Every Seven Days, He Goes Back to the Bay In Which His Wife Passed Away

The couple in happier times
Jenny and Scott initially connected while in their youth and spent 45 years side by side

Every seven days, former Scotland rugby international the athlete visits take a dip in the bay where his partner his spouse took her life.

He says this ritual brings him comfort and allows him to continue her memory by embracing her passion for swimming.

A little more than a twelve months prior, the 60-year-old disappeared in the water at the Edinburgh bay after going for a swim. Her body was recovered in the area a short time after.

"I long for Jenny daily," Scott stated. "Jenny possessed an incredible connection with people and probably focused on the wellbeing of others more than her own mental health."
She leading a charity initiative
She had spearheaded a charity campaign to support people improve their mental wellbeing

The couple believed in the healing power of exercise and even led socially distanced aerobics classes for their local community during lockdown.

That day of her disappearance in September 2024, Jenny had been seen by a mental health practitioner after her condition took a turn for the worse.

Scott had planned to join her in the later that day for a swim in the local waters at her favourite spot in the bay.

In her difficult periods, Scott noted it was a "sanctuary" for her.

However, as he noticed he couldn't see her and instead saw her safety equipment tethered close by, he called the emergency services for assistance.

She was located five days later, on the couple's wedding anniversary.

She had lived with mental health challenges for 20 years before she died, and he explained there had been multiple previous incidents before.

Scott with family at the bay
He, shown here, with his two children Corey and Kerry-Anne at Wardie Bay

Going back to Wardie Bay has become a regular practice and gives him time to reflect on the their long-lasting together.

"The fact that we swim where she took her final swim, it's very thought-provoking and resonant," he commented. "I'm not disguising the fact that it's difficult sometimes."

Now just over a twelve months after Jenny passed, Scott's ex- sports colleague a friend is taking on an extraordinary feat to collect funds in her memory.

He begins an attempt at traversing the 60-mile stretch of the Caledonian Canal which connects the eastern sea and the western ocean.

Caledonian Canal scenery

Iain is the first person to try to navigate the canal which cuts across the Highlands, from the west coast at a town near a location to the eastern shore at the city.

As a result, he will be in the chilly temperatures of the waterway, which connects man-made waterways and lakes, each day for up to six hours.

Iain stated Jenny had "courageously battled" her mental health challenges and inspired many through her love of outdoor swimming—"a sport she excelled in."

The swimmer preparing
He will be the pioneer to swim the entire Caledonian Canal

Although other people have swum individual lochs along the route, he has been given authorization from Scottish Canals to navigate all of the canal gates.

"In my view it'll just be about maintaining the body in good condition," he said. "At my age, not younger, and I think trying to do 10km—equivalent to a marathon swim—everyday for the next ten days will be the demanding part."

Part of the funds collected will be given to a mental health charity, in memory of Jenny.

The athlete in training
He will be in the cold water for up to several hours a day

Additionally, he is collecting donations 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 Colin Maguire.

He will be backed by a crew which features Scott, who mentioned he may join to swim with him for a few lengths along the route.

"In my opinion it's great because it raises wider awareness," said he. "Iain has been an motivation for me and it's just continuing that tradition forward."

"Jenny would have adored to have seen Iain doing what he's undertaking and would be extremely pleased of him. I look forward to get onto the support vessel to support him."

Kelly Bennett
Kelly Bennett

A passionate gamer and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in writing about video games and digital trends.