From Scotland to the South Seas in a Shetland boat
By Nicholas Grainger
The Voyage of The Aegre –From Scotland to the South Seas in a Shetland boat is a dramatic true account of how a plan to sail a little fishing boat from the Highlands of Scotland down the coast to England turned into a grand trans-Atlantic and Pacific life-changing adventure for Nick (23) and Julie Grainger (19).
It was the 1970s, and their simple wooden boat was equipped with none of the aids modern yachts enjoy. Navigation was by sextant and compass, food cooked on a Primus, and weather forecasting by guesswork. Diligent preparation before they set sail eventually saved their lives in the violent storms and dangers they encountered, vividly described in this absorbing narrative. Their capsize at night in a fierce storm south of Tahiti, and subsequent survival makes a gripping climax to the story.
Brief mentions of this remarkable voyage have appeared in the sailing press over the years, but only now has Nicholas finally written the whole story, of their bold plan, their search for the boat, their detailed preparation, how the plan grew, their eventual voyage halfway round the world and its dramatic conclusion.
Launched in Lerwick, Shetland, in July 2023, 50 years to the day since their departure in 1973, the book tells the story of this long-ago adventure in modern terms, challenging the perspective and expectations of modern adventurers in a gripping, hard-to-put-down story of ambition, resilience, and courage.
You can read many reviews of the book here.
For example: The owner of any small boat who plans to sail, one day, beyond the far horizon, must wonder what they would do if the GPS fails and they don’t have a sextant, or a mast. The answer lies in the story of the Voyage of The Aegre. A terrific adventure. – John Ridgway, 1966 North Atlantic rower, Round the World sailor, Adventurer, Author
Listen to broadcaster Tom Morton of Shetland 60 North Radio Interview Nicholas Grainger.
The story of the Voyage of The Aegre is available as an audiobook (narrated by the author), a paperback, and as an eBook. More details here : Where to buy the book.
- Listen to the audiobook of The Voyage of The Aegre – From Scotland to the South Seas in a Shetland Boat, here:
- Spotify
- G0ogle Play
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- Storytel
- Libro.FM
- Audiobooks.com:
- Amazon Audible (visit your country specific site)
- And other audiobook vendors
This website is a supplement to the book, with much background to the story, Chapter Notes, and more. You can learn a lot about the voyage on this website. See the menu options in the title bar above.
