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Each week, former Scotland rugby international Scott Hastings visits take a dip in the coastal area where his partner Jenny ended her life.

He explains the practice brings him solace and enables him to continue her memory by embracing her passion for open water swimming.

A little more than a twelve months prior, the sixty-year-old went missing in the sea at the Edinburgh bay after taking a dip. She was recovered in the region days later.

"I miss Jenny every day," Scott stated. "Jenny possessed an incredible bond with people and likely concentrated on the wellbeing of others rather than her own emotional state."

The couple believed in the therapeutic benefits of physical activity and even led socially distanced aerobics classes for their local community throughout the pandemic.

On the day of her vanishing in last year, Jenny had been visited by a mental health practitioner after her depression took a turn for the more severe.

Scott had arranged to meet her in the afternoon for a swim session in the local waters at her favourite spot in the bay.

During her dark days, Scott said it was a "sanctuary" for her.

But when he realised he did not spot her and instead spotted her buoyancy aid secured close by, he contacted the emergency services for help.

She was located five days later, on the their wedding anniversary.

She had experienced mental health challenges for 20 years before she passed away, and Scott said there had been several scares before.

Returning to the bay has become a regular practice and gives him space to remember the their long-lasting relationship.

"The fact that we enter the water where she took her last swim, it's very thought-provoking and meaningful," he commented. "I won’t hide the fact that it's tough at times."

Now more than a twelve months after Jenny passed, his former sports colleague a friend is undertaking an extraordinary feat to raise money in her honor.

He starts an attempt at swimming the 60-mile length of the Caledonian Canal which connects the eastern sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

He is the initial individual to attempt to swim the waterway which traverses the Highlands, from the western shore at Corpach near Fort William to the east coast at the city.

This means, he will be in the cold water of the canal, which links constructed channels and freshwater lochs, everyday for up to several hours.

He stated Jenny had "courageously battled" her personal struggles and inspired many through her love of open water activities—"an activity she excelled in."

While other individuals have completed individual lochs along the route, Iain has been given authorization from Scottish Canals to pass through all of the locks.

"I think it'll just be about maintaining the body in good condition," he said. "At my age, not 28, and I think trying to do 10km—equivalent to a endurance event—daily for the next ten days will be the challenging part."

A portion of the funds collected will be donated to a mental health charity, in memory of Jenny.

He is also raising money for Crohn's disease and colitis, following his own personal medical struggles, and for the a heart charity after the unexpected passing of his close friend a friend.

Iain will be supported by a support team which includes Scott, who said he may jump in to swim with Iain for a short distance along the route.

"I think it's wonderful because it raises greater attention," noted he. "Iain has been an inspiration for me and it's just continuing that tradition onward."

"Jenny would've loved to have witnessed Iain attempting what he's doing and would be extremely pleased of him. I look forward to get onto the support vessel to cheer on him."