Comics attempt risky round-Scotland trip

Comedians John Hopkins and Richard Glover are to sail around the coast of Scotland to get to the Edinburgh festival – despite having no nautical experience.

The duo also face another challenge: the have no money to buy the yacht they need for the dangerous 900-mile trip.

They hope to fund some of the cash by performing gigs on the coast as they sail from Glasgow to Edinburgh – as well as their brief run on the Fringe when they finally arrive in Edinburgh at the end of August.

In a YouTube video to promote Hopkins said: ‘Do we just sit on our arses and take crunch and just wait for work to come in or do we go out and defy the crunch by choosing the most exciting lifestyle we possibly want? So this is the challenge. With no money, buy a boat and learn how to sail it… We’re going to become yachtsmen.’

The duo are hosting a fundraising gig at London’s Pigalle Club next Sunday to raise money for the venture. When they sell the boat after their trips, proceeds will go to the charity Sailability.

Here Hopkins explains the quest:

Published: 1 Jun 2009