An expedition leader’s talk will provide an insight into the latest exhibition at Dumbarton’s maritime museum.
Jim Breen will be speaking at the Denny Tank museum on Saturday, August 13, which is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Scotland’s first major sea kayaking expedition.
The one-off personal talk and tour around Into the Maelstrom: The Scottish Kayak Expedition to North West Norway 1980 is an opportunity to enjoy Jim’s personal memories of the bold expedition which also included the first recorded dual crossing of one of the world’s largest whirlpools, the ‘Maelstrom’.
Jim will tell how he and his friends Angus, Bill and Peter found themselves storm-bound on an island off the west coast of Scotland in 1978 and made a pact to embark on Scotland’s first major sea kayaking expedition together.
Touring the photographs, memorabilia and equipment on display, visitors will hear how, after two challenging years of planning and fundraising, the four friends finally set off.
Paddling 394 miles, they circumnavigated the two island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen in North West Norway, 200 miles within the Arctic Circle, before setting out into the ‘Maelstrom’.
Jim will also share his memories of the challenges of the expedition which included very severe magnetic anomalies, bland meals only alleviated by occasional treats of Angel Delight and Cabana chocolate, as well as food poisoning and an unexpected heatwave.
There will also be an opportunity to ask Jim questions about the 28 day expedition as well as time to explore the exhibition independently.
Tickets for ‘Into the Maelstrom’, which takes place at 11am and 2pm, cost £5 and are available at www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org
