Scottish brothers have worked with Dundee berry specialist Arbuckles for their meals
A Dundee farm’s freeze-dried berries are helping a trio of Scottish adventurers keep scurvy at bay on the high seas.
Jamie, Lachlan and Ewan Maclean are in the midst of an epic, non-stop row from Peru to Australia – a journey of over 9,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean with no support boat.
To fuel their world record attempt, the brothers partnered with Arbuckles, a farm in Invergowrie, Dundee. Run by three brothers themselves, Arbuckles helped preserve 500kg of comforting, nutrient-rich meals.
Best known for their freeze-dried berries, the Arbuckles team worked with the Macleans to test and prepare their home-cooked meals for long-term storage. They also donated a supply of antioxidant-packed honeyberries – naturally rich in vitamin C – to ward off scurvy, a lingering threat on long expeditions.
With an intense rowing schedule demanding over 7,000 calories a day, the brothers planned a high-calorie menu featuring dishes like Scotch beef chilli, Scotch lamb saag with basmati rice, and even a special birthday haggis, neeps and tatties for Lachlan’s birthday on 9 June.
The collaboration began with a simple Google search during the expedition’s planning phase. Middle brother and head of food Jamie Maclean said: “We’re taking on one of the biggest challenges of our lives, and nutrition is key. We need food that will nourish our bodies and lift our spirits – and nothing does that quite like a good home-cooked meal.
“With no support boat and only what we can carry, our nutrition strategy is crucial. We’re so grateful the Arbuckles team were willing to help us out.”
Initially, sourcing a UK company willing to freeze-dry personal meals was a challenge, until they discovered Arbuckles, which is primarily known for freeze-dried berries. Over six to eight months, the brothers and the Arbuckles team worked side-by-side to test, refine, and prepare approximately 1,000 freeze-dried meals – an effort that included multiple rounds of cooking, freeze-drying, rehydrating, and taste testing.
Alongside the main meals, Arbuckles provided freeze-dried strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and their standout honeyberries to supplement the rowers’ diet.
Pawel Lupina of Arbuckles said: “When the Macleans got in touch, we were surprised – we’d never freeze-dried full meals before. But the challenge they’re undertaking is so inspiring, we knew we had to say yes.
“It became a real collaboration, and we’re proud to support their journey with meals and our honeyberries to keep scurvy at bay. Good luck, boys!”
The Maclean brothers are no strangers to challenge. Already world record holders as the first trio of brothers to row across the Atlantic Ocean, they’re now pushing boundaries once again – crossing the vast Pacific Ocean, unsupported, in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments.
