Portree branch sponsor a team in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge brings together teams from all walks of life united by the same objective: to take on the unique challenge of crossing an ocean in a rowing boat.

The atmosphere is electric as people help each other prepare for the challenge of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Teams battle with sleep deprivation, salt sores, and physical extremes inflicted by the race. Rowers are left with their own thoughts, an expanse of the ocean and the job of getting the boat safely to the other side.

Portree branch manager Lachie Gillies has become a member of the 500 Club by sponsoring Atlantic R2R in the 2023 Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge.

Atlantic R2R (Rock2Recovery) is a four-man ocean rowing team based in the Highlands, three members are based on Skye, and one based at Fort Augustus, who are aiming to complete a challenge of epic proportions in the latter end of 2023.

Tom Atkinson. 
Plumber/Joiner/Crofter (Ex-British Army Infantry.) 
Isle of Skye.

Richard Parkinson. 
Self-employed. 
Hospitality industry. 
Isle of Skye.

Jordan Parkinson. 
Yacht crew member. 
Isle of Skye.

Paul Roadnight. 
Serving Infantry Warrant Officer. 
Fort Augustus.

Tom said: “We have set ourselves the task of competing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2023, a 3000-mile rowing race from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua, often dubbed ‘The World’s Toughest Rowing Race’.

We will be completing the row for a veterans’ mental health charity, Rock2Recovery UK. They are a fantastic organisation who provide support to military and blue service personnel when they most need it. We picked this charity due to having served with and known people who are sadly no longer with us after losing their battle with mental health illness.”

We will be following the teams progress closely in the coming months.