On a brisk Saturday morning in Cairns, Australia, the world watched as three Scottish brothers—Ewan, Jamie, and Lachlan Maclean—completed a feat few could have imagined: rowing unsupported across the entire Pacific Ocean, from Peru to Australia, in record time. Their arrival on August 30, 2025, marked the end of a 139-day, five-hour, and 52-minute odyssey spanning more than 9,000 miles, shattering the previous world record and making them the first team ever to row this full route from South America to Australia.
The brothers, hailing from Edinburgh, Scotland, were greeted at the Cairns Marlin Marina by a jubilant crowd of more than 50 friends, family members—including their mother Sheila—and ardent supporters. As they rowed into port, the Macleans played the bagpipes and waved the Scottish, Australian, and United Kingdom flags, a stirring display of pride and relief after nearly five months at sea (NPR).
Their journey began on April 12, 2025, when the trio set off from Lima, Peru, cheered on by hundreds of well-wishers and even the Peruvian Navy brass band. Their custom-built, 280kg carbon fibre vessel, named Rose Emily in honor of their late sister, was launched from Yacht Club Peruano. The brothers rowed in two-hour shifts, pushing themselves up to 14 hours a day, with no resupplies or safety boat shadowing their progress (The Independent).
“This won’t surprise anybody—but all I want is a pizza,” joked Jamie, 31, as he set foot on dry land. “Things got tough towards the end and we seriously thought we might run out of food. Despite how exhausted we were, we had to step up a gear and make it before supplies ran out, but now we get to eat proper food. Ocean rowing has given us newfound appreciation for things we used to take for granted—like going for a shower, lying in bed, or simply leaning on something stationary. It was the most incredible, relentless and often surreal experience of my life.” (Sky News, The Independent)
The physical and mental challenges were relentless. Ewan, 33, and Jamie suffered from severe seasickness during the first two weeks, and at one harrowing moment, Lachlan—who turned 27 while at sea—was swept overboard during a night shift. Ewan managed to pull him back onto the boat, a moment the brothers later described as terrifying but ultimately strengthening their bond (Sky News, NPR).
“This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I couldn’t have even contemplated it without my brothers,” said Ewan, reflecting on the ordeal. “There have been countless setbacks to overcome, some leaving us lost, but we’ve always lifted each other up. We’ve shed tears of joy and laughed till our cheeks hurt. And at times we’ve cried with sadness and with fear, but our spirits have been lifted, time and time again, by the support of so many rallying behind us.” (The Independent, NPR)
The brothers’ achievement eclipsed the previous record set by Russian solo rower Fedor Konyukhov, who completed a crossing from Chile to Australia in 2014 in 159 days, 16 hours, and 58 minutes. The Macleans not only finished the journey 20 days faster, but they also covered a greater distance, making their accomplishment even more remarkable (The Independent, NPR).
Preparation was key. On board Rose Emily, the brothers carried 500kg of food—including 75kg of oats and a menu of high-calorie comfort meals. But as the days dragged on, their supplies dwindled, and the specter of hunger loomed. “We seriously thought we might run out of food,” Jamie admitted, echoing the anxiety that grew in the final stretch (Sky News, NPR).
This wasn’t the Maclean brothers’ first brush with oceanic glory. In 2020, they conquered the Atlantic Ocean, setting three world records, including becoming the first trio of brothers to row any ocean together, the youngest trio, and the fastest trio to row from the Canary Islands to Antigua. That journey raised more than £200,000 for charity and inspired their next, even bolder mission (Sky News, The Independent).
Their latest Pacific crossing was more than a test of endurance—it was a mission with a purpose. The brothers set out to raise £1 million for The Maclean Foundation, a clean water charity they founded with their father, whisky writer Charles Maclean MBE. Their efforts have already raised over £800,000, with the funds earmarked to provide clean water to 40,000 people in Madagascar (Sky News, NPR, The Independent).
Lachlan, the youngest, was quick to point out that their work is far from finished. “We’ve completed the row but the journey isn’t over. We have a charity target of £1 million,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of their cause (Sky News).
The Rare Whisky 101 Pacific Row, as the expedition was dubbed, garnered support from celebrities and the public alike. Actor Mark Wahlberg called the trio “warriors,” while Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea was among those cheering them on. Even residents at Chamberlain Care Home in Edinburgh took up rowing lessons in solidarity with the brothers—an effort Jamie described as “humbling” (The Independent).
Throughout the ordeal, the brothers found moments of levity. In the hours before their arrival, Ewan uploaded a video to the marina, half-joking, “Do you have pizza and beer? I repeat, do you have pizza and beer? Over.” (NPR) The simple pleasures—food, family, and a soft bed—took on new meaning after months at sea.
The Maclean brothers’ journey is a testament to the power of resilience, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose. Their story has captured the imagination of people across the world, not just for the record they set, but for the cause they championed. As they reunite with loved ones and take their first steps back into ordinary life, the impact of their extraordinary adventure is sure to ripple far beyond the Pacific.
With their sights still set on their fundraising goal, the Macleans have proven that even the world’s largest ocean can be crossed with determination—and a bit of brotherly love.
