'I go back to the bay where my wife died every week'

Jenny and Scott Hastings first met when they were at school and spent 45 years together

Every week, former Scotland rugby international Scott Hastings returns to swim in the bay where his wife Jenny took her life.

He says it has brought him comfort and allows him to continue her legacy by embracing her love for swimming.

Just over a year ago, the 60-year-old went missing in the water at Wardie Bay in Edinburgh after going for a swim. Her body was found in the area days later.

"I miss Jenny every day," Scott told BBC Breakfast.

"She had this amazing connection with people and probably concentrated on other people's health rather than her own mental health.

"But she was fit and active and wanted people to enjoy life."

Jenny Hastings had spearheaded a charity campaign to help people improve their mental wellbeing

The couple believed in the healing power of exercise and even led socially distanced aerobics classes outdoors for their neighbours during lockdown.

On the day of her disappearance in September 2024, Jenny had been visited by a mental health practitioner after her depression took a turn for the worse.

Scott had arranged to meet her in the afternoon for a swim in the Firth of Forth at her favourite spot in Wardie Bay.

During her dark days, Scott said it was a "place of healing" for her.

But when he realised he couldn't see her and instead saw her buoyancy aid tethered nearby, he contacted the coastguard for help.

Jenny's body was found five days later, on the couple's wedding anniversary.

She had lived with depression for 20 years before she died, and Scott said there had been several scares before.

Jenny disappeared from the couple's Edinburgh home for 36 hours in March 2017 and walked for miles to the Pentland Hills, eventually getting help at a police station.

"When she was well, she was radiant and beautiful and outgoing," he said. "But to see somebody suffer poor mental health was a challenge."

Scott, right, with his two children Corey and Kerry-Anne at Wardie Bay

Returning to Wardie Bay has become a weekly ritual and allows Scott space to reflect on the couple's 45 years together.

"The fact that we swim where she went for her final swim, it's very reflective and resonant," he said.

"I'm not disguising the fact that it's tough sometimes.

"It's been good for me to almost carry on that legacy (since) she so enjoyed her swimming and exercise."

Now just over a year after Jenny died, Scott's former Edinburgh Rugby teammate Iain Sinclair is taking on an exceptional challenge to raise money in her memory.

He begins an attempt at swimming the 60-mile length of the Caledonian Canal which connects the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

He is the first person to attempt to swim the waterway which cuts across the Highlands, from the west coast at Corpach near Fort William to the east coast at Inverness.

This means he will be in the cold water of the canal, which links man-made waterways and freshwater lochs, everyday for up to six hours.

Iain said Jenny had "courageously battled" her mental health challenges and inspired many through her love of outdoor swimming - "a sport she excelled in".

Iain Sinclair will be the first person to swim the entire Caledonian Canal

While other people have swum individual lochs along the way, Iain has been given special permission from Scottish Canals to pass through all of the canal gates.

"I think it'll just be about keeping the body healthy," he said.

"I'm 48, not 28, and I think trying to do 10km - equivalent to a marathon swim - everyday for the next ten days will be the challenging part.

"I'll need to make sure I keep the body fit, healthy and warm because the lochs typically don't get very warm."

Part of the money raised will be donated to a mental health charity, in memory of Jenny.

Iain Sinclair will be in the cold water for up to six hours a day

He is also raising money for Crohn's disease and colitis, following his own serious health issues, and for the British Heart Foundation after the sudden death of his close friend Colin Maguire.

Iain will be backed by a support team which includes Scott, who said he might jump in to join Iain for a few lengths along the way.

"I think it's great because it brings wider awareness," said Scott. "He's been an inspiration for me and it's just taking that legacy forward.

"Jenny would've loved to have seen Iain doing what he's doing and would be so proud of him. I can't wait to get onto the boat to support him."

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