he might join to accompany Iain for a few lengths along the route.
"I think it's great because it raises greater attention," said he. "Iain has been an inspiration for me and it's just taking that legacy onward."
"Jenny would've loved to have witnessed Iain attempting what he's undertaking and would be extremely pleased of him. I can't wait to get onto the boat to cheer on him."
