Plastic Duck Travels Over 100 Miles to Islay
A plastic duck released into a Dublin river two decades ago has finally washed ashore more than 100 miles away on the isle of Islay.
The bath toy was one of 150,000 ducks released into the River Liffey in 2006, with the original intention of travelling just one mile down the river.
Unexpected Journey and Previous Sightings
However, the world record attempt saw many of the ducks veer dramatically off course. In recent years, some of these ducks have been found on the Isle of Man and in Orkney.
Discovery by Young Visitor
The latest discovery was made by 12-year-old Emil Wrede from Germany. While holidaying with his family on the island, he spotted the duck on the shore of Lagavulin Bay.
Despite the years spent at sea, the duck’s lettering and numbering remain visible, although faded.
Family's Reaction and Connection to Scotland
Emil's father, Daniel, told BBC Scotland News that the family were delighted to have found the far-travelled duck.
"We had a stroll around the ruins of Dunivaig Castle near Lagavulin and then found the duck on the shore of the Lagavulin bay right by the castle," he said.
"It lay covered in mud, but it has found a new occupation in our accommodation - it is accompanying us in the hot tub."
The family recognized the history of the plastic duck after seeing stories online about others from the Dublin attempt washing ashore.
They are regular visitors to Scotland, with Daniel having fallen in love with the country about 30 years ago when tackling the West Highland Way.
Background of the Duck Race
The ducks were released from the Millennium Bridge in Dublin to raise money for charity. The original winner of the race was awarded a trip to America as their prize.
In 2009, the world record for the largest plastic duck race was set, with 205,000 ducks racing down the River Thames.
Environmental Concerns
In recent years, some environmental campaigners have raised concerns about the impact of this kind of race, stating that they can contribute to littering in rivers.
