A classic Scottish literary adventure is to be enacted, 130 years after it was published.
An unique charity challenge will bring the pages of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped to life next summer as two intrepid adventurers follow the route taken by the hero of the tale.
Alan Rankin and Willie Gibson will sail 500 miles from the Forth estuary, around Orkney then down the west coast landing on the rocky island of Erraid near Mull. From there they will hike and run the 260 miles back to Edinburgh.
Penned in 1886, Kidnapped tells the enduring tale of David Balfour’s kidnapping and adventure as he is smuggled around the coast of Scotland, surviving shipwreck, witnessing the infamous Appin murder then fleeing the Redcoats to claim his rightful fortune.
While they are up for adventure they are stopping short of the skulduggery and derring-do the book narrates.
“We are looking to recreate the great tale,” said Alan.
“In the book their ship is wrecked, David and Alan witness murder and flee for their lives pursued by Redcoats.
“We plan to do none of these things.“
Both he and Willie are veterans of adventure races and long-distance challenges.
In 2006 Alan became the first person to sail and cycle around Scotland and in 2013 he sailed singlehanded around the UK and Ireland stopping to run a 10k at 10 ports.
Meanwhile Willie has competed in more than 20 mountain marathons, tackled ultra-distance cross Scotland routes and completed the punishing 50-mile Ramsey Round.
Both are multiple winners of one of Scotland’s harshest adventure races, the Scottish Island Three Peaks race.
Now they are being Kidnapped for three charities – Parkinson’s UK, Ocean Youth Trust Scotland and Stevenson Adventures.
Alan said: “Kidnapped is one of my favourite books so to retrace the steps and relive the adventure seemed a good idea and it will be a first as we don’t think anyone else has ever attempted it.
“The trip combines my two passions of sailing and being in the hills plus connects with a story I have read more times than I care to count.”
Willie said he and Alan made a good team, with Alan in charge of the sailing leg and Willie leading the overland navigation and routing.
Gordon Jack and Richard Marshall will also support Alan and Willie during the sailing leg.
“We plan to keep as close as possible to the route described in the book,” said Willie.
“We will be wild camping and taking accommodation along the way in much the same way as the book’s leading characters David Balfour and Alan Breck Stewart.”
The challenge will take place in June and is expected to be completed within 16 days.
Donations can be made at www.kidnapped130.com.